The Spike

Went to somewhere called the "Guildford Spike" yesterday.  And I bet you couldn't guess what it was in a million attempts.  It was an Edwardian casual ward - essentially a section of a workhouse designed to provide temporary, short-term accommodation and relief to vagrants and the homeless.  Not unlike being housed in a prison, with the opportunity to work for your food.  And if it wasn't for these unique gratings fitted over the windows - whereby the occupants would earn their keep by breaking stone or cutting wood small enough to fit through the grating - then it would probably be demolished.  It is somewhat surreal and unexpected to find this small slice of early 20th century social history in this assuming part of Guildford.