Ancestry UK

Magdalen Homes — Gloucestershire-Kent

Although the term 'Magdalen' home or institution has become particularly associated with Ireland's Magdalen laundries, it covers to a much wider range of establishments. Rather than indicating the nature of these institutions' facilities or regime, it reflects the circumstances of their inmates — girls and young women who had 'fallen' (or who were considered in danger of doing so), primarily those who had become pregnant or involved in prostitution. More...

Where applicable, the 'Places' column shows the accommodation provided for mothers and babies (exact figures could change over time).
Note that over the years, many institutions changed location and/or name, sometimes more than once. The accommodation provided, age of those admitted etc. at a home could also vary.

Gloucestershire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Elm House Shelter, 11 Victoria Walk, Cotham, Bristolby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home.10 beds 
Bristol Diocesan Refuge and Temporary Home, 13 Wellington Park, Clifton, Bristol19011937Fallen women; temporarily.1214-25
Grove House Home, 148 Redland Road, Bristol19191947Destitute girls and women; temporarily. First maternity cases, after birth.12m/12bunder 25
Hostel of the Good Shepherd, 15 Wellington Park, Clifton, Bristol1933 Young mothers with their babies; remain at least six months.9no limit
Bristol Female Penitentiary, 2 King's Parade, Clifton, Bristolby 1897 Fallen women from the neighbourhood; free.12 
Elm House Shelter, 246 York York Road, Bristolby 19501972   
Bristol Maternity Hospital and Home, 50 Southwell Street, Bristol1865 Mothers for their first confinement.32no limit
Bristol Female Penitentiary, 60 Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol1801  3816-30
Salvation Army Shelter, 71 Woodland Road, Bristolby 1949    
Bristol Voluntary Lock Hospital, 87 Ashley Road, Bristol1870 Fallen women; free, except from Guardians, 6s.20under 30
Arno's Court Reformatory for Roman Catholic Girls, Bath Road, Arno's Vale, BristolNovember 20 18551948A convent school giving domestic training. Outside classes attended. Facilities for the treatment of venereal disease are provided in this school.20012-15
The Night Refuge, Church Lane,St Michael's, Bristolby 1890 A shelter open night and day.  
Bristol Female Mission, Elm House, Marlborough Hill, Bristol1855 Destitute girls and women; temporarily. First maternity cases, after birth.10no limit
Salvation Army Home, Grosvenor House, 89 Ashley Road, Bristol1894 Girls and women in distress.31no limit
Bristol Female Refuge Society, Marlborough House, Marlborough Hill, Bristol1815 Free to local cases; payment with others. Must remain two years.3515-25
Salvation Army Maternity Home, Mount Hope, Ashley Hill, Bristol1925 Unmarried mothers and their infants.34no limit
Bristol Female Penitentiary, Southfield House, Westbury on Trym, Bristolby 1912 Fallen women from diocese of Bristol free; otherwise, small payment; remain two years.2218-23
Bristol Laundry Home, Southmead, Westbury on Trym, Bristol1882  12no limit
Bristol Temporary Home and Lying-in Hospital, Southwell House, Southwell Street, Bristol1865 First maternity cases only; 5s. and £2 for special expenses.18no limit
Refuge, 6 Greville Terrace, Cheltenham1882  5no limit
Francis Owen Home, Cambray Villa, Cheltenham1880 Friendless and fallen; not more than three months. Local cases free; others 3s. 6d. to 5s.8no limit
Refuge and Home, North Parade House, Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham18461934Fallen women; free. Donation where possible. Must remain two years.2217-25
Church Army Shelter, St Catherine's, 28 Cambray Place, Cheltenham1903 Fallen and preventive cases.10m/4bunder 25
The Shelter, St Catherine's, Hewlett Road, Cheltenhamby 1920  8under 25
Ladies' Association Shelter, 'Winslowe', Hewlett Street, Cheltenham1903  6no limit
St Mary's Lodge, 16 Alexandra Road, Gloucester1905by 1953Before and After Care Home and Shelter.7m/5bno limit
Hope Cottage Diocesan Shelter, 5 Nettleton Road, Gloucester1900 Fallen women and girls; local cases free.4over 12
Gloucester Magdalen Asylum, Friar's Lodge, Blackfriars, Gloucester1827 Fallen women.6no limit
Home of Hope, Great Western Road, Gloucester1872 Fallen and destitute girls; a fee of £10; remain two years.2514-16
Gloucester Magdalen Asylum, Picton House, London Road, Gloucesterby 1912 Fallen women.11no limit
Bussage House of Mercy, Brownshill Road, Bussage, Stroud1851 All classes of female penitents. Remain two years, or longer.24under 21

Hampshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Aldershot Mission Refuge, 11 (later 21) Gordon Road, Aldershotby 1897 Fallen women; temporarily.6no limit
Aldershot Mission for Women and Girls Temporary Home, 3 Elizabeth Cottages, Wolseley Road, Aldershot1883 Ruined or endangered women and girls until they can be returned to their friends or sent to a permanent Home. no limit
Aldershot House of Refuge /St Agnes Lodge, Grosvenor Road, Aldershot1874 Fallen and friendless women; temporarily.10no limit
St Mary's Home, Alton1910 Morally weak and incapable women; 6s. 6d., and £1 entrance fee.30over 16
St Thomas' Home for the Friendless and Fallen, Darlington Road, Basingstoke1864 From the diocese of Winchester only; free. Remain two years or less, at the discretion of Managers.4815-30
Basingstoke Girls' Refuge, Essex Lodge, Basingstoke1912 Fallen and friendless; temporarily; 10s.; local cases free.8under 27
Basingstoke Girls' Refuge, St Thomas' Lodge, Basingstokeby 1935 Fallen and friendless; temporarily; 10s.; local cases free.8under 27
Bordon Home of the Good Shepherd, Forest Road, Whitehill, Bordon1905 Fallen and friendless; 5s.; local cases free.5under 30
St Mary's Home, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh1884 Fallen children and children from houses of ill-fame or otherwise in grave moral danger; £10 a year.63under 14
Willow Lodge, 201 West Street, Fareham1917 Women attending Portsmouth V.D. Clinic.  
St Thomas' Refuge, 263 Forton Road, Forton, Gosport1864 Fallen girls received temporarily and sent on to Homes. Preventive cases also received and sent to Homes or service.7no limit
Petersfield Refuge, St Agnes, Petersfield1916 Fallen and friendless women, temporarily; 5s.; local cases free.6under 30
Portsmouth Free Church Council Home, St Paul's House, 66 King Street, Portsea1908 Friendless and destitute women and girls; temporarily.15no limit
Portsmouth, Portsea, and Gosport Female Penitentiary, 4 Brunswick Road, Portsmouth1831  3815-25
Salvation Army Home, Nobbs Lane, Portsmouth1892 Girls and women in distress.36no limit
Portsmouth and Southsea Ladies' Association Home, St Catherine, 25-27 Cuthbert Road, Portsmouth1900 Fallen and friendless girls; free; temporarily.  
St Andrew's Home for Children, Harrage Park, Romseyby 1900 Girls under 12. Entrance fee £1 10s. if from Winchester Diocese, or £2 10s. others. under 12
St Andrew's Home, South Hayling1893 First maternity cases; servants of the better class; 5s., and entrance fee, £1 1s.20under 20
Cottage Rescue Home, 229 Shirley Road, Southampton1886  11 
Southampton Refuge, 41 Belmont Road, Southamptonby 1935 Fallen and friendless girls; free; temporarily.12no limit
