Portwey Hospital, former workhouse and hospital located at Weymouth, Dorset, England
Portwey Hospital is a Grade II listed building in Weymouth that was originally built in 1836 as a workhouse and later served as a hospital. The structure is made of Portland stone with a simple facade, multiple windows, and a functional layout designed for its original purpose.
The building was constructed in 1836 as a workhouse following designs by Samson Kempthorne, a renowned architect for such institutions. It was converted to hospital use in 1939 and operated for medical care until closing in 1987, after which it was redeveloped into residential apartments called Union Court.
The building served as a place of social support and later medical care for the local community over many decades. Its straightforward design reflects the practical role it held for generations of Weymouth residents.
The building is located on Wyke Road in Weymouth and is easy to identify with its stone features and straightforward lines. It sits in an area with historic buildings and narrow streets that make walking through the neighborhood straightforward and pleasant.
The building was originally a workhouse with strict conditions for residents and later became a place of maternity care, showing how social provision changed over nearly two centuries. Its redevelopment into apartments called Union Court even won an award from the local civic society for its quality and integration.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
