Description
Cleave's Almshouses were founded in 1668, built at the bequest of William Cleave, who left a legacy of land and money to build the almshouses, ‘for the maintenance of twelve poor people of the parish of honest life and reputation, for ever'. Additional homes were built in 1880, 1910 and 2003, eventually creating a quad surrounding a quiet garden. The almshouses remain among the oldest surviving buildings in Kingston. The London Road frontage has a strip of garden with lawn, flower beds and a line of trees inside the low brick wall to the road, with an internal garden overlooked by the houses.
Practical Information
| Site location | 48-71 Old London Road, Kingston |
|---|---|
| Postcode | KT1 2AU |
| What3Words | ///shadow.analogy.plank |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Kingston |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Rail: Kingston. Bus: K1, K2 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
William Cleave (1572-1667) was an Alderman of the City of London, a member of the Haberdashers Company, and had a house in Kingston. When he died he left a number of bequests, including a legacy of his property in Kingston, together with £500 to build almshouses for 'six old men and six old women'. Cleave was buried in the parish church of All Saints (q.v.). The twelve dwellings were completed by 1670, constructed of local brick, and each almshouse had an upper and lower room. Central to the range was a communal hall, over the entrance of which were the founder's arms and date of foundation. The inmates were also provided with a silver plate engraved with Cleave's arms to wear on their sleeve. Initially the beneficiaries were to be ‘six poor men and six poor women' who were aged over 60 years old and single, but in 1889 married couples were able to benefit. In 1880 the Trustees of the almshouses had had sufficient funds to enable them to erect four further houses for additional residents, two men and two women. Kingston Corporation had responsibility for the Almshouse Trust that ran Cleave's Almshouses, and the residents were selected by the Court of Assembly.
In 1910 10 more houses were built at the back of the site, which created an internal garden area for the residents' use. In the 1990s the C19th houses were converted into single storey accommodation and the original 12 almshouses were refurbished. Finally, in 2003, a legacy from Miss Blanche Audric enabled a plot of land to be purchased and another terrace of 6 houses was built, completing the quad around the garden. Cleave's Almshouses continue to be run by Kingston-upon-Thames United Charities and provide housing for poor men and women over 60 who are residents of the borough.
In 1910 10 more houses were built at the back of the site, which created an internal garden area for the residents' use. In the 1990s the C19th houses were converted into single storey accommodation and the original 12 almshouses were refurbished. Finally, in 2003, a legacy from Miss Blanche Audric enabled a plot of land to be purchased and another terrace of 6 houses was built, completing the quad around the garden. Cleave's Almshouses continue to be run by Kingston-upon-Thames United Charities and provide housing for poor men and women over 60 who are residents of the borough.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ184693 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Kingston-upon-Thames Almshouses |
| Site Management | Kingston-upon-Thames Almshouses |
| Dates | 1668-70; 1880s; 1910; 2003 |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: Cleave's 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 | Kingston |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Archaeological Significance |
| Other LA Designation | Green Corridor along London Road |
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
Fairfield Recreation Ground was provided as a public recreation ground in 1865 but had long existed as a market and meeting place. It continued to be used for livestock trading into the C20th, for example for Kingston Horse Fair from 1866 and a cattle market from 1925. It was also the venue for town celebrations and pageants. Today it is used for sports and informal recreation, a rectangular, largely grassed site that still has its Victorian railings. It is divided north / south by a path flanked by an avenue of mature lime trees, with trees around its perimeter including lime and London plane. Silver maple and cherry are among other trees planted in the park.
Kingston War Memorial Gardens was originally set up as an overflow burial ground to the parish churchyard in 1826. It closed in 1855 when the new Kingston Cemetery opened outside the town centre. It was laid out as public garden, with gravestones moved to the perimeter. The War Memorial was unveiled in 1923. Kingston's annual Remembrance Day service takes place in the War Memorial Gardens
St Peter's Church in Norbiton was the first of Gilbert Scott's seven Commissioners Churches, and opened in 1842. A yellow and white brick building in Norman style, St Peter's was not completed according to Scott's original designs due to lack of funds, and he was apparently displeased with it. In c.1869 the chancel and baptistery were added. A photograph of c.1900 shows the church with railings to the road, entrance gateway with overthrow flanked by stone piers, and the churchyard with evergreen and deciduous trees. The churchyard today is bounded by a wall, the railings and gateway no longer in place.
