Following on from our visit, here is a summary of the history of this historic building:
14th-Century Merchant Residence: Built around 1325 by Geoffrey de Salle and later enlarged by William Appleyard (the first Mayor of Norwich), the property is a rare architectural marvel. It features the largest brick-built undercroft in the city and one of the finest examples of exposed flintwork facades in England.
The House of Correction (1585–1828): In 1583, the City Corporation purchased the home and converted it into a Bridewell to punish vagrants, "troublesome" individuals, and local beggars. Inmates faced harsh, punishing conditions, and the mere presence of the prison was designed to strike fear into local citizens. Following a devastating fire in 1751, the building was extensively repaired.
Industrial Use (1828–1923): After the inmates were moved to a new city facility, the Bridewell was used as a leather warehouse and a boot and shoe factory before eventually closing as an industrial space.
Museum Era (1925–Present): In 1923, Sir Henry Holmes, a local shoe manufacturer, purchased the building and donated it to the City of Norwich. It opened as the Bridewell Museum in 1925. Following a massive £1.5m redevelopment, it was rebranded as the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, shifting its focus to showcase the city's broader social history, trades, and local communities.
Here is an article with more detail on it’s history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Norwich_at_the_Bridewell
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