This delightful museum brings together daily life in Wymondham with great events from the town's pas
Wymondham Heritage Museum tells the story of Wymondham, Norfolk, the daily lives of its inhabitants, the town’s heroes and villains and great events from its past. Situated in the Bridewell (which has served as a prison, police station and courthouse) the museum is full of history that can be enjoyed by all the family. Explore Wymondham’s colourful history and learn about its people from Prehistor
ic times, the Iron Age, the Romans and Saxons to Wymondham’s beautiful medieval Abbey. Learn about the Bridewell from its beginning in 1785 as a 'model prison' and see what life would have been like for a prisoner in the recreated dungeon. Follow the story of Robert Kett, leader of Tudor England's most inspiring rebellion. Find out about Wymondham's Great Fire of 1615 and how a new Market Cross was built. Learn about farming and shopping before mechanisation and supermarkets and visit two recreated Wymondham shops - Victorian & 1930s. Hear the story of Wymondham’s brush industry and operate a working brush-making machine. There are also displays on Victorian Wymondham and the two World Wars, DVD films and sound presentations and a variety of things for young visitors to do. Open March to October every day 1-4pm (from 2021)
Run entirely by volunteers who will be pleased to welcome you. No trip to Wymondham is complete without a visit to this remarkable museum.
Operating as usual
This month’s display of artworks in The Bridewell Tearoom is by local artist Bruce Aitchison. He is a local artist living in Norwich who creates art in watercolour, oils, pastel, chalk and pencil. He specialises in landscapes, still life and life drawing. The works of art on display are available to buy, prices and details at the museum.
It's October already! So just one month left to come and explore the fascinating exhibitions and artefacts at the museum. Don't forget, half term is looming up so bring the children along to see the spooky dungeon, work the crank, have a tasty snack in The Bridewell Tearoom and much more. Watch out for details of our popular pumpkin trail.
More on what to see in this month's Wymondham Magazine;https://www.wymondhammagazine.co.uk/issues/issue-66-october-2022.pdf
This month’s display of artworks in The Bridewell Tearoom is by the Thursday Art Group.
The artworks range from portraits to landscapes. Many of the works of art are available to buy (prices and details at the museum).
The display can be viewed during the museum's normal opening hours and there is no admission charge but it is an ideal opportunity to combine your viewing with a visit to the museum where normal admission fees will apply.
We were delighted to welcome over 90 visitors to the museum on Heritage Open Day. A word we heard often was “fantastic” plus the comment: “I didn’t know there was so much here!” The homemade sponges in the tearoom sold like, well…hot cakes.
If you didn’t make it, we’re open daily 1pm-4pm so come and enjoy the “fantastic” experience for yourselves.
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Queen. The museum was proud to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in June, an occasion which showed how much love and respect there is for her at home and abroad. With her fondness for Sandringham, Norfolk had a special place in the Queen’s heart, and the people of Norfolk have a special place for her in theirs.
HERITAGE OPEN DAY - FREE ENTRY!
SEPTEMBER 10TH 2022 1PM – 4PM
TEA ROOM OPEN
BRUSHROOM TALKS ON THE HOUR
1PM, 2PM AND 3PM
SECONDHAND BOOK STALL - PLANT SALE - ART EXHIBITION
Are the children getting bored with the school holidays? Bring them to the museum and let them clock in to the Brushroom with Briton Brush Company’s original clock. They can operate the Gane machine. Made in 1890 it was used to insert the brush fibres into predrilled holes in the wooden brush stock. Get them to count the number of different brushes we have on display. That’ll keep 'em occupied!
This month’s display of artworks in The Bridewell Tearoom is by the Monday Art Group, an informal “come and Paint” group of artists of all abilities. They meet at North Wymondham Community Centre every Monday between 2 and 4pm.
The display can be viewed during the museum's normal opening hours, there is no admission charge and you can relax with a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake or a scone. Why not combine your viewing with a visit to the museum where normal admission fees will apply.
Become a Friend of the Museum! Representatives of our Heritage Society were at the Saturday 'groups' market today.
Wymondham Heritage Museum / Heritage Society
Looking for something to do with the kids? We’re open 1pm-4pm every day, and there's a children's quiz available - or for younger ones, count the mice! Our tearoom's open weekdays until 4pm too, with homemade cakes. See prices & more information at thewhm.org.uk
If you’ve had a busy morning you might like to take it easy in the afternoon. If you’re looking for somewhere in town to chillout, pop along to The Bridewell Tearoom and relax with a cuppa. And go on, treat yourself to a freshly baked scone or a slice of homemade cake. We’re open 1pm-4pm, Monday to Friday. Entrance to the Tearoom is free but what better opportunity to have a leisurely look around the museum. Visitor information and admission prices at thewhm.org.uk
This month, the museum is hosting a display in the tearoom of artworks by the Spooner Row Art Group, a small informal group for 'artists' of all abilities who meet in the village hall on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month 1:30 - 3:30 pm (contact details for the group are available at the museum). Many of the works of art on view are available to buy. There is no admission charge to the exhibition but it is an ideal opportunity to combine your viewing with a visit to the museum, where normal admission fees will apply. The museum is open daily 1pm-4pm.
Wymondham in Bloom 2022 Public Vote
The Bridewell is best known for its time as a house of correction. However, it played an important role as a Court House. Petty sessions were held there from 1878 to 1992. We take a look at the court’s history and speak to former Norfolk coroner and mental health tribunal judge William Armstrong, pictured behind the original magistrates' bench, about his time as a solicitor appearing at the magistrates’ court in the 1970s. Read the full story in this month’s Wymondham Magazine. issue-63-july-2022.pdf (wymondhammagazine.co.uk)
Thanks to all those who visited The Bridewell Tearoom over Open Gardens Weekend. It was great to see you all and we hope you enjoyed your cream tea. Don't forget, entrance to just the Tearoom is free! So come and see us again for some more homemade fare. We're open Monday to Friday 1pm to 4pm.
THE BRIDEWELL TEAROOM
OPEN GARDENS 18th & 19th JUNE 2022
We will be serving Cream Teas with a Homemade Scone, Clotted Cream and Jam with Tea (or Coffee) from 1.00pm – 5.00pm
£4.50 per person
(please note the Museum is also open for these hours.)
WYMONDHAM OPEN GARDENS
This Saturday and Sunday June 18th and 19th. Entry by programme, adults £5, children free - available from the museum (programme includes entry to the museum), Wymondham Tourist Information Centre, George Reeves, Marmalade Tree and Wymondham Garden Centre.
Come and see the museum’s tranquil garden and don’t forget to pop into The Bridewell Tearoom.
On display in The Bridewell Tearoom are paintings by local artist Pauline Bayfield. Pauline is a mixed media artist based in Norfolk. She finds inspiration for her paintings in the landscape and wildlife of the East Anglian countryside, as well as her favourite haunts of Cornwall and The Peak District. Paintings on display are available to purchase, prices and details at the museum.
For more about Pauline and to see more examples of her stunning artwork visit her website at www.paulinebayfield.co.uk
For the Coronation in 1953 seven-year-old David Brackenbury entered a dressing up competition. David is pictured on the right with his friend Trevor Reynolds. David, now a volunteer at the museum, still has his costume and it will be on view as part of our Jubilee exhibition. Also on display are photos, books, memorabilia plus china from the Coronation and Jubilees. Make a visit to the museum part of your celebrations.
The cost of living is rising, so if you’re looking for somewhere to go that’s not too expensive and value for money. Look no further than the museum. Lots to see and do for adults and children. The spooky dungeon, the cells, work a 1960s switchboard, the wishing well, the old shops, plus the history of the town and its people. Open daily 1pm-4pm, admission is just £4.50 for adults, concessions £3.50; children £1.50, under fives free. A family ticket is only £9 for two adults and up to three children. Beat that for value!
Round off your visit in The Bridewell Tearoom with a cuppa, a slice of homemade cake or a scone. For the kids, a snack and a soft drink. Tearoom open Monday to Friday.
