Former Workhouse, Belper, Derbyshire

This building opened in 1838 as the main accommodation block of Belper Union workhouse . The 2 walled areas still visible were exercise yards for different types of inmate. Boy inmates were taught shoemaking and tailoring. Vagrants were accommodated in tramp cells and had to pay for their night's accommodation by breaking stone into pieces small enough to pass through a metal grille. The tramp cells were demolished in 1954 and the stone-breaking grilles donated to Derby Museum. After 1930 it became Babington House Public Assistance Institution. In 1948 it became Babington Hospital providing care for 155 geriatric and 16 maternity patients.

Location

Derbyshire Belper

Period

Victorian (1837 - 1901)

Tags

workhouse poor welfare health Victorian (1837 - 1901)