The Workhouse Museum Ripon North Yorkshire

The Workhouse Museum is located in the centre of Ripon, in the former Ripon Union Workhouse. The current building was built in 1855 and has been carefully maintained to give visitors a sense of what life in a Victorian Workhouse would have been like. Experience an authentic Victorian Schoolroom, Kitchen, and Garden, as well as the Workhouse Inmates’ Quarters.

The attraction is managed by The Ripon Museum Trust, who also run the nearby Prison & Police Museum and Courthouse Museum. Together, the three museums tell the story of poverty, crime, and punishment in Yorkshire.

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Come to Ripon Museums for a high-quality learning experience that stimulates people to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, and develop judgement. We are lucky to have three museums in our group, all important Victorian institutions in their original buildings – a Workhouse, a Prison & Police Station, and a Courthouse. Our workshops make the most of this atmospheric environment, with dramatic role-play and hands-on activities.

Our learning programme can accommodate groups from Key Stage 1 through to University Level, exploring the themes of poverty, crime, and punishment, that are linked to a range of curriculum subjects, including History, English, and Citizenship.

We are an Arts Award Centre and a current recipient of the Sandford Award.

We offer Workshops and activities for groups from Key Stage 1 through to University level. These are particularly aimed at students of English, History, and Citizenship. Full details are available on our website, with a sample listed below. These include:

Victorian Workhouse Day/Dickens Workhouse Day:

• Stern Introduction from Matron.
• Guardians’ Role-Play.
• Hands-On Laundry/Chores Session.
• Lunch – Indoor Space Provided.
• Gender Segregated Victorian Schoolroom.
• Gender Appropriate Tasks – Girls Rag-Rugging and Boys Garden Chores.

Rich & Poor Day:

Visit three museums – The Workhouse, The Prison & Police, and The Courthouse.

• Students take part in a Trial at the Courthouse.
• Prison & Police Museum: Sinkler Brothers Role-Play.
• Early Policing, Poaching, and Transportation: Doing’ Time – Punishment Tour.
• Lunch at the Workhouse.
• Stern Introduction from Matron.
• Guardians’ Role-Play.
• Hands-On Laundry/Chores Session.

Poverty, Public Health, and the State – Workhouse and Courthouse Museum:

• Stern Introduction from Matron.
• Guardians’ Role-Play.
• Workhouse Tour.
• Lunch at the Workhouse – Indoor Space Provided.

Then Either:

• Enquiry-Led Study based on Charles Husband – Workhouse Medical Officer (Workhouse) OR
  • Students take part in a Historic Trial (Courthouse).

The Workhouse Museum can cater for up to 60 students, although groups can also attend the two other museums managed by Ripon Museum Trust (Prison & Police Museum & The Courthouse Museum). Across all three museums, we can accommodate a group of up to 90 students.

Our Learning Team can also offer digital resources, including downloadable worksheets, videos, and interactive online workshops.

Please enquire about this when booking.

Groups can take photographs or film during their visit, as long as they do not photograph other visitors in the museum.

We provide Risk Assessments and information for visiting teachers, including a COVID-19 Risk Assessment.

Learning and Outreach Manager: Katy O’Malley

E: learning@riponmuseums.co.uk

M: 01765 690799

Visits cost £10 per pupil.

Staff and helpers go free.

Space for lunch is provided at the Workhouse Museum.

There are no specific clothing requirements. However, the museum can provide costumes for certain activities.

The museum staff are First Aid trained and First Aid Kits are available on site.

Museum Shop.

Dining Area (Indoor and Outdoor).

Toilets.

Accessible Toilets.

The Workhouse Museum is wheelchair accessible.

There is an accessible lift on-site and accessible toilets.

The Workhouse Museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, between 11am and 4pm (10am to 4pm during school holidays).

The Prison and Police Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, between 1pm and 4pm.

School visits can also be arranged on Mondays.

“We had a brilliant time and the children loved it!”

– St Wilfrid’s Primary

“Super. It allowed the girls to understand what the Workhouse meant for Victorians and relate it to Scrooge’s views.”

– Queen Mary’s School

“We thought the whole experience was amazing.”

– Rossett Acre Primary

There is no coach parking on site. However, the St Marygate public car park is a five minute walk from the museum.

Address:

The Workhouse Museum

Sharow View

Allhallowgate

Ripon

HG4 1LE