‘Nothing fills a hole like a Double Decker’

On Thursday 3 March 1988 a Number 26 bus fell into a hole in Earlham Road, Norwich, UK. The hole appeared around 120 yards (109 metres) from the North Porch of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. This event has sparked many myths around the site of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, and about purported chalk mines around and under the site.

This talk explains the reality behind the 'double decker' incident, and why there is no danger to the site of the Cathedral. The talk fits this, very modern, story into a wider discussion about the development of the site of the Cathedral from pastureland in the medieval period, through the construction of the city gaol there during the early nineteenth century, to the building of the Cathedral at the century's end, and onto the hazards of the twentieth century; which included both Luftwaffe bombs and modernist architects.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1300

Friday 19 September:

1300

Location & directions

Cathedral House, Unthank Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 2PA

Directions:

The Cathedral and Narthex main entrances are on Earlham Road, with a small car park to the West of the Cathedral (please note that the parking spaces immediately beside the Cathedral are permit holders only). The North Porch entrance to the Cathedral is adjacent to the steps leading up from the road. Level access to the Cathedral can be found via the main entrance to the Narthex at the top of this car park. A second small car park can be found on Unthank Road, next door to the Trinity United Reform Church and leads you through our garden and into the Narthex. From this car park you can also access the Parish Office in Cathedral House, next to the Sacristy. The Cathedral is a 10 minute walk from the centre of Norwich, with a footbridge over Grapes Hill or pedestrian crossings around Chapelfield Road. The number 25 and 26 network buses serve the bus stop outside the Cathedral.

Contact on day:

Heritage Officer

Telephone number:

+441603724381

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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