Mr Straw's House
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Mr Straw's House

4.7
·419 reviews·, United Kingdom

Step into a perfectly preserved 1920s home, frozen in time since 1932. A unique glimpse into the everyday life of a grocer's family.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer visitors, more intimate feel

CrowdLow
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Mr Straw's House

Mr Straw's House

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer visitors, more intimate feel

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step into a perfectly preserved 1920s home, frozen in time since 1932. A unique glimpse into the everyday life of a grocer's family.

4.7
(419 reviews)

"Like stepping back in time, this house is a perfectly preserved time capsule of 1920s life."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Your Time Slot

Essential to book ahead! Timed entry ensures a personal experience.

🎒 Leave Large Bags Behind

No large purses or backpacks allowed inside to protect the historic interiors.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The 1932 Time Capsule

The 1932 Time Capsule

Throughout the house

Step into a perfectly preserved 1920s home, frozen in time since 1932. Every item is genuine, offering an unparalleled glimpse into daily life.

Grocer's Legacy

Grocer's Legacy

Throughout the house

Explore the home of a successful grocer, showcasing the comforts and upgrades of the era, from running water to electricity.

Restored Greenhouse

Restored Greenhouse

Garden

Discover the restored wood-framed greenhouse, once home to Mr Straw's son's impressive cactus collection.

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Planning Your Visit

Book Ahead for a Timeless Experience

Entry to Mr Straw's House is by timed slot only, so booking in advance is essential to guarantee your visit. This ensures a more intimate experience, allowing you to truly step back in time without large crowds.

Accessibility and Belongings

Be aware that Mr Straw's House is an original 1920s property with narrow staircases and no facilities for limited mobility. Large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside to preserve the delicate interiors.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer visitors, more intimate feel
Crowd
Low
When
Spring and Autumn
Why
Pleasant weather for gardens
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Like stepping back in time. Mr Straw's House in Worksop has been virtually unchanged since the grocer's family moved there in 1923. . . . #nottinghamshire
bbceastmidlands
283 likes • 13.1K views

🎯 Book Your Time Slot

Essential to book ahead! Timed entry ensures a personal experience. Reddit

🎒 Leave Large Bags Behind

No large purses or backpacks allowed inside to protect the historic interiors. Reddit

At Mr Straw's House in Worksop, volunteers Diane and Janet reveal some everyday 1920s treasures from a home frozen in time.   📺 Watch Hidden Treasures of the National Trust on Fridays at 9pm on BBC Two; the full series is streaming now on #iplayer.   #worksop #HiddenTreasuresNT #nationaltrust #history #britishhistory #mrstrawshouse #bbc #bbciplayer @bbciplayer #bbcarts
bbcarts
1.2K likes • 99.3K views
Pam and I ventured to Mr Straws house in Worksop... a slightly surreal but enjoyable experienec #letlightrule #mrstrawshouse #nationaltrustuk #worksop #nottinghamshire #howweusedtolive #timesgoneby
letlightrule
21 likes • 294 views

🚶‍♀️ Limited Mobility Alert

The house has narrow stairs; not suitable for those with mobility issues. Reddit

🗣️ Chat with Volunteers

Passionate volunteers share fascinating family history and house details. InstagramReddit

From my visit to the National trust site “Mr straws house”. A preserved Victorian house of a successful greengrocer family in Worksop. The house was preserved in its original 1800s decor and parts have been kept in same layout. Not a true urbex spot but a cool time cap and had a nice explore around there. #timecapsulehouse #old #1800s #victorian #permissonvisit #nationaltrust #preserved
zed_urbex_
171 likes • 641 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Your Time Slot

Essential to book ahead! Timed entry ensures a personal experience. Reddit

🎒 Leave Large Bags Behind

No large purses or backpacks allowed inside to protect the historic interiors. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Limited Mobility Alert

The house has narrow stairs; not suitable for those with mobility issues. Reddit

🗣️ Chat with Volunteers

Passionate volunteers share fascinating family history and house details. InstagramReddit

🏡 Explore the Gardens

Enjoy the peaceful gardens and the restored greenhouse, a treat for plant lovers. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(419 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Mr Straw's House as a unique and fascinating 'time capsule' experience, offering an unparalleled glimpse into 1920s domestic life. The authenticity of the preserved interiors and the passion of the volunteers are frequently highlighted as major draws. However, some find the limited mobility access and bag restrictions challenging.

