Burton's Almhouses, London Road

BURTON’S ALMSHOUSES on London-road, Nottingham, were established in 1859, as the date-stone shows. The donor was Miss Ann Burton, and they were intended for the accommodation of twenty-four widows, widowers, or unmarried persons over sixty years of age, in needy circumstances, and of whatsoever religious persuasion they might belong.

Miss Burton lived in Spaniel-row, and was the daughter of a prosperous saddler, and upon the death of her father she inherited his very substantial fortune. Being of a quiet and retiring nature, and having few expensive tastes, she allowed the income from her patrimony to accumulate until she was possessed of a very considerable sum of money.

Part of this sum she devoted to the establishment of these almshouses, and drew up a will disposing of the remainder of her wealth.

However, a sudden seizure proved fatal, and she died without signing her will, in consequence of which a cousin whom she very much disliked came into a large and unexpected fortune.

London-road, besides which these almshouses stand, is of very great interest and antiquity. From time immemorial, down to the middle of last century, when Arkwright-street was formed, it was the only entrance into the town from the south.

In olden days before bricks and mortar held sway over the Meadows, and when the Nottingham crocus was ablow, passengers on stage coaches looked forward to the mile fromn Trent Bridge to Nottingham as being one of the most picturesque runs in England.