The almshouses were founded in 1600 by Sir George Wright during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603).

Located in Petersham Road (the lower road under Richmond Hill), the almshouses were built under the same roof and provided accommodation for 8 poor elderly women. Each almswoman had two rooms.

Known originally as the Lower Almshouses, they were later renamed Queen Elizabeth's Almshouses.

By 1767 the building was derelict. William Turner arranged for the almshouses to be rebuilt on land at the top of his estate in The Vineyard, nearby to Michel's Almshouses. Public subscription raised funds for the building work.

In 1826 the almswomen were receiving a monthly stipend of £1, as well as a yearly allowance for bread, cheese and beer to the value of £4 10 shillings (£4.50), from the charity of Mrs Sarah Gaudy Debatt. The women also received clothing from the charity of Charles Selwyn. In the course of the year, a supply of coal costing £15 was divided equally among them.

Almost 100 years later, the almshouses were rebuilt again in 1857.

During WW2 (1939-1945) the buildings received some bomb damage.

In 1955 the almshouses were rebuilt once again. They now consist of four single-bedroom houses.

Current status