Lord Leycester Hospital’s 450th Anniversary Campaign

 In 2021, the Lord Leycester Hospital will celebrate 450 years since it was founded by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester as a home for aged and wounded military veterans, a role it still performs today.  However, the stunning medieval architecture – one of the best preserved examples of medieval courtyard architecture in Britain – is  crumbling before our eyes.  Plasterwork is flaking off, timbers are rotting and stonework is showing the evidence of centuries of weathering.
 
If we do not act soon, it is likely that many areas of the Hospital will become unsafe and unusable.
 
LLH 450 is a £4 million project of restoration, improvement and engagement to transform the estate into a thriving and welcoming visitor attraction, fit for the 21st century, whilst remaining true to its core mission of veteran care.
 
The successful completion of these works, allied to a dynamic programme of education and interpretation, will ensure that the Lord Leycester Hospital can continue to perform its dual roles for generations to come. Its buildings will be fully restored and an ever-increasing number of visitors will be able to enjoy its many treasures. Financial stability will be guaranteed and the future of the Lord Leycester Hospital will be secured.
 
Project Highlights
 
Capital works fall into two categories: essential restoration and conservation of the medieval fabric including almshouse dwelling and the development of new facilities that will greatly enhance the experience for all visitors of all ages. This will include the creation of new exhibition spaces, improved access for those with disabilities, and significant improvements to the Hospital’s commercial offering, so vital to its long-term sustainability and its ability to perform its historic role.
 
Modern interpretation will be introduced across the estate, including within the 500 year old gardens, so that the 700 year story of continuous service to the community of Warwick can be told in an engaging and interactive fashion whilst much of the Hospital’s extensive archive will be conserved, digitised and displayed for the first time.
 
A major programme of education and engagement activities will be introduced, enabling all sectors of the community to better appreciate this ‘hidden gem’ of Warwick’s heritage. Both the capital works and the activity programme will enable the Lord Leycester Hospital to engage with volunteers, provide vocational skills training and become a dynamic and much-valued asset to the people of Warwick and beyond.
 
In addition, the Hospital’s 12 almshouses will be restored and upgraded, modifying the internal accommodation to suit the needs of younger veterans with serious injuries.
 
Making it happen
 
The project has already attracted £1.6m in grants, donations and support in kind, and we are currently preparing a Round 2 application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) (formerly Heritage Lottery Fund) for a further grant of £1.3m.
 
We are asking everyone who shares our passion for the Hospital to please help us secure the remaining £1.1m in gifts and pledges by May 2021 to help us secure a successful NLHF Round 2 submission.
Every gift, however large or small, will make a difference.
 
For more information, please contact the Master on master@lordleycester.com or call 01926 491 422 or click below.

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