Former Skipton Workhouse, Skipton, North Yorkshire
This hospital was originally the Skipton Union Workhouse. It was built in 1838-40. In 1839, the Poor Law Commissioners allowed £4,000 for the building. It was to accommodate 200 inmates. Skipton had a reputation as being rather more humane than many other workhouses. In 1852, a local man named Benson Bailey wrote of the "cleanliness, comfort and cheerfulness" of the inmates. The elderly received a tobacco allowance, and in 1871 an excursion to Morecambe was provided for the workhouse children. From 1904, to protect them from disadvantage in later life, the birth certificates for those born in the workhouse gave its address just as 16 Gargrave Road, Skipton. In 1930, control of the workhouse site passed to the West Riding County Council. The site later became Raikeswood Hospital. This closed in 1990.
