Heritage Museum Information
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How to find us - From the Tourist Information centre in the market Cross in town centre, museum is two minutes down Bridewell Street. Museum is straight ahead. We are on a dangerous corner, please us the Pedestrian Crossing. Central Car Park is two minutes from Museum. Regular Train and Bus Service to Wymondham.
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the 'Bridewell
Trail' and discover the story of Britain's first
model prison, built in 1785 copied during the prison
reform movement, in England and America.
the
re-created underground dungeon of the
old Bridewell and compare it with the orginal cell in the
new prison. 
the
steps descened by John Howard the
prison reformer,who came to Wymondham in 1779 and saw
the prisoners chained together underground. He described
them as'dirty, sickly objects at work with paddlocks
on their legs.'
the
new Bridewell built on the recommendations
of John Howard. Prisoners had their own cells, rose early
and laboured hard. Men and women were kept apart day and
night. There was an infirmary, a chapel and religious books
for the inmates. Alcohol was not permitted. 
at
the display of finds from the 'dig' in the courtyard and
items from the Bridewell's later history when it was used
as a Police Station and Courthouse.
the
special prison display and turn the punishment
crank. 
through
the history of Wymondham from prehistoric times through
the Romans and Saxons to the founding of the Norman Abbey. 
from
medieval abbey to modern non-conformity. 
in
our DVD and other displays and learn about
the market cross and the great fire of 1615. then move
on to the Victorians and World War Two. 