"The property is actually 2 houses, side by side, and one enters the house on the left to check in. Parking is across the street in the old apple orchard. The sign is small so keep a look out.

You need to book a time slot for entry as they only permit a small group into the house at one time. After checking in, you are escorted next door by a guide who gives the history of the house and the family. Really quite informative.

This is the property of a hard working grocer who managed to make enough money to build a house on this "posh" street.
When you walk inside, it's like being in a time capsule from 1932. When Mr. Straw passed suddenly in 1932, his wife proclaimed that nothing was to be touched. When she died her sons did the same. As a result, you are walking into a house that had upgrades for it time period: running water, electricity and a toilet, but no future amenities like central heating or refrigeration.

Mr. Straw's coats still hang on the hooks as they were in 1932. There are stacks and stacks of items still sitting in the spot where they were originally. Room after room was the same.

The self guided tour takes you through all of the rooms, up through the third floor, then exits into the adjacent building, and down the stairs back to the check in desk. There is no accommodation for limited mobility. Also, large purses or backpacks are not permitted to be carried through the house."

Barbara Geisler

"This little time capsule is a absolute must to visit. Every item is genuine to the house. Nothing has changed in the house for around 100 years. You are given a small talk about the history of the Straw family history which is super interesting , then you are left to explore this wonderful house in your own time.
Many thanks to the lovely staff and volunteers there that made us very welcome. Well worth a visit."

Bev Middleton

"Lovely, different kinda NT property with it's own unique charm. You really do get a feeling of stepping back into last century from all of the nik-nacs the Straw family left behind from the sweet tins to the old vacuum and mountains of letters left on the piano. Remember to look above the kitchen door and you'll see a switchboard type system for the live in maid at the time.

The garden is beautiful and divided into two for the two properties with a few apple trees and a plum tree. At the back of Mr Straws garden is a wood framed greenhouse that was restored when NT took over and houses many of his sons Cacti collection.

Definitely worth a couple of hours to spend here and the volunteers are in no rush to kick you out after looking around the house. They're also really friendly.
I spent a while relaxing in the garden and reading the leaflets about the family."

Sarah Plant

What People Like

Authentic time capsule
Preserved interiors
Passionate volunteers

What People Dislike

Limited mobility access
Bag restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Mr Straw's House is located in Worksop. Parking is available across the street in the old apple orchard. Look out for the small sign as it can be easy to miss. Reddit

Yes, parking is available across the street from the house in what was formerly the apple orchard. Reddit

Worksop is served by public transport, and the house is within walking distance of the town center. Check local bus and train schedules for the most up-to-date information.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Yes, booking a timed slot in advance is essential as they only allow small groups inside at one time. Reddit

Opening hours vary seasonally. It's best to check the official National Trust website for the most current information and to book your timed entry slot. Instagram

Admission fees apply, and it's recommended to book online. National Trust members usually get free entry. Check their website for current pricing.

No, entry is strictly by pre-booked timed slot. It's highly recommended to book your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Inside, it's like stepping into a time capsule from 1932. The house is filled with original furniture, objects, and personal belongings of the Straw family, preserved exactly as they were. InstagramReddit

While children can visit, the house's delicate nature and lack of mobility access might make it challenging for very young children or those who struggle to stay still. The historical context might be more engaging for older children. Instagram

A self-guided tour typically takes about an hour, but you can spend longer exploring the gardens and chatting with the volunteers. Reddit

While the tour is largely self-guided, a guide will escort you to the house and provide an informative history of the family and property. Volunteers are also on hand to answer questions. InstagramReddit

Photography rules can vary. It's best to check on arrival or with staff, but generally, non-flash photography for personal use is often permitted. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There are no catering facilities on-site at Mr Straw's House itself. You may find cafes or restaurants in the nearby town of Worksop.

