Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse. Museum of Norfolk Life. Part of Norfolk Museums Service. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a truly unique museum.
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Visit its 50-acre site and discover the historic workhouse, thrilling adventure playground, traditional farm with rare breed animals and beautiful, unspoilt grounds.
Operating as usual
Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse is a place for laughter and fun 😆
Will you be joining us on site today?
Did you know.. We are now accepting walk ins on the day, so come along and enjoy a day out at #Gressenhall
Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse is a place for laughter and fun 😆
Will you be joining us on site today?
Did you know.. We are now accepting walk ins on the day, so come along and enjoy a day out at #Gressenhall
What’s on this weekend?
Sat & Sun – Burn off energy at Gressenhall with our family fun activities, themed ‘terrific tractors’.
Sun only – As part of the event Demonstration Sunday, we are delighted to welcome Mid Norfolk Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers with a demonstration of their many skills and talent.
🎟️ All activities are included in general admission. Pre booking is not required.
What’s on this weekend?
Sat & Sun – Burn off energy at Gressenhall with our family fun activities, themed ‘terrific tractors’.
Sun only – As part of the event Demonstration Sunday, we are delighted to welcome Mid Norfolk Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers with a demonstration of their many skills and talent.
🎟️ All activities are included in general admission. Pre booking is not required.
If you visited us in April, you would have received a gift of wildflower seeds 🌺🐝
Did you plant them in your garden? If so, by now they will be providing an array of colour and a valuable food source for insects.
We would love to see your wildflowers, share them with us by using #Gressenhall
#FarmFriday
If you visited us in April, you would have received a gift of wildflower seeds 🌺🐝
Did you plant them in your garden? If so, by now they will be providing an array of colour and a valuable food source for insects.
We would love to see your wildflowers, share them with us by using #Gressenhall
#FarmFriday
It’s not just the objects on display which tell a story, at Gressenhall it’s the building itself.
The workhouse was built in 1777, one of the earliest ‘Houses of Industry’ in Norfolk. The building was used as a workhouse until 1948 when it became a care home for the elderly. It has now been a museum for over 40 years.
Look carefully at the workhouse stairs and you can see that the treads have been worn down by the many people who have walked its corridors over time.
#WorkhouseWednesday
It’s not just the objects on display which tell a story, at Gressenhall it’s the building itself.
The workhouse was built in 1777, one of the earliest ‘Houses of Industry’ in Norfolk. The building was used as a workhouse until 1948 when it became a care home for the elderly. It has now been a museum for over 40 years.
Look carefully at the workhouse stairs and you can see that the treads have been worn down by the many people who have walked its corridors over time.
#WorkhouseWednesday
How do we look after people who need our help❔ This question has been asked ever since people lived together.
Gressenhall Workhouse is one answer.
Watch our informative video looking at ‘The Deserving Poor, Life in a Workhouse’.
https://youtu.be/evkvzJaUfuY
@norfolk_inspire
Last week we were delighted to welcome @sensationalfamilies to Gressenhall to evaluate our new adventure playground.
The new playground incorporates many new features to enhance accessibility for our visitors.
These include improved access to the toilets, new equipment promoting sensory stimulation, a double width low level slide, space allowance for parent/ carer supervision, brand-new rubber bonded flooring on specific play equipment and a new basket swing.
We hope you enjoyed our first Demonstration Sunday session, cooking using forged foods.
Next up… we are delighted to welcome Mid Norfolk Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers with a demonstration of their many skills and talent.
Sunday 1 August, 10am to 4.30pm.
🎟 Activity included in general admission.
📸 @ mark_johson_esquire
We hope you enjoyed our first Demonstration Sunday session, cooking using forged foods.
Next up… we are delighted to welcome Mid Norfolk Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers with a demonstration of their many skills and talent.
Sunday 1 August, 10am to 4.30pm.
🎟 Activity included in general admission.
📸 @ mark_johson_esquire
There is beauty all around you 🍃
#Gressenhall
There is beauty all around you 🍃
#Gressenhall
Join us today for our family fun activities and our FIRST Demonstration Sunday session, cooking using foraged foods.
The weather is looking dry 🌤
#Event #Demonstration #Norfolk #Cooking #Foods #ForagedFoods #Foraged #Gressenhall #FarmHouse #Cottage
Join us today for our family fun activities and our FIRST Demonstration Sunday session, cooking using foraged foods.
