Ripon Museums

There have been strange goings on at the Courthouse over the last few days. Very young judges, bearded lady witnesses and someone accused of the heinous crime of using too much toilet paper! Come and take part in our Poachers trial every weekday this week at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm, and then take part in our family court ..... accuse your sister of stealing the limelight, Dad of snoring.... so many crimes need to be brought to light #summerholidayfun #crime&punishment #yorkshirefamilyfun

Nice to see the Museum’s vegetable garden mentioned in Garden Organic’s review! Come and see our heritage vegetables growing!

The stage is set! We've just had a sneak preview of tonight's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Workhouse Museum and it's so much fun. You can buy tickets on the door (opens 5.30pm for a 6.30pm start). Www.riponmuseums.co.uk/events.

Don't forget to look out for the Red Queen on Ripon Museums' stall - she'll be giving away free tickets to the Workhouse Museum with each ticket bought to our fabulous Open Air Garden Theatre Alice's Adventures in Wonderland from Chapterhouse Theatre Company . The performance is on Tuesday 14th August - 6.30pm. http://riponmuseums.co.uk/…/outdoor_the atre_alices_adventur…

We won't be late for a very important date on Monday 13th August - Alice in Wonderland Family Day Ripon Races.
Come and find The Queen of Hearts at the Ripon Museums stall - where you can buy your tickets to the Workhouse Museum's Open Air Garden Theatre performance of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company.
We're giving away 1 free pass to the Workhouse Museum with every Alice ticket sold - and there might even be a photo opportunity with the White Rabbit!!

A barrow-full of fresh produce on it's way to Lockwoods Cafebar and Restaurant. Turnips, beans, peas, sweetcorn, blackberries... Good enough to eat! All grown in our Victorian kitchen garden which once fed the inmates of the workhouse. Do call and see the garden when you visit Ripon Museums and chuckle over the names of these heritage varieties.

A souvenir of Yorkshire Day in the Ripon Gazette & Boroughbridge Herald today - fabulous photos reflecting such a great day and an important one for #Ripon.

One of our volunteers spotted an old family photo in our current exhibition Ripon Re-Viewed! What will you discover in this treasure-trove of images of Ripon?

Please can we have some more fun, Sir!
The gruel was a hit- even the baby kept shouting for more!
Join us this week for more ‘Oliver Twist’ themed fun 11am – 3pm try your hand at decorating silk handkerchiefs, watch out for pickpockets (or have a chance to learn how to pick pocket, and suffer the consequences). And of course you can make some more gruel too.

Summer fun at the workhouse in Ripon! It's Oliver Twist week, and unlike poor Oliver, our children are having a great time!!
Bring the family weekdays 10am-3pm for a little bit of old fashioned fun.
Next week it's Police & Poachers!
... Find out more on www.riponmuseums.co.uk/events
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Don't be late - come on down to Ripon Workhouse to buy your tickets for our next Open Air Garden Theatre on Tuesday 14th August - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Read our blog on Alice's connection with Ripon http://riponmuseums.co.uk/blog/alice_in_r ipon
Presented by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company, join Alice as she stumbles into the magical world of Wonderland and meets a whole host of colourful characters. From the unforgettable White Rabbit and the madcap Mad Hatter to... the terrifying Queen of Hearts, Alice’s journey couldn’t be filled with more adventure. Presented in beautiful Victorian costume and alive with song, dance and original music.
Gates open at 5.30pm and the performance starts at 6.30pm. Bring a rug or a low backed chair.
Tickets Adult £16/child £10/family £46 for 2 adults and 2 children
Tickets can be purchased at The Workhouse Museum in Ripon or via this link http://riponmuseums.co.uk/…/outdoor_the atre_alices_adventur…
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It's Oliver Twist week at the Ripon Workhouse!
Family fun for all the family - what 'more' do you want?
We have 6 weeks of summer fun = here are all the details http://riponmuseums.co.uk/…/summer_holi day_fun_at_ripon_mus…

After our fab night with the Handlebards last night, with fun, laughter and a great atmosphere, we are looking forward to our next big outdoor theatre performance coming up on 14th. There are still some tickets left if you fancy it, and there will be a bar on the night serving refreshments

Thanks so much to the @HandleBards for their stellar performance of Twelfth Night. A wonderful show enjoyed by all. Definitely going to have to have you back again next year!