Picnicking is usually permitted in designated garden areas of National Trust properties. Please check on arrival for specific rules regarding food in the gardens.

📸 📸 Photography

The interiors offer unique 'time capsule' shots, capturing the preserved 1920s decor. The gardens and the restored greenhouse also provide lovely photographic subjects. Instagram

Flash photography is generally not permitted inside historic houses to protect the delicate interiors and artifacts. Always check for signage or ask a volunteer. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Mr Straw's House offers a unique, albeit potentially challenging, experience for families. While the concept of a 'time capsule' house can be fascinating, the property's original features mean limited mobility access and strict rules against large bags are in place. Parents should be prepared for a more contained visit, focusing on the historical aspects that might appeal to older children interested in how people lived in the past. InstagramReddit

Encourage children to engage with the volunteers, who are often happy to share stories about the family and the house's contents. The gardens offer a space for children to move around more freely, and the restored greenhouse might spark curiosity. It's a good opportunity to discuss social history and the differences between life then and now, but perhaps best suited for families with children who can appreciate a quieter, more observational experience. Reddit

🏛️ History Buffs & Social History Enthusiasts

For those fascinated by social history, Mr Straw's House is an absolute must-visit. It provides an unrivaled look at domestic life in the 1920s and 1930s, preserved with an authenticity rarely seen. The sheer volume of original artifacts, from everyday objects to personal correspondence, offers a deeply personal connection to the past. InstagramReddit

This isn't a curated museum exhibit; it's a genuine snapshot of a family's life, frozen in time. The house raises profound questions about memory, legacy, and how we tell our stories through the objects we leave behind. Engaging with the passionate volunteers will undoubtedly deepen your understanding and appreciation of this unique historical site. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

A Glimpse into 1920s Life

Mr Straw's House offers an unparalleled journey back to the 1920s and 1930s. Unlike many historic houses that are curated to showcase a specific period or event, this property is a genuine time capsule, preserving the everyday life of the Straw family, a prosperous grocer's family in Worksop. The house was left untouched after Mr. Straw's sudden death in 1932, and his wife and sons continued this tradition, meaning that the contents and layout have remained virtually unchanged for nearly a century. InstagramReddit

Visitors can expect to see original furniture, household objects, personal belongings, and even the family's coats still hanging on the hooks. The house features upgrades of its time, such as running water, electricity, and a toilet, but notably lacks later amenities like central heating or refrigeration, offering a stark contrast to modern living. This authenticity provides a deeply personal and often poignant connection to the past, making it a unique experience for those interested in social history. InstagramReddit

The National Trust has meticulously conserved the property, ensuring that the delicate silk ribbons on a 1920s calendar have been repaired and the greenhouse restored. Instagram This dedication to preservation allows visitors to explore room after room, feeling as though they've stepped directly into the lives of the Straw family. The volunteers play a crucial role, sharing fascinating anecdotes and historical context that enrich the visit. Reddit

The Straw Family's Legacy

The story of Mr Straw's House is intrinsically linked to the family who lived there. Mr. Straw was a successful grocer who managed to build a comfortable life for his family, evident in the well-appointed home on a desirable street. His sudden passing in 1932 marked a pivotal moment, leading to the house being preserved as a testament to his life and the family's wishes. Reddit

This preservation, while offering a unique historical insight, also raises questions about legacy and the decision to leave a home untouched for future generations. The sheer volume of items – from sweet tins and old vacuum cleaners to stacks of letters on the piano – speaks to a life lived fully and a desire to hold onto memories. Reddit The house also showcases the domestic arrangements of the time, with mentions of a switchboard system for a live-in maid above the kitchen door. Reddit

The garden, divided between the two properties, features apple and plum trees, and the restored greenhouse once housed Mr. Straw's son's extensive cactus collection. Reddit This personal touch extends the narrative beyond the house itself, offering a more complete picture of the family's life and interests. The volunteers are passionate about sharing these stories, making the visit both educational and engaging. InstagramReddit

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