Lyddington Bede House, Leicester

Set in the ironstone village of Lyddington, Lyddington Bede House started life as the medieval wing of a palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln. By 1600 it had passed to Sir Thomas Cecil, son of Queen Elizabeth’s chief minister, who converted it into an almshouse for 12 poor ‘bedesmen’ over 30 years old and two women over 45, all free of lunacy, leprosy and the French pox.

A bedesman, or beadsman was generally a pensioner or almsman whose duty it was to pray for his benefactor. The last beadsman died in Aberdeen in 1988.

Visitors can wander through the bedesmen’s rooms, with their tiny windows and fireplaces, and view the former bishops’ Great Chamber on the first floor, with its beautifully carved ceiling cornice.

Opening Times

Open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £4.20
Children: £2.50
Concessions: £3.80
Family Ticket: £10.90

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Disabled Facilities

Disabled access ground floor only.

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More Information

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