The Workhouse and Infirmary
Upton Road, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0PT
Built in 1824 as a last resort for many people, The Workhouse in Southwell is one of the best preserved and most complete in England. As the site developed, the Infirmary was built in 1871 to care for those deemed too ill to be housed in the workhouse. Here you can glimpse the beginnings of an emerging healthcare system as social care evolved.
Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist painted a bleak picture of life in the workhouse. However, the focus here is to show that although harsh and monotonous, aspects such as education, medical care or diet may have been better for the poor than in their own homes. The Workhouse not only tells a powerful and enlightening story of how it provided for the poorest in society but how it was pivotal in the development of our national health and welfare system.
Interactive media, personal objects, and the stories of those who lived and worked here help to bring history to life. While seasonal events, walks and costumed characters will take visitors on a captivating journey into the past.
Tying in with this year's theme of architecture, over the Open Day weekend, help us build a scale model of the Infirmary, which will go on display once finished. Come and be part of the build and leave your mark for future visitors to see.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- External building tours
- Sunday 14 September:
- External building tours
Location & directions
Upton Road, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0PT
- Directions:
- Please note, some services such as Google Maps will not send you to our front entrance. To help, please look for The Workhouse on 'Upton Road, NG25 0QB'. Ideally, use what3words ///holly.disposing.acclaim
- Contact on day:
- The Workhouse & Infirmary
- Telephone number:
- +441636817260
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Some areas might not be fully accessible to all visitors. The ground floor of The workhouse is accessible via ramps. There are stairs to all other floors, cellars and exercise yards. A virtual tour and photos are available in the Upstairs/Downstairs room. There is an accessible lift to the first floor of the Infirmary.
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 30 hour(s)
