Norwich with its largest collection of historic buildings in the country shines in the spotlight this month says Melanie Cook of VisitNorwich.
www.VisitNorwich.co.uk
Norwich is a city evolving. Nobly retaining its historic integrity, yet embracing a changing landscape fit for the 21st century. Something the people of Norwich are steadfastly proud of.
With over 1500 Grade I and II listed buildings and 32 medieval churches making it the largest collection of pre-Reformation churches of any city north of the Alps – this is Norwich. And with England’s free and ‘largest festival of history and culture’, Heritage Open Days, happening between 6th – 15th September, now is the time to peel back the layers of our city’s history.
It’s time to explore
Heritage Open Days in Norwich and Norfolk, by The Forum, is the largest festival programme outside London. Supported by a proud number of volunteers who open their buildings, run tours and throw celebrations for free to allow us to live our history. If you love architecture and culture, this is a festival you don’t want to miss. This festival is bursting at the seams. So, take this as your invitation to turn the pages on incredible historic stories, because stories are the cornerstone of this celebration.
Norwich Cathedral is a regular showstopper during Heritage Open Days and this year, as always, there’s a lot happening. Most of us will have heard of the 1415 battle of Agincourt, yet did you know Sir Thomas Erpingham, a Norfolk knight played an important role in this English military history story? Discover everything on two pre-bookable tours on 6th and 14th of September. And if you don’t get tickets, Sir Thomas is buried at the cathedral for you to visit.
A name many of us will recognise is Julian of Norwich (1642-1416). “All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well”, Revelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich. A copy is held at the Museum of Norwich.
With her loyal international following bringing thousands of people to Norwich, Julian of Norwich is one of Europe’s greatest mystics. The story of Julian was instrumental in Norwich’s bid in 2012 to become a UNESCO City of Literature – and thankfully we were successful in this. Norwich became England’s first city to gain this status.
St Julian’s church is open every day for visits, prayer, and daily worship. On 12th September for Heritage Open Days Paul Dickson will be taking ‘Julian’s Medieval Norwich’ guided tour from St Julian’s Church (must be pre-booked).
If you are not lucky enough to get tickets, outside of the festival, Paul runs tours regularly. The next is 17th October (£12). Book at his website – pauldicksontours.co.uk.
All Hallows Guesthouse, a simple accommodation by the church with rooms from £40 a night, is a comfortable place to stay if you want to immerse yourself in Julian.
Including seasonal local produce continental breakfasts purchased daily from Norwich Market and making their own artisan bread, this is a peaceful place to rest and contemplate.
There are also two festival tours for ‘Julian’s many connections’ at Norwich Cathedral on 6th and 7th of September (must be pre-booked) where you can view a statue of Julian of Norwich at Norwich Cathedral’s West Front.
The bridges of Norwich are historic, with amazing stories. On a ‘Bridges of Norwich’ walking tour (11th September, must be pre-booked) start at Norwich’s oldest remaining bridge – Bishop Bridge and end at New Mills.
And if like me you like to unravel a story, research Kett’s Rebellion, where Bishop Bridge played a big part, or read C J Sansom’s seventh medieval fictional novel Tombland, where the protagonist Matthew Shardlake gets drawn into the drama of Kett’s Rebellion. Or take a Paul Dickson ‘Shardlake’s Norwich’ tour (£12) to walk in the footsteps of real-life men and experience the area where the camp was set up.
With the opening of Phase II of Norwich Castle, the entrance has enabled Robert Kett’s memorial to be revealed again.
Carved into stone it reads, “In 1549 A D Robert Kett Yeoman farmer of Wymondham was executed by hanging in this castle after the defeat of the Norfolk Rebellion of which he was the leader.
In 1949 ̇A D four hundred years later this memorial was placed here by the citizens of Norwich in reparation and honour to a notable and courageous leader in the long struggle of the common people of England to escape from a servile life into freedom of just conditions’.
This leads nicely into the ‘City Walls and Statues’ Walking Tour taking place 12th September (pre-booking required).
This leads nicely into the ‘City Walls and Statues’ Walking Tour taking place 12th September (pre-booking required).
Tickets for Heritage Open Day tours are incredibly popular and get snapped up, so if you miss out don’t get too disheartened. First of all, note that bookings usually open mid-August, so pop this in your calendar for 2025. Secondly, there are lots of events that do not need pre-booking, they will mainly be entrance to buildings, but that said it doesn’t mean there are any less wonderful surprises.
One of the country’s longest running ironmongers (it opened in 1825) and one of Norwich’s best-loved shops – Thorns DIY – has something to reveal in the basement Tool department, go and take a look. At St Peter Mancroft see a collection of 400 silver spoons and other items dating from the Middle Ages to 19th century including some made by Norfolk craftsmen. And Bishops House Garden is open 11th – 12th September. If you have not been you will be amazed at what you find. It is glorious.
In addition to all of this, visit a museum. Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery will be open for free on 14th September, The Museum of Norwich on 13th and 14th and Strangers’ Hall on 11th and 15th.
And outside of Heritage Open Days, if you want even more history and stories, you can book wonderful tours with new tour guide Siv Sears of Norwich Story Walks. He describes his tours as, “where history meets eccentricity in a whirlwind of storytelling adventure. Step into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane transforms into the bizarre. Our guided tours blend fun, quirkiness, and informative narratives, promising an unforgettable journey through Norwich’s hidden histories.”
Siv’s Norwich Story Walks cost £10 per person and can be booked at norwichstorywalks.co.uk.
Finally, it’s last call for SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling at Norwich Castle. This incredible exhibition closes 22 September. Just ahead of this catch Amanda Geitner – curator, in two conversations. The first is Time spent in SUNLIGHT, Amanda Geitner in conversation with Jonathan P Watt, 14th September 2pm-3pm (adult £7.80, includes museum admission) and Time spent in SUNLIGHT, Amanda Geitner in conversation with Dean Hughes, 21 September 2pm-3pm (adult £7.80, includes museum admission).
Roger Ackling – who lived for some of his time in North Norfolk and who became a friend of Amanda – created some of the most amazing artworks. The works are beautiful in their simplicity yet powerful with stories beneath.
In the words of the Museums Service, “SUNLIGHT is the first major survey of the work of British artist Roger Ackling (1947-2014) and the most significant exhibition of his work to date. For 50 years, Ackling consistently made objects by burning wood – focussing sunlight through the lens of a hand-held magnifying glass to scorch repeated patterns of lines on the surface.
“SUNLIGHT will introduce Ackling’s work to a new generation of audiences, prompting important conversations about the status of the object, the significance of material, the processes of making and the transformative power of display.”
For ideas of where to shop, eat, stay and visit in Norwich and Norfolk, go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk