The Workhouse & Infirmary

Name: The Workhouse & Infirmary
Address: The Workhouse, Upton Road, Southwell, NG250PT, GB
Telephone: 01636 817260
Price range: £
Rating: 4.8

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The Workhouse & Infirmary

Built in 1824, Southwell Workhouse is one of the best preserved workhouses in England. Discover the most complete workhouse in existence.
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Find out about the Reverend Becher, the founder of The Workhouse and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the building. Learn about the true stories of the 19th-century poor, brought to life by real archive evidence. Discover how society dealt with poverty through the centuries right up to the modern day. Explore the segregated work yards, day rooms, dormitories, master's quarters and cell

ars, then see the recreated working 19th-century garden and find out what food the paupers would have eaten.

28/08/2026

🌦️ Will you be joining us this bank holiday weekend?

There may be some rain on the cards, but don’t let that stop you. There’s plenty to do both inside and out.

🎲 Summer of Play
Have fun playing traditional games with a Workhouse twist, or head outside for a game of swing ball, football and more.

🗒️ Cheer Up Chuckaboo Trail
Discover the long-lost words of Victorian slang as you explore the site. £3 per trail.

💡 Shedding Light on Personal Narratives
Uncover fascinating stories hidden in plain sight.

🎭 Tales from The Workhouse (Saturday & Monday)
Meet our costumed characters and discover what life was really like in the past.

So, whether you’re looking to burn off some energy, discover a story or simply enjoy a day exploring somewhere fascinating, we’ve got you covered — come rain or shine ☔️☀️

Open all bank holiday weekend, 10.30 - 16.00 (last entry 15.00).

Head to our website for full details.

📷 David Kissman

25/08/2026

Today, we had a very special visitor at The Workhouse & Infirmary.

Michael Perkins was just six years old when he came to live here around 1948. By then, the building was no longer a workhouse and had been taken over by the local authority, providing accommodation for local families.

Michael lived in the bedsit with his mum and siblings before later going into the care system.

Michael has returned to The Workhouse several times over the years, revisiting the place that formed part of his early childhood and sharing his memories with us.

His story is part of our oral history collection and can be heard in the display room on the top floor of The Workhouse, giving visitors the chance to hear first-hand about life here.

Michael also features in the National Trust podcast, 'The Workhouse | One Step Up From Prison?', which you can listen to on your favourite podcast platform.

We look forward to welcoming Michael back in the spring, when he’ll return with friends for a group visit.

📷 Fiona Lewin

24/08/2026

What’s happening at The Workhouse this week?

There’s plenty to discover, explore and enjoy at The Workhouse & Infirmary this week. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a little time to slow down, or simply something different to do.

🎲 Summer of Play | Every day
From giant chess and draughts to swing ball, football and traditional games with a Workhouse twist.

🗒 Cheer Up Chuckaboo Trail | Every day
Discover the long-lost words of Victorian slang. £3 per trail

🧘 Playful Yoga | Wednesday
Enjoy a little summer self-care with our free family yoga session.

🌱 Kitchen Garden Tour | Wednesday
Explore the recreated Victorian vegetable garden and find out more about the heritage varieties grown here.

🥾 Wellness Walk | Friday
Take a little time out and enjoy some fresh air and a chat on this social walk around Southwell.

🎭 Tales from The Workhouse | Saturday
Join our costumed characters and discover what life was really like in the past.

Head to our website for the full details at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/theworkhouse

19/08/2026

A Summer of Play at The Workhouse & Infirmary 🎲

Step back in time and discover family fun inspired by the past. Dress up as a pauper, nurse or even the Master, explore the historic buildings and gardens, and challenge each other to a whole host of games.

Stack ‘em high and watch ‘em fly in Tin Can Alley, test your aim at quoits, take on the speedy Bishop in our new Chess Catcher game, or hunt for the wooden spoons in A Spoonful of Gruel.

There’s giant chess and draughts, giant Snakes & Ladders, swing ball, football and traditional board games too — fun for the whole family.

