Slee's Almshouses
Slee's Almshouses were founded in 1610 by George Slee a wealthy Tiverton wool merchant. The almshouses were erected posthumously in 1613 in accordance to Slee's will. The building is still occupied today with four one bedroom flats.
Next to the Slee's Almshouses, is the Great House of St George, which is also a listed building. The ornate chest tomb of George Slee can be visited in Tiverton's St Peter's Church, a testament to the philantropic deeds of Slee and his contribution to the development of the town. Slee manufactured and exported Tiverton kerseys, a course wollen cloth, which was transported via the River Exe to the port of Exeter.
The plaque on the exterior of the building reads:
TIVERTON ALMSHOUSE CHARITY SLEES ALMSHOUSES 1613AD
George Slee of the Great House, Tiverton, Manufacturer and Exporter of Tiverton kersies, financed the erection of these Almshouses as home for six poor widows or maidens of the Town in the year 1613.
They were fully modernised in 1983 and now comprise four flats named after four recent trustees, Mrs. Barrington, Miss Molland, Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Strong.
To the right of the text is the Staple Mark of George Slee Merchant.
Location
Slee's Almshouses, Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon
Historic Categorisations and Statutes
Statutory Heritage Listing
Grade: II* (Grade Two Star). This ranking places it among the top 6% of protected buildings in the country, signifying it as a "particularly important building of more than special interest."
List Entry Number: 1384950
Date First Listed: February 12, 1952
Significance: A remarkable survival of early 17th-century vernacular architecture. It is noted for its "squared purplish stone rubble" and its distinctive timber-framed gallery—a rare feature for almshouses of this period—along with original heavy oak doors and stone-mullioned windows.
Local Designations
Tiverton Civic Society Blue Plaque: The building displays a plaque commemorating George Slee, a prominent Tiverton clothier and merchant who founded the charity to support poor widows of the town.
Conservation Area: A vital component of the Tiverton Conservation Area, it stands directly opposite the Old Blundell's School site, forming one of the most complete 17th-century streetscapes in Devon.
Site Components & Heritage Records
The Almshouse Row: A two-story range originally divided into six separate dwellings for "six poor, ancient and honest widows."
The Gallery: An internal courtyard-facing timber balcony that provided access to the upper floor rooms.
Historic Environment Record (HER): Indexed in the Devon & Dartmoor HER under ID MDV1360.
Chronology of Historic Uses
1610: Founded and endowed by the will of George Slee (died 1613) to provide housing for the elderly and destitute.
1613–1900s: Continuously occupied as charitable housing, surviving the various fires and industrial changes that reshaped Tiverton.
2000s: Subject to careful modernization of the interiors to ensure the dwellings met modern living standards while preserving the exterior historic fabric.
Current/Recent: Still functions in its original capacity as sheltered housing, managed by the Tiverton Almshouse Trust.
Useful Links
River Exe Explores the River Exe’s historical role in Tiverton’s industrial past and outlines its modern features, including flood defenses and scenic riverside walks.
St Peter's Church Detailing its Grade I listed architecture, 16th-century carvings, and historical significance as the site of the first "Wedding March" performance. It offers practical visitor information, including opening times, accessibility details, service schedules, and information on the church’s active community groups and charitable work.
Great House of St George Highlights the Great House of St George, a Grade II* listed Jacobean merchant’s townhouse built around 1613 by philanthropist George Slee. It provides historical context on its origins as a home and wool trade guild headquarters, outlines its rare architectural features—including Tudor-arched doorways and original screens—and notes its preservation as a Scheduled Monument and key stop on Tiverton's "Merchants' Trail."
