Colstons Almshouses

Colstons Almshouses is a historic building on St Michaels Hill, Bristol, England. It was built in 1691 and has been designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building.[1][2] The front wall and gates are also Grade I listed.[3] They are named after the Bristol-born merchant, philanthropist, slave trader, and Member of Parliament Edward Colston.

Colstons Almshouses
Colstons Almshouses
Location within Bristol
General information
Town or city	Bristol
Country	England
Coordinates	51°27′29″N 2°35′54″W
Completed	1691
Client	Edward Colston

The almshouses were founded by Edward Colston for twelve inmates.[4] They were expected to attend the chapel twice a day for a prayer reading.[5] The baroque chapel contains panels made from ships' timbers and has a barrel vault.[2] On the front wall of the chapel is a plaque to Colston.[5]

It is a two-storey limestone building with hipped roofs with triangular canopies over the individual front doors.[5] The building is U shaped, arranged around a courtyard with a wall forming the front of the complex.[2] The windows are divided by stone mullions and transoms.[5] There is a central bell cupola.[2]

The building was renovated in 1988.[6] The home provides twelve one-bedroom flats, laundry and communal lounge and a garden. The Society of Merchant Venturers is the trustee for the Almshouses.[7]