📅 Every day until 6 September
⌚ 10.30 - 16.00 (last admission 15.00)
🎟️ Free event, normal admission applies
🗒 No booking required

📷 David Kissman

17/08/2026

Our Workhouse Wellness Walks, on the last Friday of every month, are a great way to meet new people and enjoy some gentle exercise outdoors.

⌚ 10.45 - 12.00
📍 Start & finish at The Workhouse car park
👟 75 minute walk (or 30 minute option)
🐕 Dogs on leads welcome
📆 Next walk: Friday 28 August

Free event, no booking required, just turn up and enjoy the walk.

14/08/2026

🥕 Pauper Picking is tomorrow!

Take a closer look at the kitchen garden at The Workhouse & Infirmary tomorrow, Saturday 15 August, from 11.00 - 14.00.

Meet our volunteer gardeners, dressed as paupers, and discover what we grow, how we grow it and what might historically have been grown here.

You can pick up some useful gardening tips and recipes too, then take home some freshly picked produce in return for a donation.

No booking required, just come along and explore. Admission applies.

🎩 And there’s plenty more to enjoy this weekend, including Tales from The Workhouse on Saturday, plus Summer of Play and our family trails which run every day.

📸 David Kissman

09/08/2026

What’s happening at The Workhouse & Infirmary this week?

The summer holidays are in full swing, we’re open every day and there is so much to do.

This week:
🎲 Enjoy Summer of Play where family fun gets a Victorian twist
🔎 Uncover Victorian words with the Cheer Up Chuckaboo Trail
💡 Discover hidden stories with Shedding Light on Personal Narratives
🎭 Meet costumed characters with Tales from The Workhouse
🧘 Enjoy a family yoga session
🥕 Join our volunteers for Pauper Picking

And, of course, there’s the Workhouse & Infirmary itself to explore, along with the kitchen garden.

📅 Open daily throughout the Nottinghamshire school holidays
🕥 10.30–16.00. Last entry 15.00

For full details, go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/the-workhouse-and-infirmary/events

📸 David Kissman

06/08/2026

💡 Look a little closer on your next visit…

Shedding Light on Personal Narratives invites you to discover The Workhouse & Infirmary from a new perspective.

As you explore the historic buildings, you’ll uncover fascinating stories hidden in plain sight – from secret sundials scratched into the exercise yard walls and the arrival of electric lighting, to the way daylight shaped daily life for the people who lived and worked here.

Through a series of interpretation panels and objects displayed around the site, discover how light influenced everything from healthcare and architecture to photography and conservation.

Display running until Sunday 6 September.

📆 Open every day
🕰 10.30 - 16.00 (last entry 15.00)

04/08/2026

🧘‍♀️☀️ Stretch, move and imagine this summer!

Join us for a free family yoga session at The Workhouse & Infirmary, where little ones (and grown-ups too!) can enjoy a playful journey through the sights and sounds of summer.

Inspired by a day at the beach, this interactive 30-minute session combines movement, imagination and plenty of fun – the perfect way to add a little summer self-care to your visit.

📅 Wednesdays: 5, 12, 19 & 26 August
🕥 11.00 (30 minute session)
🎟️ Free event, admission applies, no booking required

After the session, explore the historic buildings, discover Summer of Play and enjoy a treat in the Infirmary cafe 🍰

02/08/2026

Step into Southwell's past with our Becher Walk.

Join Reverend John T Becher, founder of The Workhouse & Infirmary, for a guided walk through the town he helped shape.

This 2.5-mile historical walk explores Southwell during a time of great change, as Becher shares his story as a churchman, magistrate and social reformer, bringing the past to life along the way.

📅 Next walk: Wednesday 5 August
🕰 10.45 - 12.30
📍 Meet in the visitor car park
🎟 Free event

Due to limited spaces, booking is advised at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/the-workhouse-and-infirmary/events/12d43aec-ec39-4fe1-b58f-91b79dd0f2e7

📷 David Kissman/Tammy Herd

Address

The Workhouse, Upton Road
Southwell
NG250PT

Telephone

01636 817260

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/theworkhouse

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