Information for record number MWA19225:
Site of Warwick Union Workhouse, Lakin Road, Warwick

Summary The site of Warwick Union workhouse, constructed in 1837. Virtually all the former workhouse buildings have now been demolished, although parts of the 1903 infirmary remain.
What Is It?  
Type: Workhouse, Infirmary, Mortuary, Chapel
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Warwick
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 65
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection Local
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Warwick Poor Law Union was formed on 29th June 1836. A new Warwick Union workhouse was erected in 1837-9 at a site on the east side of what became Union Road, now Lakin Road. The Poor Law Commissioners authorised an expenditure of up to £8,000 on construction of the building which was initially to accommodate 200 inmates. It was designed by W Watson who was also the architect of the Walsall Union workhouse. Its layout was based on the double-cruciform plan, a relatively uncommon layout found in only a few other workhouses such as those at Henstead in Norfolk, and Stroud in Gloucestershire. The central block contained the board-room, administrative offices, and Master's quarters. Separate male and female accommodation was placed at each side. In 1848, a 30-bed infirmary was erected at the west side of Union Road. This was extended in 1857, and in 1876 an infectious hospital was erected to its west. In August 1852, it was agreed to introduce gas into the workhouse and infirmary. In 1881 separate schoolrooms and children's dormitories were built in the workhouse grounds. A chapel and mortuary were erected in 1883. In 1902-3 a new 132-bed infirmary was built to the west of the old infirmary. After 1930, the former workhouse became known as Warwick infirmary, then subsequently as Warwick hospital. Virtually all the former workhouse buildings have been demolished. Parts of the 1903 infirmary remain.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: The Workhouse - The Story of the Workhouse
Author/originator: Peter Higgingbottom
Date: 2014
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument SCHOOLROOM * A room in a school devoted to the formal instruction of pupils. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument WORKHOUSE * A 19th century establishment for the provision of work for the unemployed poor of a parish; later an institution administered by Guardians of the Poor, in which paupers are lodged and the able-bodied set to work. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument HOSPITAL * An establishment providing medical or surgical treatment for the ill or wounded. Use narrower term where possible. back
monument CHAPEL * A freestanding building, or a room or recess serving as a place of Christian worship in a church or other building. Use more specific type where known. back
monument INFIRMARY * A building used for the care of the sick. Only to be used where part of a complex, eg. a workhouse. In such cases use with appropriate monument type. back
monument OFFICE * A building or room where business, administrative or professional activities are conducted. Use specific type where known. back
monument MORTUARY * A building or room used for holding, viewing, identifying or examining dead bodies prior to burial or cremation. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record