King Street History walk

Join us for a guided walk exploring the chequered past of one of Norwich’s most ancient thoroughfares. We’ll travel from the 12th-century Music House to the industrial edge of Rose Lane, unearthing the human stories hidden behind the flint and brick.

King Street has always been a place of extremes. You’ll hear about the wealthy merchants like Robert Toppes, the 15th-century entrepreneur who built the magnificent Dragon Hall to showcase his riches, and Jurnet the Jew, one of the wealthiest men in 12th-century England. Nestled among these sites of commerce is the church housing the cell of Julian of Norwich, the world-renowned mystic and the first woman to write a book in the English language, who offered a voice of hope from her stone anchorhold during a time of plague and unrest.

But this wasn't just a street for the elite. We’ll delve into the lives of those in poverty on the street once known as ‘Hard up street’, from the people crammed into the subdivided "slums" of the yards to the workers at the breweries and factories on the street.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

1030

Monday 14 September:

1030

Thursday 17 September:

1400

Location & directions

168 King Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1QH

Directions:

Meet on the pavement at the entrance to the site of Wensum Lodge. (The iron gates beside Music house). Music House is the large pink building. 169 King street.

Contact on day:

Mrs Nikki Morris

Telephone number:

+447931429578

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

If you can no longer fulfil your booking, please cancel this by emailing [email protected] at least 48hrs in advance of the booked event to provide others with the opportunity to attend.

Booking contact name:

The Forum

Booking website:

https://norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com/

Booking opens:

26 Aug 2026 10:00 AM

Booking closes:

11 Sep 2026 03:00 PM

Accessibility details

The walk is along a public road which, although quiet, does still have traffic. There are pavements but some uneven surfaces can be expected. It is not possible to park in King Street but there are a number of public car parks nearby - the nearest being in Rose Lane and Riverside.

Additional information

This is a walk giving information about buildings of historic interest in King Street. It is a public street, so seating, toilet and refreshment facilities are limited. There are cafes and a couple of pubs in King Street.

Max number of people:

15

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

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