300 years of Goring Heath Almshouses

A celebration of 300 years of affordable housing

Goring Heath Almshouses in South Oxfordshire celebrated its 300th Anniversary on 12 September 2026 in the tranquil 23-acre grounds of its Grade 1 listed buildings.

The 65 guests included current and former residents and trustees, Mr David Woodgate, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mr Willie Hartley-Russell, the Chairman of The Almshouse Association and Mr Mark Skidmore, the Chairman of Goring Heath Parish Council.

A special service of celebration in St Bartholomew’s chapel – led by the Charity’s Chaplain, the Rev Ross Hathway – was followed by a sit-down lunch.

Artifacts and documents from the Charity’s history were displayed in the common room. Later, Mr David Woodgate and Mr Garry Forster, the Chairman of the Charity, unveiled a plaque in the grounds near three newly planted copper beech trees to commemorate the event.

The Charity was founded in 1726 by Henry Allnutt, a lawyer and local landowner from the Allnutt family of Ibstone, near Stokenchurch. He bequeathed most of his estate to building the almshouses at Goring Heath for twelve ‘decayed tradesmen’ from local parishes; happily a far cry from today’s residents who live in homes much improved since 1726. Indeed, recent trustees have made significant improvements including installing new back up boilers but there are always new challenges including finding the funds to update the cold water system which will cost some £150,000.

 As Mr Hartley Russell reminded everyone, almshouses have been a bedrock of affordable housing for centuries and he noted that those here at Goring Heath were a perfect example of this.  

Article kindly sent in by Garry Forster, Chairman, The Allnutt & Baker Almshouse and Educational Trust

Photos Credit: Jim Donahue

See also: Goring Heath Almshouses celebrated its 300 Anniversary

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posted 30 September 2026