the workhouse, southwell

Having lived in Newark since the age of 5 I had never visited this National Trust attraction before, even though its only about 8 miles away. entry cost was 8.50 per person this was gift aided. If you are a member of the National Trust obviously it would be free, they asked us if we wanted to join that day and they would refund the entrance fee .First part was a quick video showing how life used to be in the workhouse in the 1800's, you could then either walk around the site with a audio guide or use a book guide. time taken was approx 1-1.1/2 hours there was also a shop with gifts.All in all it was a very interesting in-site into the past and well worth a visit Do check the website to make sure its open as times/days vary.

Visited here before, Format changed a little this time,a Thought provoking experience, even more so as most of the Rooms empty of furnishings.Good Audio Guide, Good Toilet facilities & small Coffee/cake shop & Gift shop. Local authority run children's live in estbalishments still in operation in the adjacent site buildings.

We went early to join the outside tour, the guide was full of stories of the workhouse and the hour long tour passed so quickly despite the cold wind. Then back inside for a warming drink before following the tour round. Well designed tour I liked the audio tour of a visitor touring the workhouse.

We arrived early enough to take the guided tour around the grounds and buildings (recommended) our guide was very knowledgeable and we were able to ask questions which were well answered.The building was purpose built to deal with the flotsam and jetsam of local communities who couldn't find work or shelter in their villages and were a drain on local taxes. The workhouses were a solution to the problem.Very basic, families segregated, harsh conditions. Amazingly, establishments like this were still in use in living memory. We were very encouraged to see parties of young schoolchildren dressed as inmates being given lessons in life in the Workhouse by the "Govener and his Staff".

Beautifully cared for slice if history. From the audio introduction, to the detailed model in the wash house, to the audio guide and the room staff - could not have been improved. Full and fascinating history of the workhouse and its rationale.

As we were in the area for a few days, Southwell Workhouse was on our "to do" list. We've visited the Workhouse at Ripon in Yorkshire twice and were impressed at the lay out of the cells and the other rooms, and the information on life in general for the staff and inmates. Approaching Southwell must have been terrifying for any potential inmates arriving there, walking that long path towards the vast austere building must have filled them with dread...the Workhouse experience starts there! However, once inside we were disappointed to find so many empty rooms and very little information within them, as to their purpose etc. I realise that there is an audio guide but I prefer to see information boards in the rooms and walk through at my leisure, rather than be guided by a disembodied voice and encumbered with headphones etc! We saw no information about a guided tour, and saw no one giving a guided tour as we looked round. The garden was vast, but lacking in labels and information, I learnt much more about the food they grew, to use as part of their diet, in the small allotment garden at Ripon Workhouse. Perhaps some of the empty rooms could be closed to the public and the remaining ones could then be furnished as they were in the day. And...finally yes, the tea room was very disappointing, the workhouse atmosphere was captured well with the tables and benches, but consideration must also be made for visitors who need a backrest. Perhaps an old menu on the wall, with old kitchen implements would have added to the tea room ambiance. And...some scones would have been nice with the cuppa. Sorry to be so negative but Ripon Workhouse has more to offer in a much smaller property and I felt that I learnt a lot more in my visit there, although, as NT members, the visit to Southwell was included in my membership, and we had to pay at Ripon, I still know which I prefer as an educational visit.

Being a member of the National Trust & this attraction was within a 20 minute drive i'm surprised I haven't visited before now. The Workhouse itself opened at midday on the day of our visit, but found out via the website that if we arrived before 11am there is a guided tour of the exterior of the building. We plumped for the 11am tour even though it was raining. Glad we chose the tour as the guide 'Phil' made it very interesting explaining the history of the place & the everyday lives of what can only be described as 'inmates', even though most of them could leave whenever they wanted. After the guided tour there is a 10 minute video about the Workhouse to watch if you should wish to do so. I suggest you watch the video to get an insight into the history of the Workhouse. It's only 10 mins so won't keep you away from the visit for long. In the Ladies courtyard there's the wash house where you can pick up your Audio guides. The guides are well worth using & are free so why not take advantage of the information they will provide. Inside the Workhouse, there's actually not an awful lot to see, but the Audio guide will keep you interested as you travel from room to room. You actually finish up in a room which was used right up to the late 1970's, which surprised me. The refreshments provided are very basic, but I was informed that the National Trust are working on this. I got my cup of Tea but no NT Victoria Sponge or Lemon Drizzle Cake I've come to expect & thoroughly enjoy at other NT properties. The Staff on site are very friendly, welcoming & helpful. I believe this does go some way to making the visit enjoyable. You could probably complete a visit to the Workhouse in a couple of hours though we spent 3.5 hours looking around plus 1 hour for the exterior tour. Well worth a visit especially for English History buffs. Glad we visited.

An excellent opportunity to take a step back and learn more about the lives of our ancestors. A real education and suitable for all ages. Take advantage of a guided tour if available - that also have a superb group of visiting players

What a great visit - not the grandeur of some NT buildings but use your imagination with the excellent commentary and you will be reminded of a time not long ago before the welfare state when these buildings existed across the country.Thoroughly recommend to all - don't rush this visit explore the difficult times experienced within these walls.

The history and workings of workhouses was well explained. We were presented with many of the details which paint the human stories. I'm glad I've seen it and thought about it. My only criticism that having seen a well-produced video, we then went through and were told many of the same things again by a volunteer. After that we chose not to use the audio guide, but rather to go round at our own pace. Overall it is a thoughtfully and carefully prepared attraction, and well worth taking the trouble to go.

not your usual National Trust venue!the history of the new (1820) way of managing the unemployed and aged sick poor. up until then each parish had its poorhouse.centralisation into a hard regime of mindless work and stark surroundings would make any modern benefit recipient long for the current time.cold bare forbidding segregation of families and married couples.also a section on 1950's sheltered housing

As a workhouse this is a very well built one thick walls but also very cold I wouldn't want to live there But good for family visits and photographers

Walking up the paupers' path towards The Workhouse it is easy to imagine how the Victorian poor might have felt as they sought refuge here. This austere building, the most complete workhouse in existence, was built in 1824 as a place of last resort for the destitute. Its architecture was influenced by prison design and its harsh regime became a blueprint for workhouses throughout the country. The stories of those who lived and worked here in the 1840s help bring the building to life and prompt reflection on how society has tackled poverty through the centuries. There is also a room made out for families of no where to live in the 50/60s. How they all lived in one room. Ate sleep cooked and washed. I know I was one with a family of 6. It brought back tears to my eyes

Just excellent. Would maybe like to see alittle more of the building but I know it isn't always possible. Lots of information and the children did not feel left out at all. Very good. Will visit again!

What struck me most when I visited ( especially when you watch the introductory video) is that if you closed your eyes and couldn't see the period clothing you could almost be listening to any government minister circa 2015 talking about the welfare state " vote for us because we will cut the bill for welfare " the idea that there is a deserving poor and an idle poor persists. The old adage that "it's the poor what gets the blame" and " the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" was never more meaningful and apt and visiting the workhouse really made that even more pertinent to me. I can't comment on value because as an NT member it was free but this NT property probably has more resonance to me than any number of country houses. It is essentially an empty building as another reviewer said but the audio guide does bring it alive. I would have really liked more information about individuals who came Into this workhouse but I imagine records are simply lists of names and the people not 'important' enough to have been kept a track off. As a result of my visit I will be tracking down some books to read so I can learn more about workhouses.