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The first Bridewell dates from 1619 when the basement of the current building was used as a dungeon.
The current Wymondham Bridewell building was designed and built as a 'model' prison based on the ideas of the great prison reformer John Howard in 1779.
Using interactive displays, information panels and exhibits from the museum's collection, our display tells the story of the building from its beginning as an area for plays or other entertainment in the 16th century, its use as a prison from the 17th century onwards and its final use as a police station and courthouse.
Below ground, there is a recreated dungeon where you can imagine the conditions of the original prison when it was visited by John Howard who declared it to be 'one of the vilest prisons in England'. You can also try on a pair of ankle chains from the original dungeon.
Among the exhibits on display are a set of playing cards made by a prisoner using pages of the Bible and a child's shoe which were both discovered when the building was refurbished.
