History:
The Charterhouse was named after a Carthusian priory that was located on the site from 1371 until the Dissolution. The priory was replaced by a mansion which was later adapted as an almshouse and school. The school moved away in the late 19th century although the almshouse known as Sutton's Hospital, for older gentlemen still remains.


Architecture:
In 1371 a Carthusian Priory was founded on part of the site for twenty four monks and a dozen lay brothers. The chapel became the church and the Great Cloister was laid out to provide accommodation for the monks. Further buildings were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. A large mansion was built with Great Hall and Great Chamber alongside considerable alterations to the monastic buildings.

In the 16th century, Sutton, a wealthy commoner, acquired Charterhouse and devised ambitious plans to establish a charitable foundation known as the King James's Hospital. He engaged Francis Carter as an architect to adapt the buildings.

With a high powered board of governors, the foundation was developed in spite of Sutton's death in 1611. The hospital became the home of 80 poor men and forty foundation scholars. The almsmen became known as the Poor Brothers and they had to be unmarried men over fifty years old who could supply ' good testimoyne and Certificat of theire good behaviour and soundnes in religion' They consisted mainly of captains, soldiers and merchants who had fallen on hard times.

Extensive alterations were undertaken to the buildings including the enlargement of the tower and the building of a library behind the Great Hall. Rooms for the brothers were provided in barns, stores and other service buildings. Purpose built accommodation for the brothers was not developed until the 19th century. Pensioner's Court was built in 1828-9 designed by Richard Pilkington. The rooms for the brothers were arranged on either side of stone staircases.

During the Second World war the Brothers were enlisted to help with fire watching. But an undetected fir bomb fell on the roof above Chapel Cloister causing a blaze that gutted most of the historic core. A skilful reconstruction has restored the historic buildings. The Brothers' rooms are now occupied by private tenants.