Hickey's Almshouses

Hickey's Almshouses is a residential complex in Tudor Revival style, composed of individual homes arranged symmetrically around a central chapel. The site includes gate lodges and offers contemporary facilities within a historic setting.

The complex was founded in 1834 based on William Hickey's legacy, who provided wealth for this purpose. Architect Lewis Vulliamy designed it as a response to the housing shortage for elderly people without sufficient means.

These residences grew from private generosity in the 1800s, when wealthy individuals felt obliged to help elderly people struggling financially. The place shows how communities of that era took responsibility for their vulnerable members.

The site is today primarily a residential complex for older people and not accessible as a regular tourist attraction. The exterior can be admired from the Richmond grounds, though visitors should keep distance out of respect for residents.

The roofline shows characteristic steep gable roofs and slender chimneys based on designs from English country houses of the 1500s. These architectural details make the site a textbook example of how Victorians reinterpreted historical English building styles.

Location: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Inception: 1834

Architectural style: Tudor Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 51.46240,-0.29040

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:09