The Workhouse and Infirmary

About

The Workhouse and Infirmary

This austere building, the most complete workhouse in existence, was pivotal in the development of our national health and welfare system. For decades it was where the poorest in society had to work and where they received food, shelter and medical care.

Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist painted a bleak picture of life in the workhouse, but in this rural workhouse in Southwell it is shown that, although harsh and monotonous, aspects such as education, medical care and diet may have been better inside The Workhouse than for the poor in their own homes.

This unique venue focuses on the individuals and families who lived here, a refreshing take, as history often overlooks stories from ordinary, everyday people and their day-to-day struggles. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people have relatives linked to Workhouses, so you do get the feeling that it is your history too. It is impossible to resist putting yourself in the shoes of those who lived and worked there, and your mind will wander to the pros and cons of such a living arrangement.

The garden at The Workhouse was both a place of labour and a source of food. Visit the garden today and discover the wide variety of heritage and seasonal fruits and vegetables that are grown, recreating days of old.

Located on the ground floor of Firbeck Infirmary, the café serves a range of hot and cold drinks, seasonal meals, and sweet treats.

Bring the family and experience a full programme of living history events, seasonal events, tours, and exhibitions. Younger visitors can enjoy children’s trails, games and dressing up with activities and crafts during the school holidays.

The History

The Workhouse was built in 1824 as a place of last resort for the poorest who couldn’t work and for those people suffering from unemployment. Firbeck infirmary, built nearly 50 years later in 1871, provided medical care for The Workhouse. Later it became a care ward in the 1970s but had been untouched for decades after closing its doors in the 1980s.

Visitors can now see inside the Firbeck infirmary after an extensive project to restore the derelict building and unlock some of its secrets. The reimagined building depicts how the infirmary cared for people when it first opened in the 1870s, through to its final residential use. Visitors can access several spaces, including the room of the last resident, which encourages reflection on how we care for vulnerable people today.