Spitalgate Lane, Cirencester

I love the name Spitalgate Lane and have always wanted to stop and have a look at the ruins there which we usually drive by in a hurry to get somewhere! Today I had a dentist appointment in Cirencester and after parking I was able to walk past for a change which gave me an opportunity to see the ruins up close and find out a bit about them. 

Apparently, in the Middle Ages 'hospitals' were run by monks who looked after the poor and sick as best they could.  These ruins, St John the Evangelist & Chantry, formed part of Cirencester Abbey and below is a little bit about them if you're interested!

"St John’s Hospital and Chantry is located on Spitalgate Lane, to the north of Cirencester’s medieval abbey. It was founded by Henry I in about AD 1133 and survived to the present time as an alms house. 

Surviving from the ancient hospital is the main portion of the old infirmary hall, but without its side aisles. It is of roughly coursed limestone rubble, comprising four bays, with arcades of two-centred chamfered arches supported by cylindrical columns with scalloped capitals. The plain, gabled roof has a rubblestone gable at the east end and a later timber truss on top of its west gable."