Find out more at www.thewhm.org.uk
We had our official opening today (Saturday). Our committee chair Amanda Oelrichs welcomed guests before handing over to William Armstrong. William and Charles Armstrong were there to launch the exhibition charting the history of the Regal Cinema. The display was made possible thanks to the bequest of their brother Michael who was a passionate supporter of the Regal since the age of ten. The Armstrong brothers were joined by Jean Clarke, a former usherette and daughter of onetime cinema owner Bert Caley. Also there were former employees of the Chas H Standley's hardware store, now recreated in the museum plus town Mayor Kevin Hurn and his wife Sharron.
To relax there’s nothing like sinking into your armchair with a cup of coffee, a Hobnob and a good book. You supply the drink and biscuit (or buy in our tearoom!) - for the book, come along to our book sale at the museum on Saturday April 16th 1pm-4pm. While you’re there, take a look around the museum and see our fascinating new displays.
The Easter Bunny has asked us to remind you that he hopped into the museum and hid lots of clues for our Easter Egg Hunt. Come and see if you can find where he burrowed among the displays to hide them. The hunt is on from Friday April 15th to Monday April 18th, 1pm-4pm. Free admission for children accompanied by an adult. Oh, and the Bunny says, he’s left a free Easter prize for every child taking part.
There’s lots going on at the museum this Easter.
The Easter Egg Hunt is back! Bring the children along from Friday April 15th to Monday April 18th, 1pm to 4pm. Free entry for children accompanied by an adult. Search for clues around the museum and win an Easter prize. A prize for every child that takes part.
For all bookworms, don’t miss the book sale at the museum 1pm to 4pm. on Saturday April 16th
The museum’s first art exhibition for 2022 is a display by mother and daughter artists, Molly Rockley and Colleen Collins. Molly specialises in cityscapes landscapes and people from around the world. Daughter Colleen inspired by our stunning Norfolk coast and Cornwall, specialises in waves/rocks/seascapes. As well as Norfolk, their paintings have been exhibited as far afield as USA, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Singapore and Harvard University, USA. Now you can see them in The Bridewell Tearoom while you relax and enjoy a tea or coffee and a slice of homemade cake. The display can be viewed during the museum's normal opening hours and there is no admission charge but it is an ideal opportunity to combine your viewing with a visit to the museum where normal admission fees will apply.
The doors are open! There’ll be a welcome at the museum daily 1pm-4pm until October 29th. The Tearoom is open Monday to Friday. Come and see the new displays; The Regal Cinema, the boys in blue who patrolled the town and the history of the town crier's bell. Revisit some of the regular exhibitions, the Brushroom, the town’s lost pubs; there’ll be something you missed the first time!
Wymondham Heritage Museum updated their business hours.
Evenin’ all. What was this policeman’s lot like in the 1950s? Come and see our display telling how the long arm of the law pounded the beat in Wymondham in the last century. Not long to wait, the museum opens on Monday at 1pm!
Only four more sleeps before the museum opens!
We used to call it “The Pictures” or “The Flicks”. Did you and your sweetheart sit on the back row at the cinema? Come and relive the glory days of The Regal Cinema with our exhibition tracing its history from the showing of Swing Time, its first film, in 1937 to its closure in 1993.
Just one week to go before we open. We’re putting the finishing touches to our new displays and sprucing up the museum. Pictured is display manager Sarah, dismantling last year’s Fire Service display. Come and see what’s taken its place. We’re open from next Monday daily 1pm to 4pm, Tearoom Monday to Friday.
With just over a week until we open we are looking for volunteers as Stewards and to help in the Bridewell Tearoom. Training will be given. Stewards open the museum, greet visitors, collect entry fees, point them in the right direction, answer questions and close at the end of the day. In the Bridewell Tearoom help to serve drinks and light refreshments. If you can spare just three hours a month please contact us at [email protected]
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY. The museum opens for the new season on April 4th, daily 1pm-4pm. New for 2022 include the town crier's historic bell plus a look at the town's police force over the past century and the history of the Regal Cinema. Don't forget the Bridewell Tearoom will be open Monday to Friday for a slice of homemade cake and a cuppa.
