George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury (1611 – 1633) and possibly the most famous
Guildfordian in the town’s history, founded The Hospital of the Blessed Trinity in 1619.
Better known today as Abbot’s Hospital, this building continues to offer town centre
accommodation to the community as it has done for nearly 400 years.

Abbot’s Hospital, a magnificent Jacobean building, is opposite Holy Trinity Church,
the final resting place of George Abbot, and is just metres away from Abbot’s memorial
statue at the junction with Upper High Street.

We provide a sociable and supportive environment for our elderly residents who enjoy
living in the heart of the town, at the top of Guildford’s historic and distinctive High Street.

Successive generations of Governors at Abbot’s Hospital have worked faithfully to preserve
the magnificent building and artefacts entrusted to their care. However, four centuries of
daily use have taken their toll and further work on the Grade 1 listed fabric and artefacts is
now urgently required. To address the conservation challenge our Heritage Appeal was
launched in 2004.

Fully aware of the significance of this building, the Governors are determined that the
Hospital becomes more accessible to the wider public while continuing to respect the
residents’ privacy.

The Hospital offers up to 26 residents, all who have qualifying Guildford connections,
the comfort of life in a collegiate setting. Originally accommodation was for single people
only but, a new block built in 1984, enables a total of 7 couples and 12 single residents
to live here.