The weather is looking dry 🌤
#Event #Demonstration #Norfolk #Cooking #Foods #ForagedFoods #Foraged #Gressenhall #FarmHouse #Cottage
Let out your inner Picasso at Gressenhall.
Our giant chalk boards bring hours of endless fun 🎨
#Gressenhall #Holiday #SummerHoliday #Art #Craft #SchoolsOut #Summer #ChildrenActivities
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Let out your inner Picasso at Gressenhall.
Our giant chalk boards bring hours of endless fun 🎨
#Gressenhall #Holiday #SummerHoliday #Art #Craft #SchoolsOut #Summer #ChildrenActivities
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It is the first weekend of the summer holiday and our Terrific Tractors summer activities 🥳✨
What's going on?
Test your farming knowledge with our fun trail and quizzes.
Have fun being creative on our giant chalkboards.
Run, jump and hop your way to the end of our fun obstacle course.
Jump on board a pedal tractor and help bring in the harvest.
Get your pencil ready, it is time to draw a tractor!
Finish your day with a fun game of charades.
🎟️ Activities included in general admission.
It is the first weekend of the summer holiday and our Terrific Tractors summer activities 🥳✨
What's going on?
Test your farming knowledge with our fun trail and quizzes.
Have fun being creative on our giant chalkboards.
Run, jump and hop your way to the end of our fun obstacle course.
Jump on board a pedal tractor and help bring in the harvest.
Get your pencil ready, it is time to draw a tractor!
Finish your day with a fun game of charades.
🎟️ Activities included in general admission.
Roger, our Norfolk Horn ram, enjoying feeding time on Gressenhall Farm 🐑
Nom nom!
#FarmFriday
Roger, our Norfolk Horn ram, enjoying feeding time on Gressenhall Farm 🐑
Nom nom!
#FarmFriday
📣 *Sound on* 📣
The swifts putting on a good display this morning.
Swifts spend the winter in Africa but travel to Britain every year in April and May.
Stand in the Gressenhall Laundry courtyard and you will see them soaring overhead.
They are dark brown in colour, but against the sky they appear black. They have with a small, pale patch on their throat and a forked tail.
They can often be spotted in groups, calling to each other with high-pitched screams.
Swifts spend most of their lives flying – even sleeping, eating and drinking. They only ever land to nest.
Summer holiday starts today 🥳
We are delighted to be hosting an exciting events programme for the summer holiday period ✨
Perfectly curated to offer events and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Is there anything better than a day out at Gressenhall?
Please visit the link below for our full events programme.
http://ow.ly/HZW350Fxm9G
#WhatsOnNorfolk #VisitNorfolk #EnjoyNorfolk
Summer holiday starts today 🥳
We are delighted to be hosting an exciting events programme for the summer holiday period ✨
Perfectly curated to offer events and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Is there anything better than a day out at Gressenhall?
Please visit the link below for our full events programme.
http://ow.ly/HZW350Fxm9G
#WhatsOnNorfolk #VisitNorfolk #EnjoyNorfolk
We are very excited to be welcoming an art installation, by artist Kate Munro, to Gressenhall this summer! ☀️
Here is a sneak peek of what is to come...
This sculpture is a result of a science-art collaboration, exploring the link between food security and biodiversity, and linked to the Dippy the Dinosaur visit at Norwich Cathedral.
Pupils in 4 rural Norfolk schools learnt about growing wheat- an essential crop for feeding an ever-increasing population- and some of the diseases, especially yellow stem rust, that can threaten its production.
📸 Kate Munro
#DippyOnTour #NorwichDippyOnTour #Norwich #NorwichCatherdral #VisitNorfolk #VisitNorwich
Norwich Cathedral
We are very excited to be welcoming an art installation, by artist Kate Munro, to Gressenhall this summer! ☀️
Here is a sneak peek of what is to come...
This sculpture is a result of a science-art collaboration, exploring the link between food security and biodiversity, and linked to the Dippy the Dinosaur visit at Norwich Cathedral.
Pupils in 4 rural Norfolk schools learnt about growing wheat- an essential crop for feeding an ever-increasing population- and some of the diseases, especially yellow stem rust, that can threaten its production.
📸 Kate Munro
#DippyOnTour #NorwichDippyOnTour #Norwich #NorwichCatherdral #VisitNorfolk #VisitNorwich
Norwich Cathedral
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse updated their information in their About section.
