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Wymondham Bridewell

South Norfolk, Italy

Wymondham Bridewell

Wymondham Bridewell was the local prison or bridewell in Wymondham, Norfolk. The site was in use as a prison from as early as 1619. The present, grade II listed building dates from the 1780s. It closed as a prison in 1878. Since then it has had various uses including police station and courthouse. A

t present the main part of the building houses the Wymondham Heritage Museum. The building was constructed in the form of a square and, in the 1820s the Governor's house was at the front, cells were on either sides and the treadmill was at the back; There were 22 cells and most of them were 12×7 feet. They had brick floors and contained two iron beds, some three. In 1824, the Bridewell staff included the Governor, two turnkeys and a miller and it contained two classes, two wards, treadwheel (image), three day-rooms, two airing yards and the mill yard. After 1827 the Bridewell remained unoccupied until it was re-opened, chiefly for the incarceration of females in 1832. The average number of prisoners, in 1842, was 19. By 1853, although the Bridewell was a woman's prison, it was sometimes used to house men awaiting transfer, with even quite dangerous prisoners kept there. The conditions appear...

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