Overlooking the Market Place are the old and new seats of local government -
the flint Guildhall (on the right) and City Hall.

The Guildhall is a large complex building, reflecting the status of Norwich at the time of building (1410) when the city was amongst the largest and wealthiest cities in England. Its many rooms included council chambers as well as justice courts with the accompanying prison cells. The current City Hall was built in 1938.

When the Normans arrived in 1066, Norwich was one of the largest towns in the country. From the Domesday Book we know that when they built the castle and its earthworks they demolished at least 90 Anglo-Saxon houses and several churches to clear the space needed.
The castle still dominates the city centre today.

On rare ocassions you may see the Lord Mayor using the Lord Mayors Coach, presented by Sir Eustace Gurney to the city in 1911.

Copyright © Ken Ward 2004
Photographs Copyright © Ken Ward 2004 (unless otherwise stated)
Last Updated: 08 November 2004