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You may view the information for ALL the towns and villages
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A unique juxtaposition of
the old and new, Norwich is a sublime city
with a mighty castle, an astounding cathedral
and a curiously laid-back attitude. Surrounded
by a four-mile wall containing a dozen
gateways, it started life as three separate
Anglo Saxon settlements on the River Wensum
and in the 10th century was ruled
by King Athelstan. |
Norwich Castle Entrance - Photo:
Katy Appleton
CCL |
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Norwich Cathedral Cloisters and Tower -
Photo:
Mark Anderson
CCL |
Today it is both an ultra-modern shopping and
entertainment centre and a delightful piece of
history which owes a great debt to medieval
Flemish immigrants who introduced the weaving
of worsted cloth and, latterly, to the
manufacture of such domestic necessities as
chocolate, shoes and mustard.
Its
powerful Norman castle looks down haughtily on
the metropolis from a hill and is now a
multi-faceted museum. The city’s magnificent
Cathedral of Holy Trinity, also Norman, looks
delicate by comparison, especially its ornate,
slender spire. Founded by Herbert de Losinga
in 1096, it contains The Bishops Ancient
Throne and Despener Reredos, a fine example of
the East Anglian School of Painting. The
Gothic architecture is spellbinding. |
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Within the city are no less than 33 medieval
churches, including St John Maddermark, which
has some interesting monumental brasses, and
the 15th century church of St
Andrews. The Church of St Peter Mancroft
contains bells from the Spanish Armada dated
to 1588.
In
the restored 15th century Guildhall
is the Spanish general’s sword presented by
Horatio Nelson to the city in 1797. Other
museums include the St Peter Hungate Museum
and Brass Rubbing Centre and the Royal Norfolk
Regiment Museum. |
Church of St Peter Mancroft - Photo:
Katy Appleton
CCL |
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Royal Arcade - Photo:
Katy Appleton
CCL |
Bridwell Museum, dating to
the 14th century, and Strangers
Hall are both medieval merchants' houses. The
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, at Earlham,
was designed by Sir Norman Foster and houses
an important art collection donated to the
University of East Anglia by Sir Robert and
Lady Sainsbury in 1973. Artists include Moore,
Epstein, Degas and Picasso.
At the Fairhaven Garden
Trust is an oak tree said to be more than 900
years old. |
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Further information:
Norwich Hotels, Guesthouses and B&B Accommodation
Norwich Cottages, Apartments and Self Catering
Accommodation
Norwich Camping and Caravan Sites
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