The Workhouse evokes the grim Victorian world of Oliver Twist, but its story is a fascinating mix of social history, politics, economics and architecture. This site is dedicated to the workhouse — its buildings, inmates, staff and administrators, even its poets. Use the sidebar or Search box to find information.
In BBC TV's Who Do You Think You Are? I reveal the St Ives workhouse connections of para-Olympic athlete and Strictly star Jonnie Peacock. To watch the episode again (UK only) visit the WDYTYA programme page.
NEW! 'On the Road': First-hand accounts of Visits to Workhouse Casual Wards from Somerset to Yorkshire (1928-35) — This fascinating book describes the often appalling conditions and treatment in the vagrants' quarters at fifty different workhouses, written by those who actually stayed there. The three diaries, originally written in 1928-35, provide a vivid picture of life on the road at that period. The book also includes an illustrated history of the casual ward by Peter Higginbotham. More details...
'Magnificent' (Church Times) — the Children's Homes book surveys the wide range of institutions that, over the centuries, were used as a substitute for children's 'natural' homes. As well as charitably funded orphanages, these included homes run by religious or occupational groups, institutions for those who had broken the law or otherwise gone astray, establishments for children with special needs, homes run by the poor law authorities, and by local councils. This fascinating and copiously illustrated volume answers questions such as: Who founded and ran all these institutions? Who paid for them? Where have they all gone? What was life like for their inmates? And where can their records be found? Illustrated throughout, Children's Homes provides an essential account of the previously neglected history of these British institutions. More details...
Find out about the workhouse connections of Fearne Cotton's ancestor, William Gilmour.
New! Some of my introductory presentations are now available online on my YouTube Channel
Voices From The Workhouse is a wide-ranging collection of first-hand accounts of the workhouse by those who knew it. Includes autobiography, letters, poetry, graffiti, inspection reports etc. — by inmates, staff, officials,and under-cover explorers. More....
For information on 1000s of children's homes, orphanages, reformatories, industrial schools, training ships etc. visit www.childrenshomes.org.uk
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The Workhouse Encyclopedia. A fully illustrated A to Z of workhouse information plus fact-filled appendices of workhouse locations, statistics, maps, records, museums etc.
The Victorian Slum: Common Lodging Houses and Model Dwellings
For the real workhouse experience, why not visit a workhouse museum?
Know about workhouses? — try the Workhouse Quiz.
Jeremy Corbyn's great-great-grandfather was the despotic master of the Farnham workhouse.
Unless otherwise indicated, this page () is copyright Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.