Norwich – My London+

Norwich – Part Four – more of the City

Norwich City Football Club

While my husband was still getting up on Monday morning, I nipped out for an early walk along the riverside towards Norwich City Football Club, which I knew wasn’t far. In fact, I’d looked at a hotel there originally, but decided if Norwich were playing at home, it wouldn’t be a peaceful stay! My ultimate choice was the best one all round, especially for location.

I’m not a Norwich City fan either. I’m a Spurs fan. Still, I do seem to like taking photos of footballs clubs when I’m nearby! The club is just off the river front and close to an interesting bridge.

Another view, just in case you missed the first!

View from a bridge. I’m assuming this might have been part of the original City walls, but I could find no information there.

The bridge, which I assume could rise (a bit like Tower Bridge) to admit tall craft. I’m not sure how often, if ever, it gets used today.

This is the building on the other side of the road.

And here is the bridge from the footpath

There are lots of old warehouses here. Some may have been turned into apartments, but others looked derelict. However, new building is taking over the City like everywhere else in the UK. During part of the walk, I had to come off the path due to building work.

Later in the morning we walked into the City and went through Castle Quarter Shopping Centre, one of many shopping malls in Norwich.

We were heading for the castle and museum. We already knew that the castle was closed as there is massive building works going on with a crane on site. The museum was still open, and I was hunting for some World War I medals which I’d found out they held and belonged to my grandmother’s cousin who died in France aged 19. It turned out they held quite a few, but they were not on display (though might have once been). To view them, I’d been to make an appointment for a private viewing. Time had run out on us, but it’s nice to know they are there.

There are lots of galleries to view in the museum, mainly nature, Norwich in the past and art galleries. I was elated to find an Edward Burne-Jones painting! And I loved the paintings of old Norwich.

View from the top

I was very disappointed that the Roman chariot ride was for children only. I really wanted a go on this interactive piece!

Edward Burne-Jones painting. A great find.

Norwich of old with the castle in the background

At the museum they also had an art exhibition by the Singh Twins. Anyone who watched Grayson Perry’s Art Club on TV during lockdown will know of them. Their work is very thought provoking and political. I loved it! Worth seeing, and despite the subject matter, very bright.

The Singh Twins

About the best view I could get of the castle (above). The photo above that is a typical street.

Our final walk was along the river using the same route we used on the first day, but further this time, and on the other side of the bank.

The Cow Tower from the other side of the River Wensum

The Cathedral

Along here too were new apartments and building was still going on.

We were in St James Quay for some of these photos.

Walking randomly (sort of!) you come across little gems. See photo below for description.

One of the many bridges across the river

In the middle of a green I came across this wonderful sculpture by Barbara Hepworth

This bridge is designed by Sir John Soane

My last photo. A very old building in the Creative Quarter of Norwich, not far from The Playhouse.

It had been quite a packed visit to Norwich, but an interesting one, full of variety. I still love the river walks best, though. Nice to get away from the busy centre of the City.

Norwich – Part 3 – The City

The Market

After visiting the Cathedral we found an excellent place for lunch close by. The Revelation is a former church which is now a wonderful cafe and Christian Book Shop. They had an extensive menu, friendly staff and space to relax away from the bustle of the City. Portion sizes were generous and afterwards I spent time browsing the bookshop, which had a large section of secondhand books. We actually set out to have lunch there again on the Monday, only to find this was a day they were shut.

The Revelation

I am not sure what this used to be, but these days it is a cafe/restaurant.

There is some nice architecture if you spend some time looking up.

City Hall

Art Deco City Hall

The Forum was where people were registering for the Norwich 10k run due to take place on the Sunday morning. We, meanwhile, were trying to find out where we could pick up our bus to take us to the wedding venue at lunchtime on Sunday. With roads closed and diversions in place, we decided it was easier to have a taxi, which we did.

Busy, busy, busy

The famous Norwich Union now known as Aviva.

The Norwich Union building

On the way back to our hotel we stopped off at an antique shop

Anglia TV and looking down Prince of Wales Road towards the countryside

Our hotel overlooking the River Wensum

On the day of the wedding it rained! However, we were lucky enough to have a sunny slot long enough for photos outside. In the morning, I had set off out into the rain to see the 10k participants running through the City. That uphill slog towards the castle would have killed me! I do hope they all made it safely.

Passing our hotel

Monday would be our final day in Norwich. There was still much to look forward to. The final part of this Norwich trip will be coming shortly.

Norwich Part 1 – Julian of Norwich and a little of the City

When my husband and I were invited to a wedding in Norwich (County of Norfolk), my first thought was a long weekend with time for sightseeing! And that’s the way it went.

We arrived on Friday in the early afternoon and stayed at a hotel overlooking the river, and a short walk into the city. I didn’t waste any time and was soon out exploring. I’d always wanted to see where the anchorite, Julian of Norwich had once lived. No, not at the cathedral, where you might think, but a tiny church near our hotel. There is a Julian Centre there (she has left a whole spiritual legacy). Although the cell where Julian live is no longer there, inside the church there is a shrine.

Lady Julian Bridge over the River Wensum

On Saturday morning, we headed into the city along by the river (the opposite direction to where I’d walked the previous afternoon). I have to say my favourite parts of Norwich were by the riverside. We were on the way to the Cathedral, and this was a much better route than walking through the busy city.

Pull’s Ferry the former ferry house was once a 15th Century watergate where stone for the cathedral made its journey along the river and into the city.

Cow Tower was another unexpected find in the gardens around the Cathedral Quarter of the City.

While you cannot go inside the tower, I could squeeze my camera through the gate!

Had a job getting the best photo of the Swan Pit as the sun was in my eyes. I managed to hide behind a bush! A swan pit was used to fatten up swans for human consumption. They were given to Kings, clerics and noblemen. This one stands in the grounds of the Great Hospital.

We then found ourselves at Norwich Historic Churches Trust where there was an art exhibition taking place. No longer used as a church, it hosts various events. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the stained glass windows.

The little garden is dedicated to people who have made a difference in Norwich.

The next post will take us into Norwich Cathedral which has a stunning beauty and stories of its own.