Norwich has adark side.
Not ghost stories. The real thing. Riot, rebellion, murder, fire, flood and plague, told where it happened. Free to book, pay what it was worth.
This Halloween, skip the ghosts. The true history is darker.
Featured on
- Time
- 6pm
- How long
- 1h 30m
- Start
- City Hall steps
- Finish
- Tombland Alley
- Price
- Free to book, pay what it was worth
Why come on this walk.
It starts on the City Hall steps, with the days Norwich turned on itself: the riot of 1272, John Gladman's insurrection and Robert Kett. Then round to the Guildhall for Martha Sheward, Cecily Ormes and Thomas Bilney.
Up the Davey Place steps to the Whiffler Theatre for Martha Alden. Through the castle ditches to the Shirehall for Robert Goodale. Down to a flint wall by the Bridewell for Jane Sellers. On the way, Opie Street: a street of several names, none of them polite.
Over the cobbles of Elm Hill for fire and flood, and a body that went missing at Wrights Court. Past the Cathedral for Thomas Erpingham and Thomas Tunstall. And last, Tombland Alley: Walter Eghe, and the plague girl.
What this walk is.
Meet on the City Hall steps and follow us into the Norwich the postcards leave out. Down the Davey Place steps, through the old castle ditches, along a lane by the Bridewell and over the cobbles of Elm Hill, stopping where the city's darkest days actually happened.
Riots that turned the city on itself. Rebellion. Murder. A street with several names, a body that went missing, fire and flood on Elm Hill. This is real Norwich history, the side most visitors never hear.
It isn't a ghost walk and nobody jumps out at you. It's the true dark side of Norwich, told where it happened, and it ends in Tombland Alley with the plague girl.
The walk
The walk, and what you get.
- 01
City Hall steps · the Guildhall
The 1272 riot, John Gladman's insurrection and Robert Kett. Then Martha Sheward, Cecily Ormes and Thomas Bilney at the Guildhall.
- 02
Whiffler Theatre · Shirehall · Opie Street · the Bridewell
Martha Alden, Robert Goodale and Jane Sellers, plus Opie Street, a street of several names.
- 03
Elm Hill · Wrights Court · the Cathedral · Tombland Alley
Fire and flood on Elm Hill, the missing body, Thomas Erpingham and Thomas Tunstall, Walter Eghe, and finally the plague girl.
Stop by stop.
- 1City Hall stepsRiotous city stories: 1272, John Gladman's insurrection and Robert Kett
- 2Bassingham Gate, the GuildhallMartha Sheward
- 3The bottom of the GuildhallCecily Ormes and Thomas Bilney
- 4Whiffler Theatre, Castle MeadowMartha Alden
- 5The Shirehall, through the castle ditchesRobert Goodale
- 6Opie StreetA street of several names
- 7Flint wall by the Museum of Norwich at the BridewellJane Sellers
- 8The Strangers Club, Elm HillFire and flood
- 9Wrights Court, Elm HillThe missing body
- 10Norwich CathedralThomas Erpingham and Thomas Tunstall
- 11Tombland AlleyWalter Eghe, and finally the plague girl
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