So excited to be welcoming the HandleBards tonight at the Workhouse. Weather is looking good for it and the bar is fully stocked. Bring chairs and blankets and picnics if you like. Doors open at 6pm and there are still some tickets available on the door

It wasn't all gruel in the workhouse; in Ripon August 1894, it was reported that 'for some years it had been the custom to augment the normal workhouse dinner on St Wilfrid's Sunday by the addition of broad beans and parsley sauce; this year the Master and Matron thought something should also be done at tea time and one and a half dozen large fruit tarts were served and greatly appreciated'.
It is not known if the fruit tarts were #WilfraTarts but it does seem likely.
Of course, Ripon Workhouse benefited from the produce from the kitchen garden - which you can visit today and see the fruit and vegetables grown during Victorian Times.

Each month, our curator will reveal fascinating facts about an interesting object which can be found in one of the Ripon Museums; The Workhouse; The Prison & Police Museum or The Courthouse.
This month the Curator's Object is: The Wakeman's House. http://riponmuseums.co.uk/…/object_of_t he_month_model_of_th…

At the end of the day, what else to do but put the Director in the pillory and throw wet sponges?

Rounding up the 'poor children' today in Market Place Ripon Hosts Yorkshire Day 2018. A bit of Victorian fun from Ripon Museums. We do hope the children enjoyed it (Matron very strict).

We had a brilliant visit to all 3 museums yesterday. Staff were very helpful and each museum was very interesting.

Visiting Ripon? Recommend the 3 museums...great way to spend time. Informative, interactive and staff excellent. Cafe facilities needed at Workhouse Museum.

Very haunted !

Myself and a friend had so many strange!!experiences yestetday .

If you are interested in the paranormal the work house is a must.

All 3 museumd are great xc

Touching insight into how life for the poor and downtrodden was from the 19th century till as recent as the 1970s. Good to know that there were some kind wealthy folks looking after the

basic needs of those that had fallen on hard times.

Also interesting to see how the Poor Laws evolved into the welfare state that we know today although it's a great pity that there so many homeless people in the cities today

Ripon Museums provide a thoughtful and interesting day out for thoughtful people of all ages and lots of fun and activities for children (of all ages). The Workhouse Museum is, I believe, the only museum of the Poor Law in the United Kingdom and one of the few Workhouse Museums in the UK. Within easy walking distance are the Police and Prisons Museum and the old Courthouse, in which people were sentenced to be transported to Australia. With the emphasis on law and order, right and wrong and social justice, these three museums provide an easy introduction to social history... and history in general. And theye are the real thing, noy mock-ups.

Quite an experience. The museum really brings to life the plight of the poor in the 19th century. The workhouses must have been quite revolutionary at the time and while still harsh the alternative to the workhouse must have been far worse.



We were greeted yesterday (Mon) afternoon by an extremely pleasant and helpful volunteer.

Interesting Museum much extended since our last visit. The history of the poor, deserving or undeserving, still resonants with the modern world. Loved the pop up cafe for the day.

Had the most amazing day at the museum loved all the activity’s highly recommend. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Had a great visit today - we're regulars at the workhouse museum - the magic lantern show, dressing up and the pumpkin trail were the favourite activities today -but spent ages at the prison and police museum for the children's first visit - and there's so much to see - kept my 4,6 and 8 yr olds happy for ages. The police bike and being 'locked in' a cell got the best responses - watch out for the old police man near the loos it made my 4 yr old jump with shock the fist time he saw it!!!!

Great places to visit especially with Y8 doing research for his history projects. Look forward to coming back to visit courthouse as didn’t make it today.

Great experience we did a ghost hunt there on the 23/06/2017 lots of history and things to see and do very sad place for people to be in the old days

Great day out for all they family , workhouse great for the kids as lots of hand on activities

Fab experience and also good value for money as bought annual tickets for 2 adults £24 and can visit any time in next year. Learned a lot and looking forward to changes happening in Workhouse.

Came with my 2 sons back last summer and had a great time

Been to the workhouse and police museums which were fascinating. Top marks to the volunteers!

