St. Anne’s Hospital (Almshouses): A Hidden Gem in Appleby-in-Westmorland

When I’m in Appleby-in-Westmorland, one of my favourite things to do is walk the length of Boroughgate.

You start at the bottom by St. Lawrence’s Church  and the 16th-century Moot Hall , and walk all the way up the wide, historic street towards the gates of Appleby Castle.   

It’s a walk packed with history, but just before you reach the castle, on the left, there’s an unassuming arched stone doorway.

It’s easy to miss. Most visitors walk right past, their eyes fixed on the castle keep ahead.

But if you step through that archway, you find yourself in one of the most peaceful and perfectly preserved places in the Eden Valley.

This is St. Anne’s Hospital, a group of 17th-century almshouses built around a quiet, cobbled courtyard, and it’s a direct, living link to Appleby’s most famous resident.

What You Need to Know: A Practical Guide to Visiting

This isn’t a museum; it’s a living community, so it’s important to be respectful. But visitors are actively welcomed.

• Location: At the high end of Boroughgate in Appleby-in-Westmorland, just before the entrance to Appleby Castle.
• Opening Times: The inner courtyard door is usually open for visitors to look around between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Cost: It is free to enter the courtyard.
• What to See: The beautiful, cobbled courtyard, the brightly coloured doorways of the quaint houses, and the tiny, peaceful chapel.   
• Insider Tip: If you see one of the residents, a polite hello goes a long way. They are often happy to tell you more about the building’s history. You can ask to see inside the chapel, and a small donation for its upkeep is always appreciated.   

The Real Story: More Than Just a Pretty Courtyard

Stepping into that courtyard feels like stepping back in time. The noise from the street disappears, and you’re surrounded by the colourful doors and the quiet chapel.

But for me, the real magic is knowing why it’s here.

This wasn’t just built by anyone. It was founded and endowed by Lady Anne Clifford in 1651.

We all know Lady Anne for her grand, defiant gestures—her 40-year battle to inherit her lands, and her epic restoration of castles like Appleby , Brough , and Pendragon.

But the almshouses show a different side of her character. This wasn’t about power or legacy; it was about genuine concern for the poor widows of Appleby.   

The “Hospital” (in the old sense of the word, meaning a place of hospitality) was specifically built to care for a “Mother, a Reader, and twelve sisters for ever”.

You can see her mission statement for yourself. On a brass plate inside, she left a detailed inscription that reads:

“This Almes House was founded and begun to be built in the year 1651, and was finished and endowed for the yearly maintenance of a Mother, a Reader, and twelve sisters for ever in 1653 by Anne Baronesse Clifford, Cumberland and Vesey, Lady of the Hon. of Skipton in Craven, and Countesse Dowager of Pembroke, Dorsett and Montgomery”.

That’s what makes this place so special. It’s not a ruin or a cold monument. It is a piece of living history, still serving the exact purpose Lady Anne Clifford intended for it almost 400 years ago.

The vicar of Appleby still comes every week to give a service to the residents.

Around the walls are the commandments, bible passages and of course the written rules. In a glass case is a fine example of an extremely old King James bible. I was so saddened to see that a past visitor had ripped the front cover off.

A visit might only take ten minutes, but it gives you a deeper understanding of Appleby, and of Lady Anne, than anywhere else in the town.

When you’re finished, you can continue your walk into the grounds of Appleby Castle  or head back down Boroughgate to explore the rest of the town, but I guarantee that quiet little courtyard will be one of the things you remember most.