The Lord Leycester hospital NEWS:
The Lord Leycester Hospital is closed due to the new government TIER 4 restrictions until further notice.
Call 01926 492797 or 01926 491422 if you require further help.
The Brethren's Kitchen, our 500 year old Café, is also closed until further notice due to TIER 4 restrictions.
(During regular opening times: The Brethren's Kitchen opens Tuesday -Sunday 10am - 4pm, closed on Mondays, except Bank Holidays.
Call 07307 621 877 if you want to make a reservation, although there is no need to book we would recommend booking for Sunday lunch.)
A little about THE LORD LEYCESTER HOSPITAL:
The Lord Leycester Hospital is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval courtyard architecture in England and is a charity supporting ex-servicemen. This Grade 1 listed building is located in Warwick, England, next to the West Gate, on 60 High Street. The Lord Leycester Hospital is a prominent and internationally famous feature of Warwick. For almost 900 years buildings have been erected and civic activity has taken place on the site, starting with the chapel built in 1126.
The site was donated by the 12th Earl of Warwick in the 14th century to the United Guild of the Holy Trinity and St George. The Guild Hall, Great Hall and Master's House were constructed in the late 15th century. Over the centuries, the ancient buildings and 500 year old gardens have been admired by many famous visitors such as Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde, by Kings and Queens, such as King George V and the Queen Mother and travellers from around the world!
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth I the buildings became, under the patronage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a place of retirement for old warriors who had fought in the Elizabethan era wars. These soldiers are known to this day as the Brethren and, with the Master, still live within the walls of the building.
The site was donated by the 12th Earl of Warwick in the 14th century to the United Guild of the Holy Trinity and St George. The Guild Hall, Great Hall and Master's House were constructed in the late 15th century. Over the centuries, the ancient buildings and 500 year old gardens have been admired by many famous visitors such as Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde, by Kings and Queens, such as King George V and the Queen Mother and travellers from around the world!
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth I the buildings became, under the patronage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a place of retirement for old warriors who had fought in the Elizabethan era wars. These soldiers are known to this day as the Brethren and, with the Master, still live within the walls of the building.
"The history is astonishing, and the fact that it's been in use continuously over many years, the link to veterans and the good work which is still going on is incredible and very worthy."
"I enjoyed everything so much, the entrance fee was worth every penny. A real treat for a history lover - authentic, special, and fascinating."
"It was like a step back in time ...so much history and architecture, well worth a visit ..."
"I enjoyed everything so much, the entrance fee was worth every penny. A real treat for a history lover - authentic, special, and fascinating."
"It was like a step back in time ...so much history and architecture, well worth a visit ..."
The Brethren’s Kitchen has been serving food for 500 years to Kings and Queens, Guildsmen, Tudor Earls, and Victorian literary and artistic figures.
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The beautiful, tranquil Master’s Garden, open all year, features a Victorian pineapple pit, a 2,000 year old “nilometer” used in ancient Egypt to measure the height of the Nile and a small thatched summer house favoured by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
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Visit the Guild Hall where the Guildsmen of Warwick met around the very same table that sits in the hall today six hundred years later; see the Chair specially built for James I for a three day Banquet at the Lord Leycester in 1617; and step back in time to the middle ages!
At the Lord Leycester, we want to ensure that our visitors have the best experience possible.
Please fill out our survey here so that we can continuously improve!
Please fill out our survey here so that we can continuously improve!
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Home page photograph (The Lord Leycester Front) by Paul Miller:
www.pmillerphotography.com
www.pmillerphotography.com
