Plaque

British History Online gives the origins of the Drapers Almshouses, from 1642 when they were built on what is now Borough Road at the junction with Borough High Street. In 1819–20 Borough Road was being developed and the City Corporation offered the parish a new site next to the Rowland Hill Almshouses in what became {see * below} Hill Street (now Glasshill Street), together with £1,250 towards the rebuilding, in exchange for the old site.

That left us wondering where the Rowland Hill Almshouses were. This 1895 map shows the "Drapers Almshouses" with another "Almshouses" immediately to the south, between the Drapers and the railway. This is in the traditional 'U' shape and is surely the Rowland Hill Almshouses (also known as the Surrey Chapel Almshouses), pictured here. The institution moved to Ashford in 1895 and its Glasshill buildings were demolished shortly after.

This street was at one time known as Hill Street and, there being no incline, we assume that was for the Rowland Hill Almshouses.

* There are many references (e.g. LookandLearn) to Rowland Hill creating almshouses in Gravel Lane. British History Online states that Gravel Lane was adjacent to Surrey Chapel. So, either Hill created two almshouses or Hill Street was previously known as Gravel Lane and BHO got the proximity to the Chapel wrong.

The almshouses are behind a luxuriant garden which makes photographs difficult, which is a pity since the windows are very elegant.