National Trust - The Workhouse, Southwell

This is the second time I have visited here. The NT have done an awful lot of work since last time and should be commended. Its great value for money with lots to see and do. From the main house to garden, hospital, surgery and gift shop/cafe. The guided tours are very interesting and informative, with plenty of information and told with some humour. A fascinating immersive place that really tells a grim story of our history and early medical support. Well worth a visit.

A fascinating site, very different from the usual National Trust locations. The staff & volunteers are very friendly, full of interesting facts and stories that bring the history of the workhouse to life. Really well cared for garden too

Fantastic Place to visit. A lot more to see than I expected. Gives a great insight to life in the workhouse with individual peoples stories. The National Trust have done a great job of recreating the workhouse and infirmary.
When you arrive you get handed a handset that explains things and stories as you go from room to room and then tells stories of objects within the room. The national trust appear to have made a great effort in making the place accessible for all abilities.

I found this place really interesting and educational. To see how these people used to be treated and how they lived was fascinating. All the staff were really friendly and helpful and me and the children had a really good time.
My girls both got an activity sheet to find the items, could dress as characters and were able to touch many of the items.
The restaurant here is fantastic. I had the biggest, tastiest Jacket potato meal I have ever had at a National Trust site. It was amazing and extremely filling. I'd happily go back for the food alone although I do highly recommend a look around the workhouse.

One of the top 5 NT sites. Lost myself for 3 hours exploring the workhouse and learning about his history and more modern use.
The guides in the building are knowledgeable and friendly.
The digital guide was a nice bonus and more NT sites should incorporate this..

Well done to the National Trust for preserving this building and showing how bleak it was during Victorian era. Each of the rooms are set out as they would of beenn during the Victorian era with information boards, in each of the rooms is a point where you can place a small tablet which would then show you information about the rooms, they are especially aimed at children as they are swipeable. They have a beautiful kitchen garden and when we went they had children's games on. Se.of the rooms have been left innits last use which was as social housing for families in the 1970's. You actually get to see the evolution of the Workhouse from conception to closure. There are benchs for picnics a cafe, secondhand bookshop and small amount of gifts. Definitely worth a visit especially if you are interested in social history.

Well worth the nearly 3 hour journey. Lovely staff all helpful & knowledgeable. A very interesting place. Made you think just how hard life was back then. Tea room offered plenty of choice as regards drinks food & cake.....highly recommend the poppy seed cake delicious.

Great few hours at this well preserved workhouse. Shows different timelines of its history. The staff were all in character and dressed up. Some great stories and information around the workhouse and infirmary.