The Workhouse, Southwell

View of the front of The Workhouse in autumn showing the garden with pumpkins and apples — The Workhouse and garden in autumn

A basket of apples on the grass in front of The Workhouse building — The famous Bramley apple originates from Southwell

Empty newly conserved and wallpapered room — Firbeck infirmary is now ready for dressing

Important notice -

In line with local restrictions in Nottinghamshire, the Workhouse will be closed from 30 October. If you had booked to visit, we will be in touch soon.

Atmospheric Victorian workhouse

Overview
How to get here
Facilities and access
Contact us

A family enjoying the outdoors in autumn or winter

Visiting information for this winter

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

The Workhouse, Southwell

What's on

Please book a ticket before your visit

The Workhouse will reopen from 19 August and you’ll need to book tickets before you visit. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. We'll be releasing tickets every Friday. Please note we’ll be turning people away who arrive and haven't booked. We're looking forward to welcoming you back.

Book now

Florence Nightingale — Florence in 1855 (Smallhythe Place, Kent)

The Workhouse, Southwell Nottinghamshire

Florence Nightingale Comes Home

Explore new exhibition boards that are displayed in the Firbeck Infirmary about Florence Nightingale. They outline Nightingale's life and the major events that lead her into becoming a pioneer of many aspects of public health, nurses training and much more. The project is a joint venture of the University of Nottingham and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Discover more about 'The Lady with the Lamp'

The Workhouse, Southwell

History

Exterior side angle of the central section of The Workhouse building

The Workhouse concept

Learn about The Workhouse's role and how it evolved through time, with the site providing shelter for those in need until the 1980s.

Costumed volunteer dressed as a female pauper making The Workhouse beds

A snapshot of inmate life

Get an idea of what living inside the workhouse would have been like for its pauper residents.

The history of Firbeck Infirmary

Discover the history of Firbeck – why was it built within The Workhouse compound? What role did it have in the wider community? Have you got a workhouse story to share?

The Workhouse, Southwell

Our work

The 1970s bedsit recreated from oral history testimonies

Recording the past in our memory archive

How the oral history from people who once lived and worked here has helped us to accurately recreate this special place.

Wallpaper depicting pink and white painted roses

Conserving history at The Workhouse - If Walls Could Talk

The ‘Hands On or Hands Off?’ project at The Workhouse involved the collaboration with local community groups as we carry out vital conservation work.

Close-up of conservation dusting with a brush

Keeping The Workhouse clean

In times gone by there were plenty of pauper workers to make sure The Workhouse was clean and tidy, but now we have a small team working to preserve the building. Take a look at what they get up to.

The Workhouse, Southwell

Learning

School children dressed as paupers receiving a Victorian school lesson

The Workhouse for schools

Our regular school visits are currently paused, but we're providing some digital resources for you...

Three volunteer storytellers dressed as female paupers preparing food at a kitchen table

Meet The Workhouse Storytellers

Our storytelling service is currently paused.

The Workhouse, Southwell

Art and collections

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at The Workhouse, Southwell on the National Trust Collections website

Search the collections

General

Please go to What’s on to book your visit.

Places open are the gardens, toilets and the Workhouse and Firbeck buildings.

In line with government guidance, you're required to wear a face covering in most enclosed spaces. Please bring one with you.

A socially distant, one way route applies in The Workhouse building and Firbeck

We're sorry but the cafe, visitor shop and secondhand book shop remain closed.

Free parking, 200 yards from Workhouse in visitor car park.

Food and drink is not permitted in the house

Picnics are allowed anywhere in the gardens and grounds

Dogs are allowed in the car park and front field but are not permitted in the house or garden. Assistance dogs only in the house and garden

Smoking is only permitted on the graveled area of the main visitor car park - we ask that you don't smoke or vape in the house, garden or grounds

Shoes with a heel with a surface area smaller than a postage stamp are not permitted in the house as they cause damage to the historic floors

Access

Full access statement is below, but please note that some parts of this property may be closed on your visit.

Due to the historic nature of the house and grounds, some areas might not be fully accessible to all visitors

Separate mobility parking spaces in car park

Adapted toilet in car park facilities building and at The Workhouse

Subtitles on introductory video

Braille and large print guide available

Virtual tour available for cellars and upper floors

Building - ramped entrance

Grounds - partly accessible, loose gravel paths. Accessible route

There are steps and stairs in the house, modern chairs are available in most rooms as a rest point

Ground floor accessible via ramps. Stairs to other floors. Manual wheelchairs available on other floors

	Gift Aid	Standard
Amount paid by visitor	£11.00	£10.00
Tax refund from Government*	£2.75	£0.00
Total received by the National Trust	£13.75	£10.00

The Workhouse, Southwell

Important notice -

More about this place

Visiting information for this winter

What's on

Please book a ticket before your visit

Upcoming events

Florence Nightingale Comes Home

History

The Workhouse concept

A snapshot of inmate life

The history of Firbeck Infirmary

Our work

Recording the past in our memory archive

Conserving history at The Workhouse - If Walls Could Talk

Keeping The Workhouse clean

Learning

The Workhouse for schools

Meet The Workhouse Storytellers

Art and collections

Our collections

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The Workhouse, Southwell

Important notice -

Upcoming events

Florence Nightingale Comes Home

History

Our work

Learning

Art and collections

Our collections

Facilities and access

General

Family

Access

Overview

Atmospheric Victorian workhouse

How to get here

Prices

Admission free

What is Gift Aid?

Opening times

Important notice -

Contact us

Sign in / register