Hospital of St Cross

The Hospital of St Cross is the oldest charitable institution in the United Kingdom. Not only is it the oldest, but it is also the largest medieval almshouse in Britain; it is built on the scale of an Oxford or Cambridge college, but is older than any of the colleges at the universities. Since at least the 14th century, and still available today, a 'wayfarer's dole' of ale and bread has been handed out there.