Refuge, 57 St Andrew's Road, Southamptonby 1885    
The Refuge, Hope Lodge, Cross Street, Kingsland, Southampton1883 Fallen friendless girls; free; no girl remains more than one week.6no limit
St Andrew's Home for Children, 103-105 Victoria Road North, Southsea18801907Children rescued from immorality, or immoral surroundings; terms by arrangement.296-16
Home of St Mary the Virgin, 16 St David's Road, Southsea1915 Fallen and friendless girls; local cases; free; temporarily.12under 30
Salvation Army Home, 19-21 Auckland Road East, Southseaby 1920 Girls and women in distress.21no limit
Bethesda Town Mission Refuge, 27 Silver Street, Southsea1891 Fallen and friendless women; temporarily; 7s.; some free.215-40
St Thomas' Refuge, 34 Somers Road, Southsea1876 Fallen girls from the Diocese of Winchester; temporarily; free.6under 30
Proetstant Home for Fallen Women, Brunswick Road, Southsea1863 Fallen women.45 
St Andrew's Laundry Cottage Home, Fawcett Road, Southsea1893 Fallen women; first fall only; a few mothers and babies received; £5 entrance fee; if before confinement, £8.20under 20
St Andrew's Home for Girls, 'Gainsborough', 35 St Simon's Road, Southsea19101920CPA. 1930Girls from bad homes and those in moral danger.296-16
Portsmouth Rescue Society, Hyde Park Road, Southseaby 1912 Fallen women; free; local cases preferred. Remain one year.3815-25
Portsmouth and Southsea Ladies' Association Home, St Barbara, 91 Victoria Road North, Southsea1915 Fallen and friendless girls; free; temporarily.8no limit
Portsmouth, Portsea, and Southsea Ladies' Association, St Thomas' Refuge, 2 Gloucester Terrace, King's Road, Southsea1878 Fallen and friendless girls; free; temporarily.5under 30
Salvation Army Home, Summerlands, 9 Villiers Road, Southseaby 1935 Girls and women in distress.28no limit
Portsmouth Free Church Council Hostel, Woodlands, 22 Albany Road, Southsea1919 Unmarried mothers with their first babies.12no limit
Convent of Our Lady of Charity and Refuge, St Michael's, London Road, Waterlooville1886 Penitents and young girls in danger of falling.  
Winchester Refuge for Penitent Women, 1 North Walls, Winchester1846 Fallen girls from all parts; usually remain two years.14under 20
Winchester Diocesan Maternity Home, 1 North Walls, Winchesterby 1949 First maternity cases from Winchester diocese; 5s. and £1 1s. Fee.16m/12b16-20
Winchester Refuge, 55 Eastgate Street, Winchester1899 Fallen girls from all parts; usually remain two years. 6s.8no limit
Winchester Refuge, St Anne's, Petersfield Road, Winchesterby 1935 Fallen girls; temporarily; payment according to circumstances.6no limit

Herefordshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Convent of Our Lady of Charity and Refuge, Bartestree, Herefordby 1890 Penitents, and young women and girls in danger of falling.  
Society for the Rescue and Protection of Young Women, The Haven, 12 Bridge Street, Herefordby 1930 Fallen girls; temporarily; also preventive cases. Those from-Hereford free.9under 26
Society for the Rescue and Protection of Young Women, The Haven, 13 St Nicholas Street, Hereford1899 Fallen women and girls; temporarily; also preventive cases. Those from Hereford free.7no limit
Society for the Rescue and Protection of Young Women, The Haven, Barton Street, Herefordby 1949    
Society for the Rescue and Protection of Young Women, The Lodge, 7 Ferrers Street, Herefordby 1900 Fallen women; temporarily; also preventive cases. Those from-Hereford free.9 
St Martin's Home for Penitents, Walnut Tree Avenue, Hereford1864 Fallen or destitute women. Remain two years. From the diocese, free. Others, fee of £5.  

Hertfordshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
The Shelter, Bengeo  Servant class.5no limit
Bishop's Stortford Shelter, 41 Dane Street, Bishop's Stortford1904 Fallen women; temporarily; also preventive cases; free from locality; others, 5s.3no limit
Bishop's Stortford Shelter, 63 Stanstead Road, Bishop's Stortfordby 1935 Fallen women; temporarily; also preventive cases; free from locality; others, 5s.5no limit
Cheshunt Maternity Home, Hope House, Cheshunt1913 Girls chiefly of the servant class; 8s. 6d.9under 25
St Anne's Home, Hemel Hempsteadby 1930 Preventive and rescue cases; payment according to circumstances.4no limit
Hertford Shelter, Molewood Villa, 33 Fanshawe Street, Hertford1911 All classes; from 3s. 6d.; local cases free.5under 35
Barnet Home for Friendless Girls, 12 Park Road, High Barnetby 1930 Friendless and fallen; temporarily.6no limit
Barnet Home for Friendless Girls, 59 The Drive, High Barnet1908 Friendless and fallen; temporarily.2no limit
Hitchin Shelter, 39 Walsworth Road, Hitchin1905 Fallen or destitute women temporarily. Diocesan cases free; others 5s.3no limit
St Barnabas' Shelter, 27 Sandpit Lane, St Albansby 1935 Friendless girls and others needing temporary help.16no limit
St Barnabas's Shelter, Culver Road, Bernard's Heath, St Albans1897 Fallen women; temporarily.3no limit
St Albans Shelter, The Poplars, 2 Church Street, St Albansby 1930 Fallen women; temporarily.4no limit
St Albans Shelter, The Poplars, Church Crescent, St Albansby 1920 Fallen women; temporarily.4no limit
St Mary's Refuge, Watton Road, Ware1901 All classes; local cases free; others 6s.3no limit
St Agnes House, 10-12 St John's Road, Watfordby 1930 Women and girls needing help temporarily. Local cases free.5no limit
St Agnes Shelter, 12 St John's Road, Watford1901 Rescue and preventive cases, temporarily; 5s. Local cases free.7no limit

Isle of Wight

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
The Hostel, Staplers Road, Newport1921 Women and girls needing help; temporarily; post-maternity and probation cases received; payment when possible.314-24
St Andrew's Home for Children, East Turret House, Spring Vale, Rydeby 1890 Girls under 12. Entrance fee £1 10s. if from Winchester Diocese, or £2 10s. others. under 12
Ryde Rescue and Preventive Home, Hope Cottage, 17 Pellhurst Road, Ryde1903 Rescue and preventive cases; temporarily.2under 30
Ryde Rescue and Preventive Home, Orchardleigh, Pellhurst Road, Rydeby 1930 Rescue and preventive cases; temporarily.8under 35
St Faith's Home of Refuge, Pellhurst Road, Ryde1881 Preventive cases; 5s. Fallen women, free; temporarily.15no limit

