Norwich is steeped in history. Before the Romans invaded Iron Age Britain in AD 43, Norfolk had been the territory of the Iceni people. The most famous leader of this tribe, Boudicca, led an unsuccessful revolt against the Roman occupation in around AD 60. Following her defeat, the Romans inhabited the area for more than 300 years.
The local capital became Venta Icenorum, on the River Tas (South Norfolk), just to the south of the present day city. After the Romans, Venta Icenorum was abandoned and a new town grew up on the River Wensum – north of Venta Icenorum. There were scattered settlements, but at the centre was Tombland. Today, Wensum Street runs from Tombland to Fye Bridge – the ancient river crossing to ‘Norwich over the water’ – one of the settlements here on the north bank was ‘Norwic’, known now as Norwich.
The Cathedral and its Close contain some wonderful buildings ...
... with a statue of Wellington at one end ...
... and a statue of Nelson at the other
Norwich is also the home of Colman's Mustard. Colman was a Victorian philanthropist who, somewhat similar to Cadbury in Bournville, set up a business and a community for his workforce - interestingly including a hockey team in Lakenham. Today the Mustard Museum and Shop can be found in the Royal Arcade near Norwich Market. The shop is a careful replica of a Victorian trade premises. It was opened in 1973 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of J & J Colman's. The Colman's Mustard Shop & Museum was intended to be open for one year but it was so successful and popular it continued
This is the Cow Tower - along the Riverside Walk, in the water meadow once known as Cowholme; hence its name. It is one of the earliest purpose-built artillery blockhouses in England. It was built between 1398 and 1399 by the city authorities in response to the threat from France and indigenous English rebels.
The tower was intended to defend the north-eastern approach to Norwich with hand cannons and bombards. It stood apart from the main city walls, close to the river where its height would have allowed it to fire onto the higher ground opposite the city. The tower was designed to hold a garrison when required and was well furnished, probably using different floors for dining and sleeping
Continuing on our tour of the city we came to the Great Hospital at Bishopgate.
It is an Almshouse founded in 1249 by Bishop Walter de
Suffield that has cared for the citizens of Norwich for over 750 years. The group of buildings includes a church, cloister,
medieval refectory, and a Victorian hall. It is the only surviving medieval
hospital to have its entire records in tact since its foundation in 1249. In
the middle ages the Great Hospital was one of about 300 such hospitals in
England in the middle ages.
For further details click on the link The Great Hospital
To the west of the city centre we came across this little gem - a haven of peace and tranquility
This is a 3 acre Grade II English Heritage registered garden established over 100 years ago in an abandoned chalk quarry, 600 yards from the city centre. It is one of Norwich's great treasures. It has a huge gothic fountain, flower beds, lawns, Italianate terrace, 'Medieval' terrace wall, woodland walkways, 10 metre long Victorian-style greenhouse and a rustic bridge - what more could you want?
In 1856, a prosperous upholsterer and cabinet maker living in Norwich,
took a long lease on an industrial site just outside the old City walls. His
name was Henry Trevor, and for the next forty years, he spent considerable sums
of money and much effort transforming a chalk quarry into a magical garden.
For further details of this splendid secret garden click on the link Plantation Garden
Continuing our circuit of the city, here are some views of the River Wensum
Our main reason for visiting Norwich was to go to the 60th Royal Norfolk Show at Costessey.
We saw ...
... Heavy Horses
... The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team
... they didn't quite land on a sixpence - but it was pretty close!
... Showjumping
... Scurry Driving
... and even a Trigpoint! For Triggy fans, the Flush Bracket number is S5280 and it is ranked joint 8248 in the Triggy Charts (so not one of the country's finest!)
