Despite its name, Thursford Castle was never actually a castle, but rather the location of the Walsingham Union Workhouse.
This workhouse, built in 1836, housed 250 ‘guests’ and had a unique octagonal design.
After closing in the 1930s, the buildings were used as a hospital and later by the Civil Defence, before being purchased by a property speculator who renamed it Thursford Castle.
Unfortunately, the structures deteriorated and were eventually demolished, leaving the site to nature.
When we acquired the site in 2013, only the Chapel and perimeter walls with turrets and rifle slits remained.
During the hard work of clearing the site, we found the original foundations of the workhouse and have since built footpaths over them. In this way you can walk around the old buildings and reflect on the history.
The design of the main house is a contemporary interpretation of the workhouse walled enclosure, with an inner courtyard tucked away from the rest of the world.
