Visit to Southwell Workhouse
Saturday May 14th 2005
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The Jubilee Trust hired a very smart 15 seater from Kendall's and set out early on Saturday May 14th for a fact finding mission to Southwell Workhouse, built in 1824, this building became a model for the institutions that were to follow after the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. The National Trust restrict photography within the building and will not allow public display of photographs taken. So we can only offer a glimpse of this fascinating building. |
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This is the daunting view that those seeking relief would have seen as they trudged towards the workhouse, Every aspect of the workhouse was designed to discourage and you went there as a last resort. Hence the quote of that period: "An empty workhouse is a successful workhouse" |
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A better place today thanks to the National Trust. The first stop on any visit is the reception area where a guide will explain how 'the system' worked using a model of the building to explain.
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After a very enjoyable audio tour lasting just over an hour we finished our visit in the departure room where there were more opportunities to interact with the period. Maddy and Margot dressed as workhouse children, one of them looks far to healthy! |
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| After a such an interesting visit, the trusty mini bus took us to the Saracens Head Hotel in Southwell. | Having spent the morning feeding the mind it was time to feed the body and what a very nice meal it was. If you go to Southwell you could do much worse than stay at the Saracens Arms. |
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For more information on opening times etc. visit the National Trust site at: |