The Workhouse, Southwell

Important notice -

Important notice - We're working hard to reopen many of our places where it is safe to do so, however the Workhouse is currently closed.

Atmospheric Victorian workhouse

More about this place

Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Visiting this spring 

Our gardens, parks and countryside sites are open. Cafés are takeaway only and shops, houses and other indoor areas are currently closed. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority. We strongly advise booking your visits in advance, especially over Easter when places may be very busy. Please note that in line with Welsh Government legislation, places in Wales are only open for Welsh residents. Please check the property webpage before you visit and follow government guidance on travel.

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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

Upcoming events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place.

Florence Nightingale
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'
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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.

Firbeck in the early 20th century

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?

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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.

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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.

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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
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© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

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