An excellent set of museums. We were camping and had some very wet weather so decided to visit the museums over 2 days. Our kids absolutely loved them all. (Age 5, 8 amd 10). Excellent worksheets for kids to complete. We were lucky enough to attend when they were making bread and decorating biscuits. Staff were exceptionally friendly too. £22 very well spent. Would definitely recommend.

A great day at all three museums! And some fabulous volunteers who very kind, helpful, knowledgable and some very in character!

With the kids we visited the Police, Court and Workhouse museums over a few days and really enjoyed them but especially the Workhouse. It was really interesting for the adults but the kids really enjoyed the hands on activities and challenge. All very simple and traditional but very effective. Staffed (and run, restored, furnished and maintained) by very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic volunteers - very well done and thanks.

We did the Police and Prison Museum, we all thought it was very interesting and a great reflection on the social history of the local area. It got a big thumbs up from my 13 year old son. We will be back to do the the Workhouse and Court House.

We had a brilliant visit to all 3 museums yesterday. Staff were very helpful and each museum was very interesting.

Visiting Ripon? Recommend the 3 museums...great way to spend time. Informative, interactive and staff excellent. Cafe facilities needed at Workhouse Museum.

Very haunted !

Myself and a friend had so many strange!!experiences yestetday .

If you are interested in the paranormal the work house is a must.

All 3 museumd are great xc

Touching insight into how life for the poor and downtrodden was from the 19th century till as recent as the 1970s. Good to know that there were some kind wealthy folks looking after the

basic needs of those that had fallen on hard times.

Also interesting to see how the Poor Laws evolved into the welfare state that we know today although it's a great pity that there so many homeless people in the cities today

Ripon Museums provide a thoughtful and interesting day out for thoughtful people of all ages and lots of fun and activities for children (of all ages). The Workhouse Museum is, I believe, the only museum of the Poor Law in the United Kingdom and one of the few Workhouse Museums in the UK. Within easy walking distance are the Police and Prisons Museum and the old Courthouse, in which people were sentenced to be transported to Australia. With the emphasis on law and order, right and wrong and social justice, these three museums provide an easy introduction to social history... and history in general. And theye are the real thing, noy mock-ups.

Quite an experience. The museum really brings to life the plight of the poor in the 19th century. The workhouses must have been quite revolutionary at the time and while still harsh the alternative to the workhouse must have been far worse.



We were greeted yesterday (Mon) afternoon by an extremely pleasant and helpful volunteer.

Interesting Museum much extended since our last visit. The history of the poor, deserving or undeserving, still resonants with the modern world. Loved the pop up cafe for the day.

Had the most amazing day at the museum loved all the activity’s highly recommend. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Had a great visit today - we're regulars at the workhouse museum - the magic lantern show, dressing up and the pumpkin trail were the favourite activities today -but spent ages at the prison and police museum for the children's first visit - and there's so much to see - kept my 4,6 and 8 yr olds happy for ages. The police bike and being 'locked in' a cell got the best responses - watch out for the old police man near the loos it made my 4 yr old jump with shock the fist time he saw it!!!!

Great places to visit especially with Y8 doing research for his history projects. Look forward to coming back to visit courthouse as didn’t make it today.

Great experience we did a ghost hunt there on the 23/06/2017 lots of history and things to see and do very sad place for people to be in the old days

Great day out for all they family , workhouse great for the kids as lots of hand on activities

Fab experience and also good value for money as bought annual tickets for 2 adults £24 and can visit any time in next year. Learned a lot and looking forward to changes happening in Workhouse.

Came with my 2 sons back last summer and had a great time

Been to the workhouse and police museums which were fascinating. Top marks to the volunteers!

An excellent set of museums. We were camping and had some very wet weather so decided to visit the museums over 2 days. Our kids absolutely loved them all. (Age 5, 8 amd 10). Excellent worksheets for kids to complete. We were lucky enough to attend when they were making bread and decorating biscuits. Staff were exceptionally friendly too. £22 very well spent. Would definitely recommend.

A great day at all three museums! And some fabulous volunteers who very kind, helpful, knowledgable and some very in character!

