Heritage Museum

The Wymondham Heritage Museum, Registered Charity No. 299548, is located within the Bridewell, with its imposing Georgian facade, and the main gallery occupies what was the courtroom from 1878 to 1991. Displays tell the story of the Bridewell which has served as a prison, police station and courthouse.

 

There is a special exhibition of artefacts and photographs devoted to the brushmaking industry, formerly one of the most important industries in the town. In addition there is a wide range of displays which chart the history of Wymondham and its people from prehistoric to modern times. There is also a gift shop. The Bridewell building also contains flats, the local Red Cross, Citizen's Advice Bureau and the Museum Tea Room.  

Standing on the site of an earlier prison condemned by John Howard, the penal reformer, as "the vilest prison in England", the two prison wings were built in 1785. Here prisoners were housed in the first English prison to have one prisoner to each cell, an idea that later spread to American prisons. In spite of being well used, housing at one time 71 prisoners, by 1825 the prison was empty and up for sale. However the building did not sell and from 1831 to 1878 it was used as a Norfolk County women's prison. Later the cells in the laundry block were converted for police use and the town's police station occupied the rest of the building from 1878, when the south block was converted to the Court Room for Petty Sessions. The Police Station moved to the new building nearby in 1963. In 1991 the Magistrates' Court closed at the Bridewell and the County Council put the complex on the market. The Wymondham Heritage Society looked at the possibility of purchasing the site for community use. The building was bought in 1994 and the Wymondham Bridewell Preservation Trust was set up to manage the project. The purchase price was £80,000 and conversion costs £300,000.  

The Wymondham Heritage Museum is open from 1st March to 30th November from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 2pm to 4pm on Sunday. Telephone : 01953 600205. The Bridewell Tea Room is open at the same times for morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas.  

 

Latest News

Brush making  

The museum’s unique collection is being given a completely new look this season. The new exhibition tells the story of brush making in Wymondham from 1890 to 1980 and includes a ‘working’ 1890s brush filling machine used in the Briton Brush factory, other processes in the manufacture of brushes, examples of finished products, an audio guide and memories of factory workers.  

Wymondham schools  

This display tells the story of Wymondham’s schools from its Tudor grammar school to Victorian and 20th century schools. The display includes photos, memorabilia and memories of the classroom before computers.  

Victorian Wymondham  

more photos from the museum’s unique collection will give further insights into the town and its people in Victorian times.  

Children’s Discovery Chest  

This will provide young visitors with ‘hands on’ experience in looking for and handling interesting objects, which they can try to understand. Brief explanations of each object are provided.  

Opening times:  

Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm  

Sundays: 1st Sunday in the month only and Bank Holiday Sundays  

 

Museum admission charges: Adults £3.00, Concessions £2.00 and Children 50p. Special terms for school/educational visits. Parties by prior arrangement, please contact 01362 850154.  

The Wymondham Heritage Museum is open from 1st March to 30th November  

from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 2pm to 4pm on first Sunday of the month  

and Bank Holiday Sundays.  

For further information please contact  

Mr A D Hoare, Tel 01953 607494 or visit www.wymondhamheritagemuseum.co.uk  

Registered Charity No. 299548

 

Contact Details

Contact: Adrian Hoare

Telephone: 01953 607494