The rise and fall of the workhouse

BBC History Magazine has an online history of Britain's workhouse system.


Despite the grim reputation, and often reality, "Britain’s system of poor relief arguably saved thousands of people from starvation over the course of its 300-year history."

Included are snapshot histories of ten workhouses: Newbury workhouse, Berkshire; Southwell workhouse, Nottinghamshire; 48 Doughty Street, London; Andover union workhouse, Hampshire; Rhayader union workhouse, Powys; Edinburgh’s charity poorhouse, Edinburgh;  Londonderry union workhouse, Londonderry/Derry; Strand union workhouse, London; The Spike, Guildford; Chorlton union workhouse, Lancashire
http://www.historyextra.com/feature/rise-and-fall-workhouse