A section of an early map showing Machynlleth workhouse is shown below.

In all workhouses there was very little furniture, with wooden beds crammed into dormitories for the inmates to sleep on.

There were no books, toys or games for the children to play with.

Perhaps worst of all, husbands, wives and children were forced to stay in different parts of the workhouse and never allowed to see each other !

An early engraving of the workhouse near Machynlleth is shown above.