This is the second time I have visited here. The NT have done an awful lot of work since last time and should be commended. Its great value for money with lots to see and do. From the main house to garden, hospital, surgery and gift shop/cafe. The guided tours are very interesting and informative, with plenty of information and told with some humour. A fascinating immersive place that really tells a grim story of our history and early medical support. Well worth a visit.

Fantastic Place to visit. A lot more to see than I expected. Gives a great insight to life in the workhouse with individual peoples stories. The National Trust have done a great job of recreating the workhouse and infirmary. When you arrive you get handed a handset that explains things and stories as you go from room to room and then tells stories of objects within the room. The national trust appear to have made a great effort in making the place accessible for all abilities.

We have been to the Southwell Workhouse a number of times and always find it very interesting and there is always something new to see. This visit we went and listened to stories from the Workhouse. The 3 people who told the stories very professional. Life in the Workhouse was not pleasant but essential for the poor of the parish. It is an eye-opener for young people. There is always plenty to do and see.

A break from the NT stately homes, the Workhouse is a wonderful museum, bringing to life the conditions of an old Victorian Workshop. Incredibly stark inside, there is a lot of information as you wander around to set the scene. (There are quite a few steps) Parking on in site, a small (national trust scale) space outside. We visited in March.

Amazing place. Still very much in tact and offers an incredible insight into the story of the people who lived and worked there. The digital tour was very informative and the guides dotted around the site were enthusiastic and informative..Highly recommended.

I found this place really interesting and educational. To see how these people used to be treated and how they lived was fascinating. All the staff were really friendly and helpful and me and the children had a really good time. My girls both got an activity sheet to find the items, could dress as characters and were able to touch many of the items. The restaurant here is fantastic. I had the biggest, tastiest Jacket potato meal I have ever had at a National Trust site. It was amazing and extremely filling. I'd happily go back for the food alone although I do highly recommend a look around the workhouse.

We had a fantastic day out exploring the Workhouse and we went only expecting to spend an hour or so here, but stayed for nearly 3 and had a fantastic day out. Would recommend taking the guided tour, it lasts about an hour but it didn't feel like it and was really informative and we were glad we did this before looking around the workhouse and infirmary. We had a cake and coffee in the café too and both were very tasty and reasonably priced.

Lovely property and grounds, rich in local history. There is a bit of a walk from the entrance to the actual workhouse, and lots of stairs within the property, so be sure to wear comfortable and sensible shoes. Highly recommend taking one of the orange tablet things, as this gives you loads more information than what is on the boards. There weren't many guides on our visit, but this was a weekday so this could explain why. The cafe on site is small, but serves a lovely selection of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and snacks. There is plenty of indoor seating, or a few tables outside of preferred. Overall, a lovely day out

Great day out highly recommend the outdoor tour brings history to life. Great staff, nice cafe. Even the children liked to learn about the history and how privileged we are now.

An enjoyable history lesson/wander around this historic location. We've come to Lincoln on staycation and had to fit in at least one national trust, and this is one of the closest. We spent 3 hours walking each room, reading all the boards and learning the history from one of my favourite eras. The information was easy to read and digest. And we left with a sense of never judge the book by the cover moments, just because its called a workhouse, doesn't mean it was completely doom and gloom! Thanks for an enjoyable afternoon. Plus the scones are lush!

Really interesting National trust property. The history of the workhouse is interesting. I took the free guided tour which is a fantastic intro to the property. The cafe was very nice. The blueberry oat scone was delicious.

Well done to the National Trust for preserving this building and showing how bleak it was during Victorian era. Each of the rooms are set out as they would of beenn during the Victorian era with information boards, in each of the rooms is a point where you can place a small tablet which would then show you information about the rooms, they are especially aimed at children as they are swipeable. They have a beautiful kitchen garden and when we went they had children's games on. Se.of the rooms have been left innits last use which was as social housing for families in the 1970's. You actually get to see the evolution of the Workhouse from conception to closure. There are benchs for picnics a cafe, secondhand bookshop and small amount of gifts. Definitely worth a visit especially if you are interested in social history.

Loved our visit just after the floods very informative but as with all national trust sites no smoking areas so had to keep going out to the car. Some very interesting parts loved the projected rat's in the cellar could make more of the property by selling the rhubarb and planting a few apple trees to make more revenue but on the whole very informative

This place has a vibe about it. An informative and immersing experience where you walk the same corridors and rooms of those who lived in the workhouse. It was hard to see the child only nurseries due to children being taken from their mums at the age of four. The council used this building in the 70s to 90s housing homeless Mum's. It's hard to believe. No heating then, other than fires. I left feeling super grateful for all I have. These places were punishment for being poor, which in itself was punishment enough, I feel. Staff were fantastic and played their parts well. Story time really did take you back and into the lives of the paupers and the matron in Southwell workhouse.

Definitely one of the best national trust locations I have been to. Explains so much about the way of life in the Workhouse and there's actors doing all sorts of activities as well. The only thing that could make this better is if there were an easier way to get there without a car.

This is a great place to visit to learn about the history of the workhouse and those unfortunate souls who had no choice but to enter these places in years gone by. The National Trust has renovated the workhouse and infirmary very sympathetically, and in a way which shows what it would have been like for inmates back in the day. Interesting that it was still used to house families in the 1970s. The volunteers are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and I'd like to say a special thank you to Penny who helped bring the history of the place to life for us. The café serves delicious coffees, scones and cakes, plus a range of other produce. Overall, a very enjoyable few hours were spent in this fabulous place.

