Description
The Church Estate Almshouses were established in 1844 for men and women who were members of the C of E. The almshouses were built adjacent to Hickey's Almshouses, and residents were able to use hickey's Chapel. In 1968 two new blocks, each of 4 studio flats, were built on the bombed site of former tenanted property. The terrace of buildings face onto Sheen Road set back behind a garden with lawn, trees and flower borders. To the rear is a secret secluded garden created in the C21st, the work of one of the residents.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Richmond Church Charity Estate |
|---|---|
| Site location | Sheen Road |
| Postcode | TW10 |
| What3Words | ///mini.beam.smooth |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Richmond |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for residents only |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (District): Richmond then bus. Rail: North Sheen then bus. Bus: 33, 337, 493 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Richmond Church Charity Estate is probably the oldest charity in Richmond, thought to have been founded in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I by Thomas Owings who bequeathed land for the use of the poor of the parish, but it may date back as far as 1375 with an endowment provided by Merton Priory. In May 2004, the Church Estate Almshouses were transferred to Richmond Charities' Almshouses, and the Church Estate is now known as Richmond Church Charity Estate/
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ187751 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | The Richmond Charities |
| Site Management | contractors: Bridges Landscaping and Roscoe Landscaping |
| Dates | 1844 |
| Listed Structures | LB: Almshouses |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Richmond |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | St Matthias and Sheen Road |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Hickey's Almshouses were designed by architect Louis Vulliamy, a range of neo-Tudor style buildings with very high chimneys. At the front is a porter's lodge, built 1850-3 and substantial railings form the boundary with Sheen Road. A plaque over the entrance records that the almshouses were built 'for ten poor men and ten poor women by the bounty of William Hickey Esq. who by his Will bequeathed certain Lands and Houses in Richmond in Trust for Charitable Purposes'. Hickey (d.1728) is buried in the churchyard of Richmond Parish Church of St Mary. The almshouses are set back behind a large garden of lawns with a few trees. A central path leads from the entrance gate and continues around the perimeter, with some flowers planted inside the lodge entrance.
Houblon's Almshouses were founded in 1757 by Rebecca and Susanna Houblon, who vested the site for the almshouses and c.1 hectare of land at the rear, together with property in Harrow and Essex to endow the Almshouses. The walled almshouses were built in 1758, and are among the oldest to survive in Richmond. They comprise a range of three 2-storey blocks around 3 sides of a central garden. The pedimented entrance bay carries the inscription: 'These almshouses were erected and endowed by Mrs Rebecca and Mrs Susannah Houblon 1758'.
Pesthouse Common was part of the extensive common land in this area, its name suggesting a connection with a plague hospital. In 1785 King George III gave the parish certain parts of Pesthouse Common as compensation for shutting public rights of way up Love Lane when he was improving Richmond Park. Mature lime and horse chestnut trees border the site.
