Norwich: Modern meets medieval
As well as being considered one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities, Norwich is also complemented by a strong contemporary arts scene. Alex Middleton discovers how your group can make the most of a visit.
Norwich may not immediately spring to mind when planning a group trip in the UK. However, the city is in fact home to some of the finest medieval architecture in Europe. Its ancient winding lanes house attractions that range from the traditional to the cutting edge, along with a fine market, shops and arcades.
Stories of the city
Norwich is packed with historic sites and museums. A relatively new addition, the Forum was built in 2000 to house amenities such as galleries, a new state of the art library, a restaurant and a cafe. The building stands beside the city’s large market place and art-deco City Hall and, like its 1930s counterpart, has a bold design that manages to sit comfortably in ancient surroundings. It is a good place for groups to begin a visit to the city, offering not only refreshments, but also a meet and greet scheme which can be booked in advance, giving groups a brief introduction to the city and an opportunity to relax after their journey. In front of the building, a small amphitheatre has been created where outdoor performances of everything from opera to drama are staged during the summer months. Performances move indoors during the winter, with the Forum hosting a programme of music, comedy and drama in its grand central atrium. Groups can also take the opportunity to book a walking tour of the city to familiarise themselves with their surroundings through the tourist information centre at the site.
A short walk to the west of the Forum, is the Plantation Garden. Set in three acres, the garden was created in the mid-19th century, but fell into disrepair during the Great War. Using old plans and original photographs, it has been restored to provide an example of mid Victorian garden architecture, with a large gothic fountain, rustic bridge, summerhouse, Italianate terrace and imitation medieval walls. Guided tours are available for groups if pre-booked.
Meanwhile, Norwich Castle, also situated a short walk away from the Forum, is said to be one of the best examples of secular Norman architecture in the world and now houses the City Museum and Art Gallery. Set over three floors, within the 900 year old keep, the Museum has 12 permanent exhibitions including Anglo-Saxon and Viking, Natural History and Modern Art. Although the collections are generally small, the quality of the exhibits is high, and the inside of the Keep gives a fascinating insight into how it would have looked nine centuries ago. Groups of 15 or more receive discounts.
Down the hill from the Castle, Dragon Hall, is reputed to be one of the best preserved late medieval buildings in the region. Built by a wealthy merchant, the building’s history will give groups an insight into the changing fortunes of the area, from its heyday when the Hall was constructed, to its later decline illustrated by the building’s descent into slum housing during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a discount on entry and a meet and greet scheme at a nearby coach park is available with prior notice at no extra cost.
Not far from here, Bridewell Museum, once a prison for prostitutes and beggars, now houses collections and exhibitions about local trades and industries. The Museum features recreated rooms and shops, such as a Victorian chemist’s shop and an early twentieth century pawnbroker’s, displaying household items that allow groups to experience what daily life in Norwich was once like. For groups of 15 or more, there is a discount on entrance.
A brief stroll from here is the 14th century Strangers Hall, named after Dutch settlers who were known locally as ‘Strangers.’ The house, which has also been the home of mayors and poor slum dwellers, was restored in the late 19th century and turned into one of the nation’s first museums dealing with everyday life. It now contains rooms illustrating domestic scenes from the Tudor period through to Georgian times and into the modern day. Groups interested in visiting the Hall should contact Norfolk Museums, who run the venue, to arrange tours and find out about the various discounts available to them.
For football fans, Norwich City FC or the Canaries (who are named after the songbirds brought to the city by Dutch immigrants in the 16th century), offers group tours of its ground, Carrow Road, which, among other things, takes in the dressing rooms, trophy cabinet, executive boxes and press room and last about 90 minutes. Groups may also be interested in booking a meal at the restaurant and bar, run by the club’s most famous director, Delia Smith, although these are only open on Friday and Saturday evenings. Free coach parking is available.
A religious focus
It was once said of Norwich that you could drink in a different pub every day of the year and worship in a different church each week. Naturally, pubs are still in abundance and of the Medieval churches, 48 are still standing. Today, they are not all used for worship but, with their fine Medieval architecture and gardens they retain their original serenity and, tucked away down old lanes, have much for groups to explore.