Read more about our opening here: https://www.edp24.co.uk/lifestyle/heritage/wymondham-heritage-museum-open-new-season-april-2022-8756944
This week's Radio Norfolk Treasure Hunt used the museum for one of its clues. Committee chair Amanda Oelirichs is pictured talking to presenter Julie Reinger in the Brushroom.
We were recently visited by Year 5 pupils at Robert Kett Primary who are studying 'Crime & Punishment'. They were particularly interested in trying out the 'fiddle' around their hands (not their necks) - but we didn't lock anyone in it!
Here's an advert for a part-time role at the Tourist Information Centre. A lovely job for anyone who wants to share their enthusiasm for Wymondham and Norfolk!
Wymondham Town Council
Council Offices
Ketts Park Town Mayor: Town Clerk;
Harts Farm Road Kevin Hurn Trevor Gurney
Wymondham, Norfolk Phone: 01953 603302
NR18 0UT
Wymondham Tourist Information Centre – Vacancy
Wymondham Tourist Information Centre has an opportunity to join the staff. The successful applicant will be based at the TIC at the Market Cross,and will share the hours with the existing staff member. Occasional Saturday and Bank Holiday working will be required.
If you are flexible, customer-aware, enthusiastic, and self-motivated you might be the person we are looking for. An interest/knowledge of Wymondham and Norfolk would also be very useful, together with basic computer skills – Word, email, and the internet.
Usual full seasonal opening hours:
Summer: (end Mar to end Oct) – open 4 days a week – Mon, Wed, Fri 10.00am -2.30pm; Sat10.00am -1.30pm; Bank Hols 10.00am -1.00pm.
Winter: (Nov to Mar) – open 2 days a week – Fri, Sat 10.00-12.00 noon. Closed over Christmas & New Year.
The shared working arrangements can be discussed, but it might be one or two days a week or fortnight, plus covering holidays and sickness.
Please note – the Market Cross is accessible only by the external staircase and there are no water/toilet facilities there.
Pay is £9.62 per hour on a zero-hours contract.
Please request an application form from: Wymondham Town Council [email protected]
Closing date Friday 19th February 2022.
Have you got this Sunday in your diary? It’s Wynterfest! There’s lots going on in the town and the museum will be open from 12 to 5 with free entry. Janice, our Tearoom manager, will be there to welcome you and serve homemade soup and a roll, homemade mince pies plus tea and coffee. Pop in and discover Wymondham’s fascinating past.
Do you recognise this bag? It was left at the museum by a visitor. If it's yours or you know who owns it please contact us at [email protected]
Already the season is drawing to a close. We shut the doors for the winter on Saturday October 30th. But for the next two weeks we’ll still be open daily 1pm to 4pm including half term, so bring the children. Take them down to the dungeon to discover the life of a prisoner in the 19th century. Show them the goods their ancestors bought in the shops, how they farmed and the work they did in the brush factory. Then Monday to Friday treat them to a snack in the Tearoom where they can drop a coin in the well and make a wish. You just might like a slice of homemade cake yourself!
Our model of the Market Cross was made in 1955 by two pupils who attended Browick Road School. The details we had suggested there were two models and appealed to visitors for information as to the whereabouts of the other one. Recently, Dick Bulititude, one of the boys who made the original model, visited the museum to see his handiwork for the first time in 66 years. He solved the mystery of the missing model. There never was one. Read the full story in the latest issue of the Wymondham Magazine. https://www.wymondham-mag.co.uk/?utm_campaign=8bb13038-54a3-40d7-b430-01009164dba1&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=fb82f679-ce7e-4c2c-83f7-c6bda7194831
BOOK SALE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11th, 1pm-3pm
The nights are pulling in, time to stock up on your autumn reading. Come along to our book sale at the museum. Enjoy a cuppa and a slice of homemadde cake in The Bridewell Tearoom.
Some restrictions will be lifted from Monday July 19th, but we want to make sure our visitors and staff continue to feel safe. We will retain some of the measure we already have in place, including Perspex screens in reception and the tearoom, and hand sanitisers. While face coverings and social distancing will no longer be mandatory, we know that these practices provide reassurance to some so you may choose to wear a mask and we ask that you respect those who would like some additional space when viewing displays.
