Our image of workhouses has often been coloured by the writings of authors such as Charles Dickens. But what was the reality? Where exactly were all these institutions located? And what happened to them? People are often surprised to discover that a building in their own town, perhaps now turned into flats, or still forming part of a local hospital, was once a workhouse. This copiously illustrated book provides a comprehensive guide to the workhouses that were set up across London and the neighboring counties of Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. AUTHOR: Peter Higginbotham has been researching the workhouse for almost twenty years and has published extensively on the subject, both online and in books and articles. In 2015 he was awarded the Society of Genealogists' prestigious 'Certificate of Recognition' for his 'dedication in compiling extensive information on workhouses and children's homes and making it widely available.' He has made many media appearances including on several episodes of the BBC TV shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Heir Hunters. 140 b/w images