Wymondham Bridewell facts for kids
The Wymondham Bridewell was once a local prison in the town of Wymondham, Norfolk, England. A "bridewell" was a type of prison, often used for people who committed smaller crimes or were homeless. This site has been used as a prison since at least 1619. The building you see today, which is a special historic building (called a Grade II listed building), was built in the 1780s. It stopped being a prison in 1878. Since then, it has been used for different things, like a police station and a courthouse. Today, the main part of the building is home to the Wymondham Heritage Museum.
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What Was the Bridewell Like?
The prison building was shaped like a square. In the 1820s, the Governor's (the person in charge) house was at the front. The cells where prisoners stayed were on either side. At the back, there was a treadwheel, which was a large wheel prisoners had to walk on to grind corn or pump water as a form of hard labor.
Inside the Cells
There were 22 cells in total. Most of them were about 12 feet long and 7 feet wide. The floors were made of brick. Each cell usually had two iron beds, and some even had three.
Staff and Prisoners in the 1820s
In 1824, the Bridewell had a small team working there. This included the Governor, two turnkeys (who were like guards), and a miller (who operated the treadwheel). The prison was organized into different areas:
- Two main classes for prisoners
- Two wards (sections)
- A treadwheel area (see image)
- Three day-rooms where prisoners could spend time
- Two airing yards for outdoor exercise
- A mill yard where the treadwheel was located
After 1827, the Bridewell was empty for a few years. It reopened in 1832, mainly to hold female prisoners.
Life for Prisoners in the 1850s
By the 1850s, the conditions at Wymondham Bridewell seemed quite fair. A report from 1853 showed there were only 19 prisoners at that time.
- Five of the prisoners were under 16 years old.
- Five were married, and 14 were unmarried.
The women prisoners were taught to read and write by the Matron (a female officer). The Chaplain (a religious leader) held regular services and gave lessons. Many prisoners found jobs after they were released.
Work Done by Prisoners
The prisoners at Wymondham Bridewell had various jobs to do. These included:
- Washing clothes
- Ironing clothes
- Making mats
- Knitting
- Needlework
- Cleaning the prison
The women at Wymondham were also responsible for making, mending, and washing all the linen (like sheets and towels) for both their own prison and the larger Norwich Castle Prison. This work alone was valued at a significant amount of money that year.
From Prison to Museum
After closing as a prison in 1878, the Wymondham Bridewell building found new purposes. It served as a police station and a courthouse for many years. Today, this historic building has been transformed into the Wymondham Heritage Museum. It allows visitors to learn about the building's past as a prison and the history of the local area.
