Bridewell Museum
Bridewell Alley
Norwich
Norfolk
NR2 1AQ
England
Website
Telephone
Shop & Tickets
01603 629127
Museum Curator
01603 614018
Museum Admin
01603 493625
Fax
01603 498662
The Bridewell started life as a rich merchant's house in 1325. It became a prison for women and beggars (a ‘Bridewell’) in 1585 and in the mid 18th century became a conventional prison. From 1828 it earned its keep as a factory and warehouse for tobacco, leather, boots and shoes. It became a museum in 1925 and now houses a wonderful collection of historic objects and machinery revealing how Norwich people earned their living.
Venue Type:
Museum
Additional info
The Bridewell is a Grade I listed building with a large shop, lifts and accessible toilets.
Assistance dogs are welcome and there are many handling collections available for all.
There is an induction loop at the entrance and portable loops for other areas.
Those with concerns should call our shop on 01603 629127 for friendly advice.
The Undercroft is currently inacessible - a photopack is available to view.
Our library is open by appointment only.
The Bridewell is packed full of collections, telling the story of Norwich's rich history and it's people. Highlights include an original Jacquard loom, Norwich shawls, shoes, the first wire netting machine, Shand Mason fire engine, printing presses, chemist shop, recreated pawnbrokers shop and Norwich City Football Club display. The collection is housed in a fascinating building, with the finest flint wall in Britain and largest medieval undercroft in Norwich.
Collection details
Architecture, Archives, Aviation, Costume and Textiles, Design, Fine Art, Industry, Land Transport, Law and Order, Medicine, Photography, Science and Technology, Social History, Sport, Toys and Hobbies, Trade and Commerce, Weapons and War
Key artists and exhibits
- Norwich, textile industry, Norwich shawls, shoes, Norwich industries, shoe industry, brewing, printing,iron founding, flint wall, medieval undercroft,clocks,
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