Norwich Quaker Meeting House — it’s our bicentenary!
Quaker Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1EW
The first Quaker Meetings for Worship took place in the open air, and were continued in the dungeons of Norwich Gaol in the 17th century.
By 1679 the first Meeting House was built on Goat Lane, and Quakers had become almost respectable! Though banned from political office, higher education and many professions, Quakers went into equitable trades and banking, so by 1826 Quakers were sufficiently successful to build the grand Grade II* listed neoclassical building that stands today.
In 1700 there were probably 500 Quakers in Norwich and in the early part of the nineteenth century, Norfolk Quakers like Joseph Gurney, his sister Elizabeth Fry and their Anglican brother-in-law Thomas Buxton were nationally conspicuous social reformers. For both these reasons, the Goat Lane Meeting House has exceptional historical value.
Between the 13th and 20th of September 2026 there will be exhibitions, concerts and talks – where Quakers will bring our history to life and our Meeting House users groups take ‘centre stage’ with performances in our historic Large Meeting Room. On Saturday 19th September and we are delighted to introduce Alison Dow who will be presenting a talk “From abolition to the Vote – the role played by the Women of Norfolk” at 1pm.
There may be a few surprises: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GQDAs6lkjdA
More details on our website: https://www.norwichquakers.org.uk/post/bicentenary
Timings
- Sunday 13 September:
- Sunday: Bicentennial Launch (Quaker attenders only celebration)
- Monday 14 September:
- 10:00–15:00
- Tuesday 15 September:
- 10:00–15:00
- Wednesday 16 September:
- 10:00–15:00 and 19:30 Evening Concert with Singing with Soul
- Thursday 17 September:
- CLOSED
- Friday 18 September:
- 10:00–15:00
- Saturday 19 September:
- 10:00–15:00 Heritage Open Day. Free Talk at 13.00 with Alison Dow
- Sunday 20 September:
- Sunday: Bicentennial Close Let's Play Piano 14:00 –16.30 free today to first time visitors
Location & directions
Quaker Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1EW
- Directions:
- Directions: Please use public parking unless you require disabled parking. Limited availability on site. To get to the Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane, the one-way system means that when you come off the Grapes Hill roundabout (at the first exit after Grapes Hill) you take the second left into Willow Lane (there's a second hand bookshop on the corner), then down the hill to Micawber's Tavern pub on the right where you turn right into Pottergate. Drive along Pottergate, turning right into Upper Goat Lane shortly after the small Pay and Display carpark. The Meeting House car park is 15 yards up the road on the right but places are limited. what3words: spun.silent.slot
- Contact on day:
- Ruth Murray: [email protected]
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Please use public parking unless you require disabled parking. Limited availability on site. The downstairs Large Meeting House and the Long Room are accessible for wheelchair users but not the upstairs Gallery or Small Meeting House.
Additional information
At 13:00 on Saturday 19th September we have a talk from Alison Dow "From Abolition to the Vote – the role played by the women of Norfolk" No booking required. We hope to have some activities for children. tbc
