BBC News and several other outlets have been reporting that an almshouse charity discovered one of its artworks is valued at £3.5m, which has now sold for £5.2m.
St John’s Almshouse in Sherborn, Dorset, a Grade I listed almshouse, with its history closely entwined with Sherborne Abbey and reaching back to the time of King Stephen, is now facing the painful necessity of parting with “a piece of the family silver”: a 15th-century painting of great historic value. The buildings, though cherished, have become financially unsustainable to maintain, placing their very status as functioning almshouses under real threat, with residents losing their homes.
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, spoke with bittersweet clarity about the decision:
“It is profoundly sad that such a wonderful work of art must be sold. Yet these almshouses have offered refuge and dignity to people in need since the 11th century. They are not only part of our national heritage, but they also remain living, life-enhancing homes for some of the 36,000 residents we support across the UK. Unlike many historic buildings, almshouses are not museums; they are places of safety, warmth, and belonging for people in housing need. The cost of sustaining Grade I listed buildings is immense, but the cost of losing their purpose after centuries is far greater. Without this sale, these historic almshouses could cease to operate as homes, becoming a museum piece or private dwelling. The funds raised will enable the charity to build six new almshouses for local people facing housing hardship, ensuring that the spirit and purpose of this remarkable site endures.”
posted 3 December 2025, updated 4 December