History of the hospital quoted from a sign on the gateway that enters the courtyard:
“Take a moment to imagine coming home to me more than 500 years ago for very little here has changed. Founded by wealthy wool merchant and benefactor William For, I began life in 1509, the same year Henry VIII ascended to the throne…. I wonder did he ever visit during his dissolution of Coventry’s monasteries?
I am proud to be a Grade I listed building and generally considered to be one of the finest examples of 16th century domestic building in England.
I was originally built to house 5 elderly men along with a lady housekeeper but with later endowments I grew to accommodate ii couples all of whom would also receive a weekly allowance. Presently I have 5 residents of “good character” under my roof. along with many of my neighbours I suffered badly during WWII. My matron, her assistant and 6 residents taking shelter in the matron’s chamber all perished when on 14th October 1940 I took a direct hit during an air raid. While searching through the bomb damage Coventry historian John Shelton discovered some 14th century floor tiles, one of which bore the Black Eagle, a design of the Earl of Leofric. It is now believed that even before me a Chapel once stood on this site.
By 1953 I had been resorted, using wherever possible original materials and I remain an attraction to many visitors to the city today.
So as you look through the iron gate into the courtyard you are witnessing the site of a meeting between two of the nation’s great literary figures. Dr Who meets William Shakespeare!! Yes in 2006 David Tennant and his crew filmed and episode right here in my yard.
Who knows what else the future, or the past may hold for me?”
My son and I visited there a few years ago just because of the Dr Who connection. Coventry has some super buildings of interest and of course there are the two cathedrals.
Our visit was for the Cathedrals but Mr C noticed this near to where we had park. I don’t think he noticed the Dr Who connection
I actually quite enjoyed Coventry!
It’s a shame that the Transport Museum is no longer free though.
Oh have you been to Beaulieu? That’s also a transport museum there.
We have been to both those transport museums. This time our visit was to focus on the cathedrals.
Oh you didn’t have their famous Godiva chocolate?
Is it really from Coventry though?
We often indulge in Godiva chocolate for a treat having first encountering it in Mechelen.
It is always the Ballotine assortment