Thank you Visit Norfolk for sharing our exciting events programme 🎉
Perfectly curated to offer events and activities for the whole family to enjoy!
👉 https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/inspire/Gressenhall-Summer-2021.aspx
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is delighted to reveal its events programme for the summer holiday period. Perfectly curated to offer events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Starting the summer off, Gressenhall will be offering a wide range of additional children's activities throughout....
We are thrilled to be welcoming Strange Fascination Theatre to Gressenhall this summer!
Settle down in the Courtyard and enjoy one of the best loved pirate adventures of young Jim Hawkins and his quest to find buried treasure.
Full details and to book your space 👇
https://norfolk-museums.arttickets.org.uk/gressenhall-farm-workhouse/2021-08-20-treasure-island-an-outdoor-theatre-performance?t=1626347512964
A beautiful addition to Gressenhall 💙 🐝
This plant is a Geranium x magnificum.
It has a rather short flowering season but a stunning colour and makes for a real show in the Cottage Garden. It is also hardy, vigorous, and trouble-free, all qualities valuable for the Gressenhall borders.
The weather is looking dry and warm this weekend, so why not pop down to Gressenhall and see these flowers in real life.
One week to go! 🌟
SUMMER HOLIDAY: TERRIFIC TRACTORS
Thursday 22 July - Sunday 15 August
What’s going on?
Test your farming knowledge with our fun quizzes.
Have fun being creative on our giant chalkboards.
Run, jump and hop your way to the end of our fun obstacle course.
Jump on board a pedal tractor and help bring in the harvest.
Get your pencil ready, it's time to draw a tractor!
Finish your day with a fun game of charades.
🎟️ Activities included in general admission.
One week to go! 🌟
SUMMER HOLIDAY: TERRIFIC TRACTORS
Thursday 22 July - Sunday 15 August
What’s going on?
Test your farming knowledge with our fun quizzes.
Have fun being creative on our giant chalkboards.
Run, jump and hop your way to the end of our fun obstacle course.
Jump on board a pedal tractor and help bring in the harvest.
Get your pencil ready, it's time to draw a tractor!
Finish your day with a fun game of charades.
🎟️ Activities included in general admission.
#MoreInCommons
There has been common land in Norfolk from Roman times. After the Norman conquest in 1066, the rights to use common land were formalised. The land was owned by a Lord. Local people had the right to pasture livestock, fish, take wood and fuel.
Over the years commoners rights were reduced and they were banned from hunting on the land. This was one of the reasons for Kett’s rebellion in 1549.
Despite riots and rebellions, commons were gradually reduced during the 16th and 17th centuries. Wealthy Landowners ‘enclosed’ parcels of land.
Enclosure continued alongside changes in technology and agriculture in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many people moved to cities. The commons that remained were poor quality farming land. During the 19th century efforts to maintain them as wildlife preserves began.
📸 Richard Osbourne
#Commons #NatureInspired #NWT #NorfolkWildlifeTrust #MoreInCommons #LockdownInCommons #FutureInCommons #Exhibition #TemporaryExhibition
Collections care starts with good housekeeping!
We regularly clean the museum stores to keep them free from dust and dirt and to discourage pests. Here’s Sami and Anne cleaning in the furniture and art store.
#BehindTheScenes #WorkhouseWednesday
The most asked about plant at Gressenhall! 🤍
The Cornus kousa is spectacular when in bloom and is not often seen.
It will sometimes set strawberry-like edible fruit and the leaves colour well in autumn.
#Flower #Flowers #CottageGarden #Gressenhall #Gardens #Gardening #Gardener #Gardeners #VisitorAttraction #WalledGarden #HistoricGarden
As well as a member of the front of house team, Alice is also a garden volunteer! 🍃🌺
"I have been volunteering here for over nine years. I love Gressenhall and gardening ... it is something I can do to make a positive difference to visitors and staff".
Thanks Alice!
#Flower #Flowers #CottageGarden #Gressenhall #Gardens #Gardening #Gardener #Gardeners #VisitorAttraction #Volunteer #Volunteering #WalledGarden #HistoricGarden
As well as a member of the front of house team, Alice is also a garden volunteer! 🍃🌺
"I have been volunteering here for over nine years. I love Gressenhall and gardening ... it is something I can do to make a positive difference to visitors and staff".
Thanks Alice!
