The Number 310 Route (Not)

There has been, and for all we know still is, a 310, but only in the outer London, non-TFL sense so the Rules Committee (see FAQs – Route 301) has determined that it should not appear on our list.

In order to convey we have not merely forgotten or jumped some numbers (would we do such a thing when OCD are our middle initials?) we have allowed ourselves to fill in such gaps with modest riffs on route linked themes. This week Almshouses, which are a whole lot more common than you might think – we have passed them on all the following routes:

Number 44 – near the Tooting end of Garratt Lane

Number 77 – as above

Routes 58 & 158 – Leyton Almshouses

Route 123 – Ilford Almshouses

Route 142 – Stonegrove Almshouses

Route 149 – West Hackney

Route 199 – Greenwich Almshouses

Route 243 – Wood Lane

Route 307 – Barnet (2 sets)

and on the following routes which we have already travelled but not yet posted:

Route 337 – close to Richmond

Route 344 & 345 – Battersea

ALMSHOUSES

Essentially Almshouses were and continue to be affordable housing for the more vulnerable, usually the elderly and sometimes tied to a particular trade – for example the Watermen’s Complex in Penge.

Nowadays they are mostly run by charities. Many are now listed buildings which of course brings its own issues – can you fit affordable heating, modern kitchens etc, and double glazing to make the properties more comfortable, and yet maintain the charming exteriors?   We like them as they represent a long-term investment by previous generations to provide social housing for the less privileged, even if prior to the Reformation some of the seemingly altruistic founders were aiming to guarantee themselves a short-cut to heaven. Also they provide an architectural change from other neighbourhood domestic buildings.