HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Due to is past wealth, Norfolk has plenty of fine historic buildings, including the highest concentration of medieval churches in the world.

Norwich Cathedral dominates the skyline of the city. The building was started in 1096 and took nearly 200 years to complete, with stone shipped from Caen in Normandy. After the townsfolk set fire to the cathedral in the riots of 1272, the timber roofs were replaced with stone vaulting with carved and painted roof bosses. It is one of the finest Cathedrals in England.

Pulls Ferry is a 15th century Norwich arch, named after a ferryman who worked here. A canal from the river was dug from here to the cathedral, to allow stone to be ferried as close to the construction site as possible. The inlet remained until the late 1700s.

Further along the riverside path is a medieval brick defensive lookout called Cow Tower. It was built at the end of the 12th Century at a strategic bend in the River Wensum as part of the city defences. It was later used as a shelter for cows.

Elm Hill, one of the oldest streets in Norwich and is a leap back in history. It was largely rebuilt after the great fire of 1507 but still retains its Tudor character to the present day. The narrow cobbled streets are flanked either side by genuine Tudor houses some of which are now pretty little shops. One interesting fact is that are more Tudor houses in Elm Hill than in the whole of the City of London.

Norwich Guildhall was built in 1410 and includes council chambers as well as justice courts and even prison cells. The very distinctive design of fine chequered flint work on the outside show the city was amongst the largest and wealthiest cities in England. It was used for both civic and judicial functions for some five hundred years.

Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. Used as a prison from the 14th century, the Castle became a museum in 1894. One of Norfolk's principal museums, the Castle is packed with treasures including outstanding collections of fine art, archaeology and natural history.

In Little Walsingham there are the remains of a medieval priory. Midway along the main street is the 13th century gateway leading to the remains of the priory. Dominating the site, is the impressive, twin turreted 13th century arch, that would have housed the great east window of the priory church. There is a section of vaulted undercroft to the monks dormitory remaining, as well as the end of the south wall of the dining room. The priory grounds are beautifully maintained, and in Spring the woodland setting is bursting with flowers, including bluebells, daffodils and brilliant white snowdrops. Walking long the footpath beside the River Stiffkey, a narrow stone bridge can be found and this was built as an access road for pack horses.

Burnham Thorpe is the birthplace of Horatio Nelson. His father, Edmund Nelson, moved to Burnham Thorpe in 1755, after his marriage. Horatio, the 6th of their 11 children was born on 29th September 1758 in a house called the Shooting Box! Horatio went away to study and after his early years in the Navy, he returned for 5 years to Burnham Thorpe with his new wife. Nelson was given his first role as Captain after this and the rest is history. The pub in Burnham Thorpe was built in 1637 as the Plough, but fell into disrepair and in 1966 the new landlord restored it to its 1793 state, renaming it the Lord Nelson. The church where his father was Rector, is well worth a visit as it is full of Nelson family memorabilia, including a cross and lectern made from wood from HMS Victory.

In Wymondham is Becket's Chapel, which was founded in 1174 by William d'Albini, son of the founder of the Abbey. You will also find in Wymondham, the Green Dragon Pub, a late fifteenth century building, standing next to the Abbey gate, once served as a hostelry for Abbey visitors. Wymondham Abbey itself, was founded in 1107 by William d'Albini and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Alban, this was later changed to St Mary and St Thomas of Canterbury.

Norfolk also has its fair share of stately homes and halls. These include the Holkham estate on the North Norfolk Coast and Blickling Hall near Aylsham.

Enjoy your visit to a Norfolk Historic Building! - Comment on this tour

TOUR INDEX

Norwich
Walsingham
Burnham Thorpe
Wymondham