The Workhouse
The building was erected in about 1781 as a workhouse for the parishes of Bawdeswell, Billingford, Bintree, Bylaugh, Foxley, Lyng, and Sparham but was no longer required when the new Gressenhall workhouse was built to serve all the parishes in the area. From about 1828 to 1875 the building was used as a school. It later became a bakery and shop with a blacksmiths shop in outbuildings and an early petrol pump outside. It then became quite run down but has now been restored.
Now divided into two parts it hosts "The Old Workhouse Bar" and a private dwelling. Grade II listed it has previously been known as 'The Gables'.
It's Grade II listing says - House, formerly a workhouse, then school, then bakery and shop. Main wing of 1781 (White's 1845), cross wing C16. Cross wing of galletted flint and brick dressings and brick heightening. Main wing of brick. Pantile roofs. 2 storeys. Cross wing with 2 simple C19 4-bay shop fronts with pilasters incorporating a panelled door to east. South shop front set between original brick keyed window jambs. Similar quoins. One C19 3-light chamfered mullion and transom window to first floor south. West facade of 3 bays of late C19 sash windows with stucco rustication. C18 or C19 hipped roof. Main wing with 3 bays of C19 3-light chamfered mullion and transom windows set into original openings. Skewback arches with cambered soffits to ground floor windows. Off-centre front doorway with pilasters overlapping architrave and dentilated frieze. Interior of cross wing with 2 double ogee moulded bridging joists with straight stops.
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