With the kids we visited the Police, Court and Workhouse museums over a few days and really enjoyed them but especially the Workhouse. It was really interesting for the adults but the kids really enjoyed the hands on activities and challenge. All very simple and traditional but very effective. Staffed (and run, restored, furnished and maintained) by very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic volunteers - very well done and thanks.

We did the Police and Prison Museum, we all thought it was very interesting and a great reflection on the social history of the local area. It got a big thumbs up from my 13 year old son. We will be back to do the the Workhouse and Court House.

We had a brilliant visit to all 3 museums yesterday. Staff were very helpful and each museum was very interesting.

Visiting Ripon? Recommend the 3 museums...great way to spend time. Informative, interactive and staff excellent. Cafe facilities needed at Workhouse Museum.

Very haunted !

Myself and a friend had so many strange!!experiences yestetday .

If you are interested in the paranormal the work house is a must.

All 3 museumd are great xc

Touching insight into how life for the poor and downtrodden was from the 19th century till as recent as the 1970s. Good to know that there were some kind wealthy folks looking after the

basic needs of those that had fallen on hard times.

Also interesting to see how the Poor Laws evolved into the welfare state that we know today although it's a great pity that there so many homeless people in the cities today

Ripon Museums provide a thoughtful and interesting day out for thoughtful people of all ages and lots of fun and activities for children (of all ages). The Workhouse Museum is, I believe, the only museum of the Poor Law in the United Kingdom and one of the few Workhouse Museums in the UK. Within easy walking distance are the Police and Prisons Museum and the old Courthouse, in which people were sentenced to be transported to Australia. With the emphasis on law and order, right and wrong and social justice, these three museums provide an easy introduction to social history... and history in general. And theye are the real thing, noy mock-ups.

Quite an experience. The museum really brings to life the plight of the poor in the 19th century. The workhouses must have been quite revolutionary at the time and while still harsh the alternative to the workhouse must have been far worse.



We were greeted yesterday (Mon) afternoon by an extremely pleasant and helpful volunteer.

Interesting Museum much extended since our last visit. The history of the poor, deserving or undeserving, still resonants with the modern world. Loved the pop up cafe for the day.

Had the most amazing day at the museum loved all the activity’s highly recommend. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Had a great visit today - we're regulars at the workhouse museum - the magic lantern show, dressing up and the pumpkin trail were the favourite activities today -but spent ages at the prison and police museum for the children's first visit - and there's so much to see - kept my 4,6 and 8 yr olds happy for ages. The police bike and being 'locked in' a cell got the best responses - watch out for the old police man near the loos it made my 4 yr old jump with shock the fist time he saw it!!!!

Great places to visit especially with Y8 doing research for his history projects. Look forward to coming back to visit courthouse as didn’t make it today.

Great experience we did a ghost hunt there on the 23/06/2017 lots of history and things to see and do very sad place for people to be in the old days

Great day out for all they family , workhouse great for the kids as lots of hand on activities

Fab experience and also good value for money as bought annual tickets for 2 adults £24 and can visit any time in next year. Learned a lot and looking forward to changes happening in Workhouse.

Came with my 2 sons back last summer and had a great time

Been to the workhouse and police museums which were fascinating. Top marks to the volunteers!

An excellent set of museums. We were camping and had some very wet weather so decided to visit the museums over 2 days. Our kids absolutely loved them all. (Age 5, 8 amd 10). Excellent worksheets for kids to complete. We were lucky enough to attend when they were making bread and decorating biscuits. Staff were exceptionally friendly too. £22 very well spent. Would definitely recommend.

A great day at all three museums! And some fabulous volunteers who very kind, helpful, knowledgable and some very in character!

With the kids we visited the Police, Court and Workhouse museums over a few days and really enjoyed them but especially the Workhouse. It was really interesting for the adults but the kids really enjoyed the hands on activities and challenge. All very simple and traditional but very effective. Staffed (and run, restored, furnished and maintained) by very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic volunteers - very well done and thanks.

We did the Police and Prison Museum, we all thought it was very interesting and a great reflection on the social history of the local area. It got a big thumbs up from my 13 year old son. We will be back to do the the Workhouse and Court House.