Great Linford Almshouses

The Great Linford Almshouses are Grade II* listed buildings associated with Great Linford Manor located in Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes. They were built in 1696 to serve as homes for the poor and school. The Almshouses were added to the National Heritage list for England in 1952. They were unused from the 1960s, and now with the Park’s recent National Lottery funding and significant restoration, the Almshouses have been converted into public and private space. The restoration and repurposing of the Almshouses was focused around preserving the heritage of the site and the historic Landscape.

Client and Contract Period

The Parks Trust

2021-2023

Project Objectives

Arkwood were commissioned for RIBA stage 2 by The Milton Keynes Parks Trust to create several options for a redesign of the public greenspace as well as bespoke planting design surrounding the Almshouses. The Almshouses redevelopment was focused on the conservation of the heritage site which dates back to 1696, while also repurposing the buildings and surrounding gardens for modern use – attracting visitors to the site to engage with the houses’ history. The provision of commercial aspects will generate financial income to contribute to the conservation of the historic building.

The Almshouses were converted into four commercial lets, a single residential space in the central building, an interpretation room, public toilets and a volunteer/ community support space for the Friends of Great Linford Manor Park. The repurposed Almshouses are a significant heritage asset to Great Linford Manor Park, with the building now providing improved public access and facilities which will help engage people with their local heritage.

Issues, Challenges, and Outcomes

The existing historic elements of the site were taken into consideration while implementing new additions to materials, planting and colour scheme to create a sense of cohesion with old and new. A large part of our involvement in the project was the redesign of the isolated back garden. The inspiration for the garden design comes from the women of the Great Linford Almshouses, more specifically picking up on the recurrence of female lace-makers living and working in the Almshouses. In addition, we introduced sustainable local materials with historic significance such as Limestone to reduce associated carbon emissions whilst celebrating local history.

Making public spaces accessible for all was a key focus of our design plans. The standard which we implemented includes guidance on how parks, landscape areas and approaches to buildings and the spaces between and around buildings are inclusive and can meet the needs of all who use it (not only disabled people). The standard covers the development of an inclusive design strategy, strategic site layout, welcoming arrival points at key destinations, parking provision, movement and circulation around the park, public facilities and lighting.

Services