Become a Friend

Norwich Guildhall Tour

Thursday 10 October, 11.00am–Thursday 12 December, 11.00am

Norwich Guildhall

Book Now

Tickets: £5

Take a tour around England’s largest and most elaborate provincial medieval city hall.

Norwich Guildhall was the centre of city government from the early 15th century until its replacement by City Hall in 1938. As well as various courts, a prison and a chapel, the building contained facilities for accounting and tax collection, accommodation for civic officials (it remains the home of the Sheriff’s parlour today) and storage space for records, money and civic regalia. The Sheriff’s Court was designed for meetings of the full medieval Council and now contains a virtually intact late Victorian courtroom. The Council Chamber is more elaborate with oak panelling, renaissance decorative woodwork and stunning stained glass – designed to impress from the start. The undercroft, beneath the east end, pre-dates the building and is thought to be an original feature of the earlier toll-house on this site. It was used to accommodate more dangerous criminals. The exterior provides an excellent example of the flint work that the city is so famous for.

Having more recently hosted cafes, the tourist information centre and an escape room, the majority of the building currently acts as an office and home to Norfolk & Norwich Festival which has just celebrated its 250th anniversary.

These tours are delivered by guides from The Norwich Society.

Waiting list: Our tours can sell out quickly. Email boxoffice@nnfestival.org.uk (with your name, phone number and the number of tickets you would like) or give us a call on 01603 531800 to be added to the waiting list for any returns or to hear about future tour dates.

Important information

Venue: Norwich Guildhall

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Access: The tour takes you through the many spaces of Norwich Guildhall. There are a number of staircases throughout the building. To get to the crypt, you will need to descend a narrow, spiral staircase without a handrail. To enter the cells, you will need to descend a steep ramp. We ask that visitors use their own judgement on whether to enter a space.

Please Note: The building is a working office and home to Norfolk & Norwich Festival. There may be staff working while you are on your tour.

Tickets

Tickets: £5

Essential Companions: Any audience member requiring an essential carer/companion can get one free ticket. Relevant discounts or concessions still apply to the paid ticket.

Select a performance

Thursday

29 August

11:00 am

£5.00

Thursday

10 October

11:00 am

£5.00

Friday

25 October

11:00 am

£5.00

Friday

15 November

11:00 am

£5.00

Thursday

28 November

11:00 am

£5.00

Friday

6 December

11:00 am

£5.00

Thursday

12 December

11:00 am

£5.00

Arts make life better

Norfolk & Norwich Festival brings tens of thousands of people together in celebration – it has been doing this for 250 years. Through our May Festival and our year-round arts education work, focusing on children and young people, we lead and support celebration, creativity and curiosity in communities across Norfolk and the region.

This year we begin an exciting new initiative, Festival Connect & Create that will bring creative opportunities to those schools and communities with least provision. Creativity transforms people’s lives. It builds cohesive communities, develops vital skills and supports health and wellbeing. We want more people to have access to creative opportunities.

Please consider donating to support and develop this work. With your help we can increase access to the life changing power of the arts.

Registered Charity No. 116442

Amount to Donate £ 0
£