NHER 2105 (Monument record) - Site of Thursford Castle, formerly Walsingham Union Workhouse and chapel

Thursford Castle.
Workhouse, by Thorold, 1837, later smallpox hospital.

1977. NARG survey of chapel and sewage works.
The site consist of a range of brick buildings built as a workhouse and later used as a smallpox hospital.
It is now derelict and in a dangerous condition.
Guard points with rifle slits at four corners of outer wall.
See unpublished document (S3) for further details.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 24 July 2026.

Corners of building had guardposts with rifle slits to stop peasants storming it in times of famine. Alternatively to prevent them attacking the builders.
Information from S. Wade-Martins.

1980.
Due to the derelict condition of the site, legal proceedings were instigated to have the site either made safe or demolished.
Inmformation from press cutting (S5).
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 24 July 2026.

1980. Field Observation.
Brief observation in passing. Only chapel (NHER 70179) and some fragments standing as shells like a Piranesi print.
Information from record card (S1).
E. Rose (NAU), 1980. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 24 July 2026.

June 1980. Field Obsevation.
Remains of building photographed by T. Gregory (NAU).
Cruciform building plan inside polygonal outer ranges.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 24 July 2026.

The majority of the buildings on site, with the exception of the chapel and outer walls, were demolished sometime before August 1994 when the site was put up for auction (S7). Aerial imagery from Google Early indicates that the site was significnatly redeveloped sometime between 2006 and 2017. A new home was constructed abutting the chapel and the area inside the outer workhouse walls was cleared and transformed into a garden featuring the former plan of the original workhouse.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 24 July 2026.

July 2026. HER Enhancement: Forestry Commission Project K.
NHER 2104, located within Thursford Common approximately 470m to the west (at TF 9718 3519), records the site of a 19th century hospital for infectious diseases.
It is most likely that the record refers to the smallpox hospital location at the Walsingham Union Workhouse and therefore NHER 2104 has been revoked.
H. Hamilton (HES), 26 July 2026.