Houblon’s Almshouses

A row of red-brick Victorian buildings tucked away near Chessington, Houblon's Almshouses are the sort of place you'd walk past without thinking twice - unless you know what you're looking at. Built in the 1800s, they're a proper example of Victorian philanthropy done right, with the kind of architectural details that speak to a time when even modest housing was made to last.

The almshouses themselves are residential, so you're really looking at them from the outside - observing the brickwork, the sash windows, the general air of modest respectability they've maintained over 150 years. It's one for history buffs more than anyone else, particularly those interested in social housing and Victorian charitable architecture. Kids won't get much out of it unless they're already keen on old buildings.

What makes it worth a detour is context. If you're staying at Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site - just over 6 miles away - and you're doing a circuit of local historical sites, this slots in nicely as a quick stop. You're not looking at an hour-long visit here; more a 15-minute pause to appreciate the craftsmanship and think about the lives lived within these walls.

Access appears unrestricted from the street, though you'll want to be respectful given that people still live there. No gift shop, no café, no interpretation panels to speak of - just the buildings themselves and whatever story your own curiosity brings to them.