Dereham Assembly Rooms

The imposing brick building, which is not normally open to the public, was built shortly after Thomas Ivory remodelled the celebrated Assembly House in Norwich, and sixty years before a similar building was built in Swaffham. The Assembly Rooms provided a venue for fashionable gatherings (or ‘assemblies’) as well as for lectures, concerts, civic and local government, and for local societies. In later years, the building hosted County and Magistrates’ Courts and is now home to Dereham Town Council.

The Rooms were accessed through the side entrance topped by a fine iron fanlight. From this hall, a winding staircase led up to the Assembly Room itself. There was a gallery for an orchestra fronted with a wrought-iron balcony. The portrait of George III was given to the Assembly Rooms on the king’s birthday in 1765 by the Marquis of Townshend. He also gave a ‘noble and public entertainment with fireworks’ in recognition of the welcome and accommodation which had been given to the western battalion of the Norfolk Militia, which he commanded.

So, whether you imagine yourself as a magistrate, someone standing in the dock, a dashing member of the militia, or the belle of the ball, come along and see this splendid room.

Thank you to Dereham Town Council for facilitating the opening. A brief history of the rooms will be on sale.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

1000 - 1600

Saturday 19 September:

1000 - 1600

Location & directions

Dereham Assembly Rooms, Ruthen Place, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2TX

Directions:

The Assembly Rooms are in Dereham Market Place.

Contact on day:

Jane Heyburn

Telephone number:

+447858359261

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The Assembly Room itself is on the first floor. There is a chair lift from the ground floor to the first floor. There is a large free car park adjacent to the Cherry Tree pub on the other side of the Market Place. There is also short term parking in the Market Place.

Additional information

Dereham has a wealth of coffee shops etc providing refreshments throughout the day.

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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