Penge

Penge Almshouses

Penge Alms-houses - Monday 11th September 2017

Having given Members a short talk at the Society meeting the previous week, David Johnson was the knowledgeable guide on a visit to some of the alms-houses and related buildings in Penge.

Starting from Crystal Palace Park and passing under the railway bridges whose arrival in the 1830s and 40s had made Penge a desirable location to live in the mid 19th century, the group arrived at the imposing King William's Naval Asylum.

Click on the top two or bottom two images below to see a larger version - you can then move forward or back using the arrows on either side.

This was erected by the widowed Queen Adelaide in 1848 in memory of her "Sailor King" husband.
Button
The visitors were then lucky enough to be invited inside to view one of the 12 houses and the courtyard garden which can be glimpsed through the archway.
Button

Not far away are the Alms-houses for retired Watermen and Lightermen built in 1841 on two acres of land gifted by John Dudin–Brown, a wealthy member of the Watermans Company who lived nearby.

This group of 46 cottages, designed as three terraces around a courtyard garden are built in mock Tudor style with a distinctive gate tower and stone gateposts make a distinctive feature on Penge High Street. Since 1973 it has been used as private homes, the same year it was Grade II listed.
Button

Brickwok detail but with a different date.
Button
The walk then concluded at the adjacent St. John's Church where the vicar welcomed the group and described its history since being built in this location in 1850. Its post war glass depicts the history of Penge over the last 200 years.
Button