Easthampstead: Former Union Workhouse

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 10 Jun 2010

Now a mental health facility used by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust this was once the Easthampstead Union Workhouse. The central building with the cupola is the oldest part, there being several Victorian and modern extensions. Some idea of the workhouse can be gleaned from old census returns. In 1851 for example, James Banton was the Master, his wife Eleanor was the Matron, and George Gibbons was the School Master. There were 65 inmates all described as paupers, a very few of whom were also agricultural labourers. About two thirds of the inmates were children aged 14 or younger. The oldest was one Isabella Brant with a given age of 85 implying a birth date of about 1766. Some common surnames of the inmates were Beach, Bowyer, Kent, Sanders, Searl and Slark.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0