#Flower #Flowers #CottageGarden #Gressenhall #Gardens #Gardening #Gardener #Gardeners #VisitorAttraction #Volunteer #Volunteering #WalledGarden #HistoricGarden
Get crafty during Art Attack 🖍️🎨
Tomorrow, we will be making tiaras and crowns. We can not wait to see your wonderful creations!
Sunday's 4, 11 & 18 July, 10am - 4pm.
🎟️ Activity included in general admission.
#Crafts #ChildrenCrafts #NaturalCrafts #Gressenhall #Summer #Norfolk #VisitNorfolk #ExploreNorfolk #Explore #Discover #Adventure #DiscoverNorfolk #NorfolkStaycation #Wildlife #Nature #DaysOutInNorfolk #FamilyTime #NatureWalks #NaturalPlay #NorfolkFun #ExploreOutdoors #NorfolkBloggers #Weekend #WeekendTreat
Get crafty during Art Attack 🖍️🎨
Tomorrow, we will be making tiaras and crowns. We can not wait to see your wonderful creations!
Sunday's 4, 11 & 18 July, 10am - 4pm.
🎟️ Activity included in general admission.
#Crafts #ChildrenCrafts #NaturalCrafts #Gressenhall #Summer #Norfolk #VisitNorfolk #ExploreNorfolk #Explore #Discover #Adventure #DiscoverNorfolk #NorfolkStaycation #Wildlife #Nature #DaysOutInNorfolk #FamilyTime #NatureWalks #NaturalPlay #NorfolkFun #ExploreOutdoors #NorfolkBloggers #Weekend #WeekendTreat
Get crafty during Art Attack 🖍️🎨
Tomorrow, we will be making tiaras and crowns. We can not wait to see your wonderful creations!
Sunday's 4, 11 & 18 July, 10am - 4pm.
🎟️ Activity included in general admission.
Get crafty during Art Attack 🖍️🎨
Tomorrow, we will be making tiaras and crowns. We can not wait to see your wonderful creations!
Sunday's 4, 11 & 18 July, 10am - 4pm.
🎟️ Activity included in general admission.
For this weeks #FarmFriday we are looking at bees! 🐝
Bees are a vital component of a healthy environment, they provide an invaluable service for biodiversity by pollinating flowers and crops.
Did you know?
At Gressenhall we host two hives of honey bees which are carefully looked after by our beekeeper Venetia Rist.
The bees collect nectar and pollen from a wide variety of plants, the nectar to make honey, and the pollen to feed their brood. They will regularly fly up to three miles to a good food source but can travel even further if necessary.
In a normal year, the bees will overwinter as a clustered ball of about 20,000 bees surrounding the queen. In Spring the queen will start laying again and the colony can build up to about 60,000 bees. In the Summer, bees only live for six weeks, so the queen is continually laying eggs, up to 2,000 eggs per day, to keep up the numbers. In the winter the bees live for about six months as there is no foraging to be done and no brood to rear.
Honey bees have a natural way of increasing the number of colonies through swarming, usually in May and June. When their nest becomes overcrowded, they rear a new queen. The old queen leaves the hive with up to half the bees and they look for a new home. The swarm usually emerges from the hive at about 10.30 in the morning, and ‘hangs up’ in a nearby tree. They will stay there, quietly, until the scout bees have found a suitable home for them to go to. Once they decide where that will be, they will take off all together, maybe later that same day or the next day mid-morning. The sound is impressively loud, but the swarm poses no threat, they are on a mission. Beekeepers try to collect the swarm and put it in a new hive to start a new colony.
Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk
Dereham
NR20 4DR
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Our Make It Monday today is all about our be-ewe-tiful Norfolk Horn sheep! Have a go and remeber to share with your flock!
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Be part of the Kick the Dust ‘BEHIND GLASS’ virtual museum this summer! Make a MUSEUM IN A JAR and tell us in ONE object how lockdown has been for you! We have a target of 100 jars - one for every day of lockdown - and every single entry will be featured online in the virtual museum. Watch this short film to find out how… For more information or to submit your entry, please email Rachel Duffield at [email protected]
Welcome to Make It Monday! This week we are keeping the birds happy and making a pine cone bird feeder. These were ever so popular at our Victorian Christmas event - we hope you enjoy making them at home too. Remember to share your bird feeder with us in the comments below.
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a truly unique museum. Visit its 50-acre site and discover the historic workhouse, museum of life on the land, traditional farm with rare breed animals and beautiful, unspoilt grounds.
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