By far the most impressive of these, Norwich Cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in the world. Its spire was added in the 15th century and is second in height in the UK only to Salisbury Cathedral. The roof bosses, throughout the Cathedral and cloisters are carved into scenes telling the story of the bible in one continuous work of art. Groups who explore the small close around the Cathedral, which are is around a green and lined with cottages and imposing old houses, will be rewarded with views of the Cathedral’s elegant Norman arches. Guided tours are available. The cathedral refectory also offers pre-booked group meals.
A walk back towards the Forum will bring groups to the impressive 15th century church of St Peter Mancroft, which stands opposite. The church was built in perpendicular English gothic style and contains many fine examples of Medieval stained glass and architectural ornamentation. Groups can arrange a tour of the church with a Blue Badge guide at the Tourist Information Centre in the Forum or with a church guide though the parish office.
Nearby, groups will see the impressive St Giles on the Hill, on St Giles Street, which has the tallest tower of all Norwich’s ancient churches. The medieval building is still used for regular worship, but groups are welcome to visit when the church is not being used for services. The church features a hammerbeam roof with carved angels bearing the shields of both England and France and mace stands engraved with the coats of arms of past city mayors. It also houses a very rare eagle lectern from the 15th century and is famous in the city for its ancient wysteria which blooms each summer.
A short walk west from St Giles on the Hill stands the imposing Roman Catholic Cathedral. Although consecrated in 1910, the cathedral, a gift to the city from the then Duke of Norfolk, was built in early English gothic style to fill a gap in Norwich’s architectural legacy as no examples of this period had survived. The Cathedral is the second largest Catholic cathedral in the country and houses a selection of Victorian stained glass and faux medieval architecture. Guided tours of the building and the tower, with views across the city, are available to groups.
Exquisite art and great theatre
For groups with an interest in the arts, Norwich’s thriving arts scene ranges from world class design to the avant garde, whilst the city’s theatres offer groups the ideal way to round off your day.
The King of Hearts Centre for people and the arts, in the city centre, is housed in a remarkable Tudor merchant’s house. The ground floor hall, with mullioned windows and beamed ceilings, serves as an art gallery, containing works by notable contemporary artists such as Sir Terry Frost and also displays recent acquisitions such as lithographs by Chagall. On the first floor, the tudor panelled music room hosts regular concerts and recitals, ranging from early baroque to contemporary folk and jazz music. The centre also houses a cafe, which can provide pre-booked groups with teas and lunches, and a shop selling works by local artists.
The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is a public art gallery located two miles to the west of the city centre at the University of East Anglia. Housed in a building designed by Norman Foster, the museum’s collections mainly feature items of art and design from the late 19th century to the present day by artists and designers such as Lalique, Tiffany and students of the Bauhaus school. The gallery underwent a major refurbishment in 2006, and now features new display space for the Sainsbury Collection, which includes works by Degas, Picasso and Giacometti, a new cafe and shops. Groups can arrange guided tours themed around one particular artist or designer and the centre has recently introduced an itinerary that includes a tour of the gallery followed by a cream tea cruise on the Broads with City Boats.
For groups looking for evening entertainment in the city, the 1,300 seat art-deco Norwich Theatre Royal provides an eclectic programme of theatre, opera, ballet and dance. The theatre, which is currently closed for refurbishment but due to reopen in November 2007, also features a cafe, restaurant and bar. Groups can pre-book dinner in the restaurant or in a private room. Discounts are generally available on group tickets, but vary for each performance.
Located a short distance from Norwich Theatre Royal is Maddermarket Theatre, on Maddermarket in the winding Norwich lanes, from which it take its name. The theatre, built in 1921, is a recreation of an Elizabethan playhouse housed in a black and white timberframe building. It runs a regular programme of everything from Shakespeare to contemporary drama, comedy and musicals by local and national companies. Group discounts are available on performances, but these may vary depending upon the production.
