Gressenhall Farm and Workshouse

If you think museums are dusty old places full of precious pieces you can’t touch then Gressenhall Museum certainly bucks the trend. It is a museum of Norfolk Life which weaves together a traditional farm, cottage and historic workhouse to tell a tale of how people used to live.
Our children love going there and particularly enjoy meeting the animals (Suffolk Punch horses, pigs, goats, rabbits and chickens) as well as trying their hand at milking a cow (simulated not literally!) and filling a bucket with an old-​fashioned water pump. The tractor trailer ride around the farm is good fun and the commentary is very informative and interesting. From the farm you can take a lovely riverside walk and also do a spot of pond-​dipping.
The workhouse is full of fascinating displays and interactive games. Children have the opportunity to dress up in Victorian dress and sometimes the staff and volunteers do re-​enactments of life at the workhouse. There is a 1950’s room too where for some it will feel like stepping back in time as you sit down with a rag rug at your feet.
A fairly new addition is the children’s wooden adventure playground with a giant swing and huge long slide. You may not see your children for a good hour or so when they discover this place!
There are plenty of picnic spots around the site or the Mardlers Rest café does some lovely food.
They often have special events on during holiday days. These are good but can get very busy. Craft workshops take place for children on these days too.
There is so much to see here that it is doubtful you will be able to do it all in one day. If you live locally it might be worth getting an annual ticket so you can visit as many times as you like. It also gives you entry to all the other Norfolk Museums. Very good value!