Ripon Workhouse & Garden Museum

Follow the story of poverty, crime and punishment through our three museums.  Desperation often led the poor to a life of petty crime, and the punishments were cruel and severe. Discover what life was like in the workhouse, prison and courthouse.  Find out why people ended up here and what happened to them.

Experience the Victorian Workhouse starting at the original gatehouse building, with the Guardians' Room, inmates' bathing area, Vagrants' Cells and the Receiving Ward.  See the contrast between the Master & Matron's quarters and the Victorian kitchen, scullery, dining room and school room.  Wander round the restored kitchen garden, cultivating heritage crops using methods the inmates once used.

UPDATE:  The Workhouse Museum is closed until further notice.  We look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen.

In order to provide our visitors with a safe and enjoyable experience, we are limiting the numbers admitted and all tickets must be purchased in advance.

Please do not visit it you are displaying symptoms of Coronavirus.

We have taken additional measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our staff, volunteers and visitors.  These measures have been taken following Government guidance and following Public Health England recommendations. We have received our accreditation from VisitEngland which recognizes that we are following government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social/physical distancing  :

Social distancing measures ​​​​​Intensive cleaning regime Protective screens and signage Picnic area Toilet facilities 

You can enjoy a cup of Rijo coffee in the Workhouse Museum and can bring along a picnic to enjoy in our grounds. Gift shops are available in the museums and we ask that visitors use contactless payments wherever possible.

Please visit riponmuseums.co.uk for visitor guidance and to book timeslot appointments to visit.

Workhouse Museum & Garden

Experience the Victorian workhouse, starting at the original gatehouse building, walk into the workhouse as a vagrant – the indignity and horror of the baths and the fumigation process can be followed to the Vagrant’s Cells.  Discover the contrast between the Master & Matron’s quarters and the sparse inmates’ accommodation.

Visit the kitchen garden where workhouse inmates worked – now restored and growing fruit and vegetables available in 1890.