What is a workhouse?

A workhouse was a large building  where some poor people  went. Though they would only go there if they were desperate. Conditions were so bad some of them died . Some thought prison was better than the workhouse.

  

Punishments

Workhouses had lots of harsh rules ; no talking at lunch , refusing to work and using bad language. The worst   punishment was given for trying  to escape the workhouse. You could be would be sent to a special cage at a far corner of the workhouse yard or they would fine you or even send you to prison.

Food.

The diet  was poor. Bread and  gruel  for breakfast   suet pudding with vegetables or bread, cheese and  butter or meat pudding with vegetables  and broth for lunch. Also for supper bread and cheese.

Where to go to find out more?

In some museams you can see some objects form a victorian workhouse or  go on the web

http://www.michellehiggs.co.uk/victorianworkhouse.html

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/victorians/workhouses.html

www.workhouses.org.uk