As we edge towards a normal way of life, come and see what was normal for our ancestors!
Not long to go now! The museum opens on Monday. We’ve been busy making sure it’s safe for both visitors and staff. So come and enjoy a leisurely journey round The Bridewell and learn about Wymondham’s rich heritage. If you thought lockdown in the pandemic was isolation, visit the dungeon and see what life was like for prisoners locked away below ground. Round off your visit with a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake or a scone in The Bridewell Tearoom.
Wymondham Heritage Museum updated their info in the about section.
Don't forget the date. The museum opens on MONDAY JUNE 21st, daily 1pm to 4pm - yes, we'll be open on Sundays too! Pop in and delve into Wymondham's historic past.
The Bridewell Tearoom will be open Monday to Friday 1pm to 4pm. Have a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake and relax in the courtyard garden.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY, MONDAY JUNE 21st.
That’s the day we will be welcoming visitors to the museum once again. Make sure your roadmap takes you to The Bridewell. Find out how the folks of Wymondham in the past worked, rested and played. The Damgate Stores and The Little Dustpan give a nostalgic insight to what was in the shopping baskets at the turn of the last century. Displays include the Robert Kett story, Wymondham Women of World War 1, the history of the local Fire Service and a celebration of the town’s brush industry.
The museum will be open Monday-Saturday 1pm-4pm, and we hope to open on Sundays too - watch this space. The Bridewell Tearoom will be open Monday-Friday 1pm-4pm.
Last year we asked for your Covid experiences so we could build an archive. Christine Watts told us she was making scrubs for the NHS and care homes. We are renewing our appeal. We have teamed up with Olive Carrick, a student at City College, who is producing a film documenting peoples experiences of lockdown, from mental health decline and isolation to home schooling kids and cutting the families hair, to finding hobbies and skills. We will have the finished film to show in the museum and on our social media platforms.
If you can help Olive with her project and to build the museum’s archive, please email your Covid story and photos to [email protected]
The Heritage Society's first meeting of the year is tomorrow (Thurs 25th) at 7.30pm via Zoom - the subject is 'Wymondham Walks' by Georgette Vale. Members should have received an email with details.
Any non-members who are interested, please see details here: https://www.wymondhamheritagemuseum.co.uk/?p=programme
Due to the continuing pandemic restrictions, it is not possible to hold the Society's regular monthly meetings at the Fairland Hall. Therefore until the current restrictions are eased, the meetings will be held virtually as Zoom meetings. All Society members should receive a Zoom meeting link by ema...
See article in the Mercury - at Easter we could possibly start planning for reopening, whenever restrictions allow.
Sadly, actual reopening may be a little while off yet.
A museum which has documented the history of a Norfolk market town has "pencilled in" a potential date for reopening to the public after a "frustrating"...
10 The Bridewell, Norwich Road
Wymondham
NR180NS
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Wymondham Heritage Museum tells the story of Wymondham, the daily lives of its inhabitants, the town’s heroes and villains and great events from its past. Situated in the Bridewell, which has served as a prison, police station and courthouse, it is full of history that can be enjoyed by all the family. Explore Wymondham’s colourful history and learn about its people from Prehistoric times, the Iron Age, the Romans and Saxons to Wymondham’s beautiful medieval Abbey. Learn about the Bridewell from its beginning in 1785 as a 'model prison' and see what life would have been like for a prisoner in the recreated dungeon. Follow the story of Robert Kett, leader of Tudor England's most inspiring rebellion. Find out about Wymondham's Great Fire of 1615 and how a new Market Cross was built. Learn about farming and shopping before mechanisation and supermarkets and visit a recreated Wymondham 1930s grocery and general store. Hear the story of Wymondham’s brush industry and operate a working brush-making machine. There are also displays on Victorian Wymondham and the two World Wars, interactive displays and sound presentations and a variety of things for young visitors to do. Open March to October Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm and Sun 1pm - 4pm. Check website for exact dates. Run entirely by volunteers who will be pleased to welcome you. No trip to Wymondham is complete without a visit to this remarkable museum.
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