Meanwhile, the magnificent St Andrew’s & Blackfriars’ Halls, a 600-year old building that once housed a Dominican monastery, now serves as a concert venue for the city. Its programme often features events that range from classical philharmonics to nostalgic 60s pop and swing music. Groups can pre-book dinner and refreshments at the site’s restaurant.
Chic arcades and luxury department stores
Another of the city’s assets is its wealth of shopping venues. As with the city’s other attractions, most of the shopping areas are located in the city centre within easy walking distance of each other.
The city’s most popular shopping areas spread out on the streets surrounding the ancient Norwich Market, making it an ideal base from which to explore these retail opportunities. Norwich Market has stood in the same location since Norman times and the stalls’ coloured canopies are a reminder of the days when the coloured fabrics boasted the wealth of the owner. It is open Monday to Saturday and provides everything from tools and leather goods to Asian and continental foods.
Facing the Market is the entrance to the Royal Arcade. Built in 1899 in an art nouveau style, the arcade has a glass canopy housing boutiques and shops, including Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum, where groups can gain an insight into the 200-year history of the company and view a replica of their original Victorian shop.
Having passed through the Royal Arcade, groups will find the Castle Mall shopping centre, which is built into the hillside of the castle mount. The centre houses a range of high street stores such TK Maxx, as well as a selection of restaurants and cafes.
Further west from the castle is situated Norwich’s second large shopping centre, Chapelfields. Housing 80 stores, including the regions only branch of House of Fraser, the centre also offers groups on a shopping spree over 17 cafes and restaurants in which to recharge.
Heading back towards the Market via the main shopping streets, groups will find high street stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams and should make time to stop in Jarrolds, the city’s only independent department store. Founded in 1823, the store has a full range of departments selling everything from designer fashion to top quality food and drink in the deli. With a restaurant and two cafes offering elegant afternoon teas, the store is an ideal place for groups to take a break.
Just north of the Market groups looking for something a bit different will find the area known as the Norwich Lanes, situated between Guidhall Hill and Charing Cross. Winding gently downhill from the Market these old narrow lanes are packed with new, often quirky, independent stores, ideal for the adventurous shopper.
Branching further out into East Anglia
With the Broads, a series of protected waterways and wetlands, stretching 30 miles eastwards from the city to the coast, and picturesque countryside lying northward all the way to the Wash, Norwich is also a good base for wider exploration of East Anglia.
One of the best ways to explore the Broads is by boat. For groups based in Norwich, City Boats offers a range of tours of the waterways starting in the city and going out onto the Broads in its river buses, which have on board catering facilities offering snacks and afternoon teas. Groups can take advantage of discounts on many itineraries.
Further afield, Broads Tours operates from berths in the scenic townof Wroxham and the ancient village of Potter Heigham. Its boats, which include a paddle steamer and double decker river bus, offer groups the opportunity to travel further out along the waterways. Joint itineraries include a cruise on the rivers followed by a journey on a steam train on the Bure Valley Railway. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more on all itineraries.
The Bure Valley Railway itself is a narrow gauge steam railway that runs between Wroxham and the market town of Aylsham, about ten miles north of Norwich, along the banks of the River Bure. There are stops at the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall, all of which are connected by foot and cycle paths. A discount is available to groups of 20 or more on travel.
A mile north of Aylsham and twelve miles north of Norwich, in rural Norfolk, stands the National Trust owned Blickling Hall, an early 17th century Jacobean property. The house features a Long Gallery housing one of the most important collections of rare books in England, as well as Mortlake tapestries and fine plaster ceilings. Its garden contains 55 acres of herbaceous borders, topiary yew hedges, an orangery and lake. Beyond this, the park contains woodland and lakeside walks. Groups of 12 or more are entitled to a discount on entry to the property, gardens and park. Coach parking is free.
Our thanks to VisitNorwich, Holiday Inn Norwich City and Norwich Nelson Premier Travel Inn for their hospitality to Alex Middleton during his visit to Norwich.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
VisitNorwich
2 Millennium Plain
Bethel Street
Norwich
NR2 1TF
Telephone: +44 (0)1603 727979
Fax: +44 (0)1603 727955
Email: tourism@visitnorwich.co.uk
Web: www.visitnorwich.co.uk