Lord Leycester Hospital & Queen's Own Hussars Museum

The Lord Leycester Hospital is not now, and has never been, a medical establishment. The word ‘hospital’ is used in its ancient sense meaning “a charitable institution for the housing and maintenance of the needy, infirm or aged”.

In 1571 Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Leycester), founded a home for those wounded in the service of the Queen, and her successors, and this use continues to the present day. 

The magnificent black & white Elizabethan timbered buildings, galleried and richly gabled, were formerly used by the town guild. 

The buildings include the Great Hall, where Fulke Greville once entertained James I, and has a superb medieval oak roof, the Guildhall (now a museum), and the Chaplain's Hall, now the Queen's Own Hussars, Regimental Museum.

Behind the ancient buildings of the Lord Leycester Hospital lies the tranquil oasis of the Master's Garden.

Bounded by the old town walls, and entered via a knot garden, the planting of this 600 year old garden reflects its past and acknowledges the present.

Features include a Norman arch, a sandstone urn dating back 2000 years, thatched summer house, gazebo and pineapple pit.

Many TV and film productions have used this beautiful building as a location including the recent David Dimbleby series How We Built Britain.

There is also an excellent Tea Room (Brethren's Kitchen).