The hospital of St cross and almshouse for the poor noble was founded in Winchester in the UK between 1133 and 1136. It is the oldest charitable organization in the United Kingdom. Its founder was Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, grandson of William the Conqueror.

It is not only the oldest but also the largest nursing home in medieval England. The shelter is still valid, controlled by the Master, and there are 25 elderly people, which are called "brothers". They belong either to the Society of the hospital of St. cross, founded in 1132, and wear black clothes with a silver cross, or to the Order of the Noble Poor, founded in 1445, and dressed in a maroon. Sometimes referred to as "black brothers" and "red brothers". Brothers must be single, divorced or widowed, and they must be over 60 years. In the nursing home are the most needy. Each offers a separate apartment consisting, as a rule, from the bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. A dwelling built in the XV century and all are on the ground floor. It should be noted that the brothers are not monks, hospital of St cross is a secular organization.

Here is still preserved the ancient tradition of assistance to travelers – anyone who asked about it the gatekeeper can get a free piece of bread and a glass of ale.

The complex of stone buildings around two courtyards. On the outside, smaller yard out the gate (XVI century), the brewery (XIV century), a guest wing, kitchen, prepare food for the Master, 25 brothers and 100 poor people, the Lodge and the three-storey tower Beaufort, built around 1450 and named in honor of cardinal Beaufort. Hall of Brotherhood, which holds the Master, 25 brothers and 100 poor people, the living space of the gallery and the Church form a courtyard. The Church was built in XII-XIII centuries and is more like a Cathedral in miniature, rather than a chapel in the poorhouse. The walls of the Church reach a meter in thickness, and the building itself is an example of the transition style from Norman to Gothic architecture.