Such an amazing place to visit and experience!! Lots of rooms to explore and you really got the feeling of what it was like for people who had to go there. Very humbling experience and the National Trust have done an amazing job of renovating it but keeping it as it should be!! Really good how they kept some of the rooms as it would have been in 1970's as well . The infirmary was fascinating too and the knitted hospital was fantastic!! Very well worth a visit to experience everything. Now not open though till Feb 24.❤️❤️.

I believe this is the last example of a workhouse left for people to visit. Some wonderful work in restoring most of the building has been done. The gardens are lovely, and with the vegetable patches still growing to use in the Cafe and give visitors an idea of what work was done by those living there to keep those 'idle hands' busy, as what was said at the time. The volunteers are knowledgeable and you can get a pad to place on interactive spots for more information is a great touch. At times it's grim to think how children and adults lived, in cramped, separate conditions. Maybe only seeing their parents at weekends. Again how the infirm and those with learning disabilities or mental health issues were treated. I would highly recommend going if you want to see how these huge institutions were run and how the people lived. On a cheerful end though, it has an excellent cafe, lovely staff and you can even borrow a picnic blanket. Top marks!

Genuinely enjoyed this and the kids (8 and 6) took a real interest in everything. Give yourself a good amount of time, we were there 4 hours, including a picnic lunch (maybe 20 minutes). Each room had good information in it, telling the story of some of the real people who lived or worked there. The hand held devices for information were good and helped to keep the kids interested as they had to find the circles around the workhouse to place them on for the next bit of information. The only downside to these was that the information sometimes went a little too quickly to read, but we're short enough to watch a couple of times to get all of the information. Be prepared to read quickly though!! All of the staff were very friendly. Toilets were clean - I did struggle to find them but I think this was more my failing than the centre!!

Fantastic information of history and how the poor were encouraged to get work and provide for themselves and family's. Life was extremely hard but the purpose for the template in the shape of the first build at Southwell showed how much this place of refuge was needed . This place was home to appx 150-200 from 1826 until 1979 , yes 1979 still were looking after desperate folk of our time ! . Take your time walking around all the rooms , talk to the volunteer guides full of information , wonderful experience . Good parking and excellent cafe plus toilets , nice couple of hours

Interesting historical tour of the changes to the poor laws. Good guides in the form of small pads to view info on. Does not really get how grim the place must have been as the building is so well looked after. But interesting social history. Also have a go a the stick and hoop with your kids. It’s surprising how hard it is. Cafe is good.

Loved it. So much history, walking through you can imagine yourself there, see and feel the people you shared the place with, and learn much about what conditions were like for those down on their luck. Informational plaques were outstanding in the information they provided. Staff were great and provided a lot of great information.

A fantastic trip back in time to the workhorse. Tours are available to join or you can buy a guide book or use the free hand held devices that you can scan at certain points to learn more about the building. Some nice displays and an art exhibition on the top floor. The volunteers are knowledgeable and those playing people from the time are fantastic and happy to chat, even matron. Cafe and toilets and the second hand book shop. Lots of stairs inside and you can visit all levels. All sign posted so you don't get lost

Really enjoyed our visit here. Didn't do any prior research as to what to expect so was pleasantly surprised what what we seen. Large car park, normal national trust cafe and second hand bookshop shop. Not really got a shop but small items are available at the entrance. The surrounding town is also worth exploring

Very emotive experience. See a glimpse of life as as a workhouse tenant in the 19th Century as well as how the property was used up to the 1980s.

Great few hours at this well preserved workhouse. Shows different timelines of its history. The staff were all in character and dressed up. Some great stories and information around the workhouse and infirmary.

Well worth the nearly 3 hour journey. Lovely staff all helpful & knowledgeable. A very interesting place. Made you think just how hard life was back then. Tea room offered plenty of choice as regards drinks food & cake.....highly recommend the poppy seed cake delicious.

The National Trust has beautifully restored these buildings. The journey around leads you on a pathway, telling the story of workhouses well - with meticulous details. It moved me, but I'm glad that it did.

Go to understand the start of the Workhouse movement which could be relevant today. A brilliant period dressed story teller volunteer brought it to life. Really a cheerful story. As usual for the NT poorly signed.

A fascinating site, very different from the usual National Trust locations. The staff & volunteers are very friendly, full of interesting facts and stories that bring the history of the workhouse to life. Really well cared for garden too

One of the top 5 NT sites. Lost myself for 3 hours exploring the workhouse and learning about his history and more modern use. The guides in the building are knowledgeable and friendly. The digital guide was a nice bonus and more NT sites should incorporate this..

Another great place to visit . Lots to see. The house is amazing . The volunteers again are brilliant. Ground are kept immaculate.

Such an interesting place. Our tour guide really helped us appreciate the history of the Workhouse. Made the day for us. Thought we'd be in and out in a couple of hours but ended up being there for 5 hours(including a picnic in the lovely grounds)

Very atmospheric place. Very pleasant and knowledgeable staff.

Remarkable place. Essential to go and visit, an education in what our ancestors had to go through, before the NHS. Victorian Attitudes about the undeserving poor, the role of the church in oppressing poor people, separation of children from parents, and what happened to women, all who were all but imprisoned for being poor. Excellent guided tour, and remarkable restoration of this building.

A wonderful place to learn about social history and our treatment of those suffering hard times and hardship. Totally different to most of the Trust's properties and some really unique stories to learn about.