Norwich has intriguing
cobble streets, interesting alleyways and historic sights such as
the Castle and Cathedral,
all within easy reach of one another, making it an easy and enjoyable
city to explore on foot.
 CITY
WALK 1 - Cathedral and Castle Walk
This walk incorporates all the well-known places of interest in
the city centre and takes about 1 ½ hours – longer
if you stop and visit any of the historic buildings en route.
The walk starts at the main steps of the City Hall, overlooking
the market with the 12th century Castle
in the background. Once through the graveyard of St Peter Mancroft
Church, turn left into Gentleman’s Walk. Cross over the pedestrianised
street (which is one of the city’s busiest) and walk through
the Royal Arcade. Turn left along Castle
Street and you will catch a glimpse of the Castle
on your right. From Castle
Street you will come to London Street which you follow until you
come to a pedestrian crossing. Continue straight over, along Queen
Street, turning left at the end of the street into Tombland.
When you reach the Edith Cavell Memorial use the pedestrian crossing
to enter Cathedral
Close through the Erpingham
Gate. Turn right by the statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was
born at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk in 1758. Walk down the path, across
the Upper Close, and follow the road to the left through the Lower
Close to Pull’s Ferry, a 15th Century arch and house marking
the point where the canal met the River Wensum.
Take a left past playing fields of Norwich
School. Cross Bishopgate and go through the car park of the public
house to the Cow Tower. Follow the footpath and branch off to the
left to the Adam and Eve, one of England’s oldest pubs, dating
in part to 1247. Carry on and cross over Bishopgate with the flint
wall of the Close on your left. Carry on along Palace Street and
cross Tombland at the Maid’s Head Hotel.
Veer right along Wensum Street to Elm Hill, which is a quaint and
picturesque part of the City. Turn left up Elm Hill’s cobbled
street to Prince’s Street and turn right. Carry on and cross
St George’s Street and use the pedestrian crossing on St Andrew’s
Street, turning right past St Andrew’s Church and then left
into Bridewell Alley. Cross over Bedford Street, up Swan Lane and
into London Street.
Turn right to complete the walk at Guildhall, which is an ornate
building dating from the early 15th Century and was the seat of
government in Norwich for five centuries.
CITY
WALK 2 - A Medieval Walk
This route takes you alongside part of the ancient City wall as
well as the old manufacturing area of King Street. En route you
pass the Music House, as well as Norwich
Union’s grand architectural building in Surrey Street. Allow
approximately 1 ½ hours.
The walk begins at the steps at the rear of the market, with the
City Hall directly behind. Walk down the steps, keeping to the right
of the market stalls. Cross over Gentleman’s Walk and into
Royal Arcade, which dates from 1899. Turn right out of the Royal
Arcade and into White Lion Street, following the road round to a
pedestrian crossing on Red Lion Street. Carry on up Timberhill,
which was once the site of a timber market, a now pedestrianised
walkway with shops on either side.
Once past the Church of St John Timberhill go over the first pedestrian
crossing and turn left and over the second. Carry along Ber Street
until at the top of Thorn Lane and descend into Rouen Road and cross
over. Turn right and then left into St Julian’s Alley, continuing
until into King Street, a once thriving manufacturing area. Continue
to the right along King Street and you will come to the Music House,
a whitewashed flint house which is the oldest domestic house in
Norwich, dating from about 1175 AD.
Carry on past the Ferry Boat Pub until you reach the newly constructed
Novi sad Friendship Bridge. Turn right to cross Rouen Road and then
left until you come across steps to your right. Climb this steep
flight of steps to see the ancient ruins of the city’s former
defences. Walk along the path alongside the battlements to Carrow
Hill and turn right into Bracondale. Carry along Bracondale and
into Ber Street and then take a turn left into Finklegate, following
the path beside Notre Dame High School into Surrey Street. To your
left will be a row of restored Victorian houses and, just beyond,
is one of Norwich Union’s
offices, Sentinel House, a fairly modern building with a distinctive
spire.
Continue along Surrey Street, cross over at the traffic lights
and you will pass a six storey group of town houses which were built
in 1761 by Thomas Ivory. Next you will pass Norwich
Bus Station and further down on the right is probably one of Norwich
Union’s most impressive buildings, built in 1903. Designed
by George Skipper, its magnificent interior uses many types of marble.
This completes the medieval walk around Norwich.
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