Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Peter Higginbotham

A history of the workhouse - in pictures

The Poland Street workhouse of the parish of St James, Westminster, opened in around 1727. This 1809 view of a women’s day-room by Thomas Rowlandson shows the inmates engaged in sewing and spinning.
The Poland Street workhouse of the parish of St James, Westminster, opened circa 1727. This 1809 view of a women’s day-room by Thomas Rowlandson shows the inmates engaged in sewing and spinning.
Image: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
The women’s dining hall at St Pancras workhouse in 1897. On the serving table at the rear stand some scales – inmates could request that their portion be weighed out in front of witnesses if they suspected it was a short measure.
The women’s dining hall at St Pancras workhouse in 1897. On the serving table at the rear stand some scales – inmates could request that their portion be weighed out in front of witnesses if they suspected it was a short measure.
Image: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
Female inmates at work in the laundry at the Mitcham workhouse in 1896.
Female inmates at work in the laundry at the Mitcham workhouse in 1896.
Photograph: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
Not all workhouses buildings fitted the popular grim image - the Bedminster establishment, now converted to offices, was one of more than 40 elegant designs by George Gilbert Scott and his partner William Bonython Moffatt.
Not all workhouse buildings fitted the popular grim image – the Bedminster establishment, now converted to offices, was one of more than 40 elegant designs by George Gilbert Scott and his partner William Bonython Moffatt.
Photograph: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
Christmas Day in the workhouse was a day of good eating for the inmates, but the famous ode by George R Sims reflected what some saw as patronising air of the well-to-do who had funded the feast.
Christmas Day in the workhouse meant good food for the inmates, but the famous ode by George R Sims reflected what some saw as the patronising air of the well-to-do who had funded the feast.
Photograph: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
Ireland was part of the workhouse system and conditions there were often dire. At Bailieborough in the 1890s, inmates ate porridge from a communal 'trough' whilst standing.
Ireland was part of the workhouse system, and conditions there were often dire. At Bailieborough in the 1890s, inmates stood to eat porridge from a communal 'trough'.
Photograph: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
Workhouse food improved much of the years. A major overhaul in 1901 was accompanied by the publication of an official workhouse cookbook containing such treats as Irish Stew and roly-poly pudding.
Workhouse food improved greatly over the years. A major overhaul in 1901 was accompanied by the publication of an official workhouse cookbook containing such treats as Irish stew and roly-poly pudding.
Photograph: Peter Higginbotham / workhouses.org.uk
Criticism of the workhouse system grew in the early 1900s. In 1909, a Royal Commission on the institution was split in its conclusions, with members such as George Lansbury subsequently launching a campaign to 'Smash the Workhouse'.
Criticism of the workhouse system grew in the early 1900s. In 1909, a Royal Commission was split in its conclusions, with members such as George Lansbury subsequently launching a campaign to 'Smash the Workhouse'.
Photograph: Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.