The Hext Almshouses

THE HEXT ALMSHOUSES, WEST STREET

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1295258
Date first listed:
17-Apr-1959
List Entry Name:
The Hext Almshouses
Statutory Address:
THE HEXT ALMSHOUSES, WEST STREET
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Date:
2002-10-07
Reference:
IOE01/08935/29
Rights:
© Mr John Barker. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1295258
Date first listed:
17-Apr-1959
Date of most recent amendment:
30-Sept-1985
List Entry Name:
The Hext Almshouses
Statutory Address 1:
THE HEXT ALMSHOUSES, WEST STREET

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
THE HEXT ALMSHOUSES, WEST STREET

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Somerton
National Grid Reference:
ST4880128510

Details

ST4828 SOMERTON CP WEST STREET (South side)

8/255 The Hext Almshouses
(formerly listed as Almshouses)

17.4.59

GV II*

Almshouses. Dated 1626 remodelled 1883 and 1967. Local lias stone cut and squared with Ham stone dressings; undulating
plain clay tile roof between coped gables having gabletted finial at east end and small stone bell turret, without
bell, to west; brick and stone chimney stacks to rear. Single storey 8 bays, formerly one bay to each house, but now
modified; each bay has a boarded and studded door in chamfered cambered archway, then a 2-light hollow chamfer
mullioned window, then semi-circular arched niche seats for the occupants, appearing in pairs as alternate bays were
handed; all right hand (even number bays) doors now blocked: continuous string over all openings; in centre stone
plaque with painted arms inscribed 'E.H/He hath Dispersed/abroad and Given/to the Poor/His Benevolence/Remaineth for
ever/1626", flanked by 1967 tablets recording latest restoration. Interior not seen. Started by Sir Edward Hext before
he died in 1624 and intended for 8 men; this was reduced to 4 in 1883 when the premises were remodelled. (VCH, Volume
III, 1974).


Listing NGR: ST4880128510

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
263063
Legacy System:
LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Page, W, The Victoria History of the County of Somerset, (1974)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of The Hext Almshouses

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 19-Jun-2026 at 04:51:29.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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