Wymondham Bridewell

Wymondham Bridewell stands in the centre of Wymondham, Norfolk, as a former prison built in the 1780s. It replaced an earlier prison used since 1619 and closed in 1878. After prison service it became a police station and courthouse before finding its present role as the Wymondham Heritage Museum. The building is a square plan with grade II listed status. Its Governor’s house once faced the street, cells lined the sides, and a treadmill stood at the rear. The prison held up to twenty-two inmates in cells measuring twelve by seven feet. In 1824 staff included a Governor, two turnkeys and a miller. The site contained two classes, two wards, three day-rooms, two airing yards and a mill yard. From 1832 it mainly held women, averaging nineteen prisoners by 1842. Even dangerous men were sometimes kept there while awaiting transfer. Visitors now enter a building where prisoners once washed, ironed, made mats and knitted. The Matron taught reading and writing, and the Chaplain led services. Inmates prepared linen for Norwich Castle Prison, a task valued at £69 9s 9d in one year. The Quaker meeting still uses part of the building for worship.