The Earl of Rutland's Hospital

Founded in the 16th Century

By Neil Fortey

Standing by the ford where the route north out of the village crossed the River Devon, the 'Rutland Hospital' was founded in 1591 by the Elizabeth, Countess of Rutland, wife of the 4th Earl of Rutland, as an almshouse. The stone building, its striped appearance due to the use of local red sandstone and paler stone from further afield, is backed by second brick-built range of the 17th Century.