Bridewell Museum

The Bridewell Museum is a local history museum in Norwich, housed in a stone building with two floors and ten exhibition rooms. The rooms contain machinery, tools, and household items that show how goods were made in the city over the centuries.

The building was constructed in the 14th century and originally served as a residence before being used for other purposes over time. It later functioned as a prison and a factory before being converted into a museum.

The looms and sewing machines on display show how textile work shaped daily routines in the city for generations. One section focuses on the shoemaking workshops that once lined nearby streets, illustrating how families earned their living through craft.

The entrance is located on a narrow street in the city center, and the museum opens Tuesday through Saturday. Guided tours can be arranged in advance, and rooms are accessed by stairs.

A large 19th-century weaving loom stands in one of the rooms and is the last of its kind to survive in Norwich. A wall mosaic made from thousands of small photographs submitted by residents represents their own stories of the city.

Location: Norwich

Part of: Norfolk Museums

Address: Bridewell Alley, Norwich NR2 1AQ

Website: https://museums.norfolk.gov.uk/museum-of-norwich

GPS coordinates: 52.63010,1.29536

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26