Herb Trail at Ripon Workhouse Museum Kitchen Garden
Free with museum entry
Step into the Kitchen Garden at Ripon Workhouse Museum and discover how herbs shaped everyday life in Victorian Britain.
Herbs were vital in Victorian workhouses. They added flavour to simple, often bland meals and were relied upon as affordable remedies for everyday ailments.
Our free Herb Trail invites you to explore ten carefully selected plants growing in the garden. Using the illustrated guide, you can find, touch and smell each herb while learning about its culinary and medicinal uses.
The trail also highlights fascinating stories behind herbs such as mullein, once used historically to treat respiratory illnesses and known for its tall yellow flower spikes, and lavender, valued for its calming properties.
Gardens such as ours are living links to the past – preserving historic crops that would once have been grown, cooked and eaten by workhouse residents.
Collect your free Herb Trail map from the Museum’s front desk upon entry and follow the map around the Kitchen Garden.
The trail is aimed at adults but can easily be enjoyed with children.
After you’ve explored our gardens, it’s your chance to get hands on and pot your own herb to take home with you.
Every month visitors will have the opportunity to pot up a different herb to take home and start their own Victorian herb garden – a living reminder of your visit.
Come and explore the sights, scents and stories of the Workhouse Kitchen Garden this season.
Rosemary Sage Thyme Peppermint Lavender Lemon balm Calendula Marjoram Fennel Mullein
Please note that this activity is subject to availability. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This activity is not designed for children under 4 years old. Please be aware that younger children will need adult supervision. As this session involves soil, it may get messy! Handwipes will be provided.