About Stoke Hospital

In the second half of the 18th Century William and Henry Parson carried on a successful trade as linen and woollen drapers in a shop situated where Tunsgate Square is now, just off the High Street in Guildford. When the brothers retired they determined to build and endow a Hospital intended for the benefit of poor widows. Henry died before the scheme could be put into effect, but William completed the project and the building was finished in 1796. The original accommodation was for six residents, who each had two rooms and a patch of ground to grow vegetables. There are two brass memorials to the brothers, bearing their heraldic arms, in Stoke Church, where they worshipped.

Qualifying as a resident used to involve being a “poor widow” of “good character” and there were many rules to adhere to. Now, the criterion for residence is to consider people in need aged over 50 who have a connection with the county of Surrey, but that preference will be given to female applicants over the age of 55 who have lived in the Borough of Guildford.