Workhouse and Infirmary: National Trust site is one of best in UK
According to a new study, the Workhouse and Infirmary in Nottinghamshire has been named among the best National Trust sites in the country.
The research, conducted by the team at Solitaire Bliss, analysed all 610 National Trust locations across the UK.
Each site was rated based on the number of facilities and accessibility features available. The two figures were added together to give a score for each National Trust spot. They were then ranked based on the highest totals.
The Workhouse and Infirmary appears in ninth place in the study’s final ranking, with a total score of 26.
The research found that the National Trust site has 11 different facilities and 15 accessibility features.
Some of these features include on-site mobility scooters, step-free level access into and throughout the kitchen garden, and wheelchair-accessible picnic benches.
The Workhouse and Infirmary also offers accessible toilets, lift access to the Infirmary building, and induction hearing loops for information tours of the building.
Located in Southwell and originally built in 1824, the Workhouse and Infirmary is one of the best-preserved examples of a workhouse in the country and has become a popular tourist spot.
Quarry Bank in Cheshire takes the top spot in the ranking, with a score of 33. A site steeped in the history of the Industrial Revolution, Quarry Bank is home to 13 different facilities, including a play area, café, and restaurant.
The 18th-century Gibside estate in Tyne and Wear ranks second, with an overall score of 29. Across 600 acres of gardens, woodland, and countryside, Gibside has more facilities than any other National Trust site, with 15. Some of these include a coffee shop, guided tour, and picnic area.
Derbyshire’s Calke Abbey country house places third among all National Trust locations for facilities and accessibility features, receiving a total score of 28.
Other high-ranking National Trust locations include Dunham Massey, Blickling Estate, Belton Estate, Stowe Gardens, and Hardwick.
The spokesperson for Solitaire Bliss commented:
“As visitors flock to National Trust properties over the summer, it’s important to remember that a great trip out is about more than just beautiful scenery or historic buildings; it’s also about how easy and enjoyable the experience is for every visitor.
“It’s fantastic to see Nottinghamshire’s Workhouse and Infirmary place so highly in this study, especially as the site combines a wide range of visitor facilities with strong accessibility features.”