Cleveland Street Workhouse, Georgian workhouse in Fitzrovia, London.
Cleveland Street Workhouse is a four-story building with an H-shaped layout located in Fitzrovia. Its symmetrical facades and large windows display typical Georgian architectural features.
The building was established in 1778 as a poor relief facility for people unable to support themselves due to illness or poverty. It represents a period when Britain fundamentally reorganized its approach to combating poverty.
The workhouse occupied a central role in London's welfare system and shaped how poor relief was organized across the city. Its institutional approach became a model for similar facilities built throughout Britain.
The building stands on Cleveland Street in central London and is easy to spot by its distinctive Georgian facade. The location is well-served by public transport and offers a clear view of the area's historical architecture.
Archaeological excavations at a former burial ground uncovered more than 1000 skeletons buried between 1780 and 1853. These finds offer valuable insights into the daily lives of London's poorest residents during that era.
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