Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Heritage Open Day
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Beetley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4DR
Step back in time at this fascinating historical site, where you can uncover what life was like for some of Norfolk’s poorest people in a Victorian workhouse. Originally opened in 1777 as a House of Industry, Gressenhall’s collections and interactive displays bring to life the real stories of workhouse staff and inmates - how they ate, slept, worked, and played through the ages.
This event coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Friends of Gressenhall Museum. So why not come and help them celebrate their 50 years and see what they have contributed to the site through fundraising and hard physical work. Meet the volunteer teams, the Norfolk Guides and the members of the Flax and Fleece project, listen to local choirs and take part in a variety of activities including art attack, collections handling, workhouse trails and the steam engines steaming-up. You can also wander through Village Row, which is going to be officially re-opened by an original member of the Friends, as well as explore the general store, forge, seed merchants, and Cherry Tree Cottage, all filled with goods from a bygone era. See Norfolk’s oldest working car, a rare 1899 Panhard et Levassor, once owned by Charles Rolls. Follow the story of farming from its Neolithic roots to the Women’s Land Army, and meet the rare Suffolk Punch horses, cattle, pigs, and Norfolk Horn sheep on the working farm and celebrates the county’s rich agricultural heritage.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 21 September:
- 10:00-17:00
Location & directions
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Beetley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4DR
- Directions:
- For disabled parking please follow brown museum signs; for event parking please follow yellow event signs
- Telephone number:
- +441362860563
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a large site. All buildings and displays have level access except for the school room and laundry yard which has a ramp. There is a ramped entrance to the cafe and its courtyard garden. There is a gravel courtyard and paths around some of the workhouse buildings. There is a rough, sloped track to the farm. Please note we only allow assistance dogs onsite.
Additional information
The site will be open from 10am until 5pm.
