Reinterred: Norwich Nooks and Crannies Walk

Today we had an interesting and historical meander around the centre of Norwich.

It was based on a leaflet Norwich Nooks and Crannies. As the introduction says... "The centre of Norwich is a fascinating place to explore on foot. Its historic pattern of streets is enriched by a world of hidden alleys, courts and lanes. As people packed into the area within the city walls, land behind the main streets was developed with warrens of homes and businesses.

Some have survived into modern times. Most of them come with a story – some of which are retold in ‘Norwich’s nooks and crannies’. The stories range from a man who was determined to recreate Elizabethan theatre in his home; the Morris dancing actor who won his bet with Shakespeare; a hidden stream that fed the horses in the inns behind the market place and a wild boy who was a princess’ pet.

This leaflet’s three walks take you on a journey of discovery as they guide you round the city’s historic passageways. Each walk starts and finishes in the market place – the bustling heart of the city for more than 900 years. The entire route meanders around the city centre in a series of loops without ever crossing the same point twice."

This was Joyce's invite. "Tuesday October 31st. The Nooks + Crannies walk in Norwich. I have put all 3 walks together to make a 6.5 mile walk with lots of twist and turns. I am going to park at Waverley Road (near Notcutts) NR4 6SG and walk the extra 1.5 miles into the City for a meet up at The Forum for 10.30am.You can travel by train of course or Park N Ride. After a coffee we will start the walk. There will be a visit to the extraordinary Plantation Gardens. Please bring lunch with you. It will be a relaxing day in a very fine city. "

I left my phone in the car so didn't track our walk but this was Joyce's map of the planned route.

There were 9 of us in all and we started by having coffee at The Forum. We had a couple of showers through the day, but also a bit of sunshine and we didn't get too wet. I attempted to photograph everything along the way - you cans see the result in my Flickr Album here and view them alongside the description in the leaflets.

Here is a selection of my photos.

Leaving the Forum. We were joined today for the first time by Sarah, who several of us had walked with at the Suffolk Walking Festival this year, and Alicia who had found us via the blog. Welcome to both!

"The Maddermarket was the area where components for the dying trade were sold. All the bollards in this area are red because the madder plant produces a red dye. Some have bronze finials with links to past people and events."

"St John Maddermarket, was rebuilt in the 14th century with a tower that flies over the alley. The church roof had to be replaced in 1876 after the vicar hunted for a gas leak with a lit taper in his hand."

Well I could continue in similar vein but that would lead to a very long post. So instead here are just a few highlights.

Periodically we would stop and Joyce would read from the leaflet.

We crossed and recrossed the Rive Wensum several times. There wasn't much wind today so we got some good reflections from the water.

It is Halloween tonight.

Comedy Alley

We agreed this looked like a good place for a drink.

We passed this mural.

Her is Pam taking its photgraph.

A first view of the Cathedral.

We've spotted this Gogo Hare here before.

It used to be said there was a pub for every day in the year in Norwich. We certainly passed a few today. This was round the back of the Ribs of Beef on Friar's Quay.

The Crooked House in Tombland Alley.

Joyce telling us about the Erpingham Gate we had just gone through.

The guide at the entrance to Cathedral Close told us that the statues of Nelson and Wellington are at opposite ends with their backs to each other as they never spoke to each other.

We admired the flint wall facing St. Andrew's church here.

Peter the Wild Boy, a feral child found in a German forest in about 1725 and kept as a curiosity by Caroline, Princess of Wales. In 1751 when his celebrity had waned he arrived in Norwich and was briefly imprisoned in the Bridewell under suspicion of being a Spanish spy.