What were conditions like in the workhouse?
The harsh system of the workhouse became synonymous with the Victorian era, an institution which became known for its terrible conditions, forced child labour, long hours, malnutrition, beatings and neglect.
What are Victorian workhouses like?
The workhouse was home to 158 inhabitants – men, women and children – who were split up and forbidden from meeting. Those judged too infirm to work were called the “blameless” and received better treatment but the rest were forced into tedious, repetitive work such as rock breaking or rope picking.
Who worked in workhouses?
Workhouses were where poor people who had no job or home lived. They earned their keep by doing jobs in the workhouse. Also in the workhouses were orphaned (children without parents) and abandoned children, the physically and mentally sick, the disabled, the elderly and unmarried mothers.
Where can I see the inside of a workhouse?
For more detail on the different styles and layouts of workhouse buildings, see the architecture section. The workhouse tour section of the web-site will also show you what many of the buildings actually looked like. Once inside the workhouse, an inmate’s only possessions were effectively their uniform and their dormitory bed.
Why did people have to work in workhouses?
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, ensured that no able-bodied person could get poor relief unless they went to live in special workhouses. The idea was that the poor were helped to support themselves. They had to work for their food and accommodation. What were workhouses?
What was the food like in a Victorian workhouse?
One the whole workhouse food would be largely tasteless and a key part of the diet for those inside a Victorian Workhouse was bread. For larger workhouses inmates were forced to sit in rows, all facing the same way, in some cases with separate dining halls for men and women.
What are the names of the workhouses in London?
London Workhouses in 1776-7 1 Allhallows – Barking (70) 2 St Andrew Undershaft (50) 3 St Anne and St Agnes Within – Aldersgate (28) 4 Christ Church (80) 5 St Dunstan’s in the East (70) 6 St Ethelburga (48) 7 St Katherine Coleman (30) 8 St Katherine Creechurch (45) 9 St Olave in Hart Street (56).