St John's Hospital Bath

Images of Britain: St John's Hospital, Bath, South West England

St John's Bath in Bath dates from 1174 and was founded by the French Bishop of Bath at the time, Reginald Fitz Jocelin to provide food and shelter for the poor and vulnerable in the city. It is one of the oldest almshouses in Britain and is now the St John's Foundation.

Built close to the Cross Baths, the almshouse was administered by Bath Abbey. The hospital avoided confiscation during HenryVIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries by appointing a non-clerical Master.

The present building dates from the 18th century. First architect William Killigrew began the project and it was finished by John Wood the Elder - his first work in Bath.

The Grade I listed building in Bath stone is Palladian in style.

Other buildings in Chapel Court include St Catherine's dating from 1824 and now luxury accommodation and the late 16th century Clock Tower - one of Bath's earliest-known public clocks.

Address: 4-5 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1SQ.