Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell Norwich Norfolk
The Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell is tucked in one of the oldest, most atmospheric parts of the building, this amazing gallery informs the story of the building, focusing primarily on its time as a house of correction and a prison. When you visit you can discover who was imprisoned here and what life in a Bridewell was like. The gallery tells the stories of a few individuals who spent time here.
There is the fascinating history of Peter the Wildman, a German boy brought to Britain by King George I, but who in 1751 was found, apparently homeless in Norwich. The then authorities put him into the Bridewell and he was there in that October when fire ripped through Bridewell Alley and Peter refused to leave the prison. Why was he there and what happened next is all for you to find out in the gallery.
In the 1700’s Norwich Norfolk was England’s second city and larger and more prosperous than Bristol, York and Newcastle. More…
Wonderful museum at the Bridewell Norwich
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A gallery packed full of artefacts proudly demonstrating Norwich’s industrious heritage. Highlights include a desk from the now demolished Corn Hall, a model of a FE2B plane made by Boulton and Paul and an iconic ironwork sunflower, designed by Thomas Jeckyll for Barnard, Bishop and Barnards.
Norwich has a rich industrial heritage. Find out more about some of the main industries of the city including heavy engineering, manufacturing aircraft, making mustard, chocolate and crackers and of course, the textile industry. Highlights include the world’s first ever wire netting machine, a chocolate enrobing machine and the restored Jacquard loom.
Shoemakers – Norwich has been home to some of the UK’s largest shoe manufacturers including Start-rite, Ballys, Edwards & Holmes, Florida Group, and Bowhill & Elliott. The museum’s vast collection of shoes and boots is creatively displayed relating the city’s history of manufacturing shoes and mapping the changes in footwear fashion. Collection highlights include machinery from local factories, a beautiful willow pattern exhibition shoe and an incredible snake proof boot made for nurses in Burma during WW2. Listen to local shoe workers’ memories and watch shoes being made. Children can try on some of our more funky shoes.
The Jacquard Loom at The Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Once there were thousands of looms in daily use in Norwich. This is the last survivor. The loom was one of the first exhibits of Museum of Trades and Industries in 1924. The city’s days of textile manufacture were passing when designer James Hardy donated what must have been one of the city’s last working hand-looms.
Originally a mid-nineteenth century hand-loom, it was later adapted to take a Jacquard mechanism to produce the more complicated all-silk fabrics of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Looms like this were in use in weavers’ garrets or small workshops.
Jacquard’s invention is said to be ‘the first computer’ as it is based on a binary system using holes punched in card sets which are ‘read’ as a message to ‘lift warp thread’. The punched cards rotate on the cylinder, controlling the needles and hooks that connect via the harness to the warp threads. These are to be raised or lowered row by row to allow the shuttle to pass through and produce a patterned cloth.
Gradually over the years the loom’s linen harness decayed beyond repair. Plans to restore the loom were mooted in the 1960s but it has taken 50 years to bring this dream to fruition. Starting in 2010, the museum worked with Richard Humphries, MBE, FRSA, the leading specialist silk and worsted weaver in the country, to restore the loom to be fully operational.
Without a doubt, it is one of the stars in the museum’s collections. You can learn more about the loom and its restoration in the Industrious City gallery. We have been fortunate to have received a grant from the Worshipful Company of Weavers, to enable us to train local weavers and provide demonstrations, study days and pilot schools sessions.
Norwich 20th Century
What’s On At Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Education and Learning at the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Admission Prices
The Museum of Norwich Admission prices – ticket prices: Adult: £6.20 – Concession*: £5.90 – Child (4-18): £5.30 – Family Ticket (2 adults and all children): £21.80 – Family Ticket (1 adult and all children): £16.35 – Twilight Ticket (1 hour before closing): £2. Museums Pass holders, Friends of Norwich Museums, under 4s free. Visitors with disabilities may bring one companion in free. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please note: your ticket is valid all day, so if you want to explore Norwich you can pop in and out as much as you want. Groups of 10 or more (if booked in advance) – There is a discount for pre-booked groups of 10 or more. Please contact us on [email protected] to find out more. You can also call 01603 493636 or 01603 629127.
Group Visits
Whether you are local or just visiting Norwich or Norfolk then there is something for everyone at the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell. We are a great family day out and one of Norwich and Norfolk’s finest visitor attractions. We hope to see you soon.