National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
The Grade I listed North Wing of St Bartholomew’s Hospital was built in 1732 by architect James Gibbs. It features the Great Hall and Hogarth Stair, decorated with William Hogarth’s celebrated paintings The Pool of Bethesda and The Good Samaritan. After a major restoration by Barts Heritage, this historic space is open to the public.
Skilled heritage craftspeople took part in extensive repairs to the roof, stonework, railings and over 160 sash windows. Experts also worked on the painstaking conservation of the Hogarth paintings, decorative plasterwork and donor boards in the Great Hall. The North Wing’s history has been brought to life through new interpretation and by sharing stories of the Hogarth Stair, Great Hall, the famous King Henry VIII painting and The Charter Window.
Working with St Bartholomew’s Hospital, a pioneering arts and wellbeing programme has been launched to support patient recovery and staff health. The venue will continue to host a year-round programme of cultural events and is available for hire to help generate funds for its ongoing care.
Will Palin, Chief Executive of Barts Heritage, says: “We have safeguarded the Hogarth Stair and Great Hall for generations to come and ensured that this hidden gem will welcome the public as a place for art, culture and wellbeing at the heart of the City of London. The nationally important North Wing has recaptured its beauty and dignity.”
Discover more about the history of Barts North Wing or see what other projects we’ve supported in London & South.