Kent

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Faith's Home, St Faith's Lane, Bearstedby 1930 Girls with their first illegitimate infants.25m/12bunder 20
Church Army Home for Friendless Girls, 20 Ravensbourne Road, Bromley1913 Fallen women; 5s.; some free.7no limit
Rochester Diocesan Association for the Care of Friendless Girls, 29 Ravensbourne Road, Bromleyby 1930 Fallen women; 8s. 6d.; some free.515-30
5 Bromley Common, Bromleyby 1949    
Canterbury Ladies' Rescue Society, 16 St Mary's Lane, Castle Street, Canterbury1884 Rescue and preventive cases received temporarily.4no limit
Canterbury and East Kent Refuge and Rescue Society, Temporary Home, Queningate, 89 Broad Street, Canterbury1848 Rescue cases temporarily. Free from Canterbury; others 5s.7no limit
Chatham Salvation Army Home, 117 Henry Street, Chatham1898 Girls and women in distress.9no limit
Chatham Hostel and Remand Home, 12 New Road, Chathamby 1930 Fallen women; free; temporarily.7no limit
Chatham House of Refuge and Industrial Home, 148 Rainham Road, Chatham Hill, Chatham1856 Troublesome girls, particularly those in danger. Free. Remain two years.2415-18 TH), 17-25 (MH)
Chatham Salvation Army Home, 42 New Road, Chathamby 1920 Girls and women in distress.17m/5bno limit
Chatham Salvation Army Home, 9-11 New Road, Chathamby 1930 Girls and women in distress.24no limit
Chatham Shelter, St Mary andSt John's Mission House, 12 New Road, Chathamby 1900 Fallen women; free; temporarily.7no limit
Chatham Shelter, St Mary andSt John's Mission House, 13 Nelson Road, Chathamby 1897 Fallen women; free; temporarily.4no limit
Chatham Shelter, St Mary andSt John's Mission House, 22 New Road, Chathamby 1912 Fallen women; free; temporarily.7no limit
Kent County Female Penitentiary /St Mary's Home, Stone, Dartford1860 Free to fallen women from all parts, if willing to remain two years; preference given to cases from Kent.60under 25
Deal Shelter, 66 Blenheim Road, Deal1926 Friendless and fallen; temporarily.4no limit
Refuge of the Good Shepherd, 22 Templar Street, Doverby 1912 Free to fallen women professing penitence and willing to remain two years. Small payment when possible.8under 30
Good Shepherd Home and Refuge, 4 Princes Street, Doverby 1897 Fallen women from Dover, free; others 5s.12under 25
House of Shelter, Doverby 1885    
St Hilda's Hostel, 46 Newton Road, Faversham1928 Rescue and preventive cases; temporarily.6no limit
Folkestone Refuge, 221 Dover Road, Folkestoneby 1900 Fallen women and maternity cases, before and after confinement.1014-25
St Agnes Hostel, 49 Coolinge Road, Folkestoneby 1920 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily; local cases, free.6over 14
Folkestone and District Refuge, Quested Road, Cheriton, Folkestoneby 1912 Friendless and fallen women; temporarily; free.11 
Kendall House, 12 The Grove, Gravesend19231986Friendless and fallen women and girls; temporarily.614-16
St Faith's Home, 1-3 Lower Fant Road, Maidstoneby 1912 Girls with their first illegitimate infants; 5s.1216-25
St Faith's Home, 3 Wilton Place, Maidstone1899 Workhouse girls with their first illegitimate infants in the diocese of Canterbury; 5s.8 
Preventive Home and Refuge, 53-54 Hardy Street, Maidstoneby 1890 Temporary shelter for girls in Maidstone.  
Maidstone Refuge, Hope House, 4 (later 7) Bedford Place, Maidstone1874 Fallen, friendless and destitute girls; remain one month or longer at the discretion of the Lady Superintendent.614-26
Maidstone Home, Hope House, 4 Wheeler Street, Maidstone1902 Fallen and friendless women; remain six months.730-50
Maidstone Refuge, Lynton House, Boxley Road, Maidstone1891by 1900Fallen, friendless and destitute girls; remain one month or longer at the discretion of the Lady Superintendent.5no limit
St Helena's Home, Upper Grove, Margate1908 Fallen women and girls; 5s., or £2 2s. entrance fee.2216-40
St Mildred's Home, Upper Grove, Margate     
Refuge, 26 Adelaide Gardens, Ramsgateby 1885    
Ramsgate Hostel, 41 South-Eastern Road, Ramsgate1919 Unmarried mothers of respectable upbringing, with their first babies. Free from Kent; others £5 entrance fee.12m/12bunder 25
Thanet Hostel, 55 Ashburnham Road, Ramsgateby 1930 Unmarried mothers of respectable upbringing, with their first babies. Free from Kent; others £5 5s. entrance fee.12under 25
Thanet Refuge, Braeside, 25 Margate Road, Ramsgateby 1912 Fallen girls; temporarily.6under 25
St Laurence's Shelter, 102 Borstal Road, Rochesterby 1949 Shelter and Before and After Care Home. 10m/3b
Church Army Refuge / Receiving Home, 25 Star Hill, Rochester1919 Friendless girls, and those from immoral surroundings; temporarily.8no limit
Tonbridge Refuge, 1 Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge1909 Friendless and fallen; temporarily; 6s.514-17
Tunbridge Wells Association for Befriending Young Women, 36 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wellsby 1920 Any class; temporarily; 8s.3no limit
Tunbridge Wells Rescue and Preventive Association, 4 Grosvenor Park, Tunbridge Wellsby 1912 Any class; temporarily; 7s.3no limit
Tunbridge Wells Rescue and Preventive Association, Hope Cottage, Basinghall Lane, Tunbridge Wells1888 Any class; temporarily; 7s.3no limit