Norwich Riverside Walk
Norwich Riverside Walk
A simple 2 mile walk alongside the River Wensum through Norwich.
This picturesque walk through the centre of Norwich links the Marriott's Way at Barn Road roundabout on the inner ring road with The Wherryman's Way and Boudicca Way at Norwich Railway Station.
Essential Information
Walk Statistics:
Total Walk distance: 2 miles
Walk difficulty: Easy
Maps:
OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 237 Norwich
OS Route Map: Available here
Google Route Map: Available here
GPX file for walk: Available here
Walk Data
Date of Walk: 2012-03-28
Start Time: 16:00:00.0Z
End time: 17:00:00.0Z
Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
Weather Conditions: Warm and sunny spring day
Equipment: none
Start Time: 16:00:00.0Z
End time: 17:00:00.0Z
Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
Weather Conditions: Warm and sunny spring day
Equipment: none
Walk Notes ToC
Despite having worked in Norwich for the past four years, and crossing the Wensum every working day I had never walked the length of the river side path until this fine and abnormally warm spring day of 2012.
On this particular occasion we did not visit a pub, though there are some highly recommended establishments along the route serving some fine examples of Norfolks many and varied microbreweries. I will have to mention The Kings Head, just off route on Magdalen Street which always has an ever changing selection of up to 14 local ales and a personal favourite drinking hole in Norwich.
This walk can be treated as a circular walk as there are paths on both sides of the river for the majority of the route. Probably most notable thing throughout the entire route are the numerous bridges and the many historic buildings including the New Mills Pumping station which is the site of the old New Mills Corn mill, the former Bullards Brewery building, St Andrew’s Hall, the Victorian yarn mill, the Cow Tower and Pulls Ferry.
Pulls Ferry
Directions ToC
There are footpaths on both banks of the River Wensum for the majority of the distance through Norwich
Marriotts Way to Wherrymans Way
From the roundabout, on the city side of the road, there is a footpath that leads down alongside the river. Keep to this, past the former New Mills pumping station, Coslany Street Bridge and onto duke Street bridge. Turn left and cross the road and go around the back of the Travelodge and through to St Georges Street Bridge, cross the bridge and find an arch on the left between the Technical College and St Andrews Hall which leads through the former Blackfriars monastery grounds. Keep to the left and follow the path back to the riverside with the splendid medieval Georgian buildings on Elm Hill on the right. Continue onto Fye Bridge where the path emerges by the side of the Ribs of Beef pub. Fye Bridge is said to be the oldest river crossing in Norwich and the site of a roman ford. Cross the road and continue along Quay Side to Whitefriars Bridge. Cross the road and keep to the riverside path with a large Victorian Yarn mill on the opposite side which was originally the grounds to Whitefriars monastery. The path follows the river past the historic 12th century Cow Tower to Bishops Bridge. From here take the alley which eventually comes out at Pulls Ferry where the lane leads up to the Cathedral. From Pull’s Ferry the path continues along the riverside and crosses the terrace of the Complete Angler pub next to the Prince of Wales Road bridge with the railway station on the opposite side. This marks the start to both the Wherrymans Way to Great Yarmouth and The Boudicca Way to Diss.
Wherrymans Way to Marriott's Way
The reverse direction can be walked along the opposite bank for most of the river.
On the left St. Miles Coslany Bridge; On the right Fye Bridge
Pubs ToC
The Kings Head, Magdalen Street, Norwich View in OS Map | View in Google Map
Website: http://www.kingsheadnorwich.com/
This pub has been restored to a basic Victorian style bar and lounge and offers up to fourteen real local ales on tap and up to four more on stillage available, as well as a wide selection of Trappist and Belgian beers.
Whitefriars Bridge
Features ToC
The Legend of Old Blunderhazzard View in OS Map | View in Google Map
Standing on the north easterly tip of what used to be known as Cowsholm, at a bend in the river Wensum is an ancient structure commonly known as the Cow Tower. The name probably originates from the 11th century when the area was a marshy cow pasture. It was originally built as a tollgate for the river and also used as a prison before falling into disuse when a new tollhouse was built. In 1378 it was conveyed to the city in a ruinous state, and completely rebuilt in 1390 when it was known as the Dungeon. This was probably incorporated into the city defences although there is no record of such or of its function from that period on.
On the opposite side of the river to the Cow Tower is an area of Norwich beyond the city walls called Pockthorpe which contained within it the monastery of White Friars, founded by William de Cowgate, in 1268. The manor house at Pockthorpe was known by both Monks Grange and Lathes Yard and after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 the land passed into private hands. In 1551 the lease was passed to William Blennerhassett and stayed in the Blennerhassett family name until 1702. During this period the name of the manor house at Monks Grange came to be known as Hassetts Hall and the Cow Tower as Hassetts Tower, although the reason for such is not known, maybe the family were entrusted to it, or maybe some family members even lived within it but there is no record of this. Hassetts Hall was said to be a brick building with a court-yard before it and a flight of stone steps up to the door and the whole grounds surrounded by a large walled garden. These buildings, together with Pockthorpe gate and the city walls were demolished in 1792 when they were replaced by the Cavalry Barracks which covered ten acres of land surrounded by a large brick wall. The barracks lasted until 1973 when the land was redeveloped as housing with a small section of the original wall incorporated into the corner of Barrack street and Gurney Road.
Hassetts Hall was reputed to be haunted and after it had been demolished, soldiers recuperating in the Barracks hospital, which stood on the site of the old manor house, would tell tales of being disturbed by strange apparitions during the night. The house was also supposed to have had a closet which had never been opened, and no one knew what was behind the doors of two rooms which had been plastered up, legend stating that any attempt to open them would result in the perpetrator being struck blind, with the testament of two such people who had suffered such a fate.
Probably the more renowned tale that came out of Hassett Hall was that of the Old Man Hassett. To what family member this reference was made is unclear, but the tale related to the ghostly apparition of Old Man frequently riding his coach and four horses over Bishopgate and over the tops of houses. It was said that the coachman and horses were all without heads, and when the whip was cracked, flashes of fire came out which illuminated the whole city. A similar story stated that 'Old Blunderhazard' would be seen each Christmas eve, just before midnight, in a coach and six headless horses flashing fire from their nostrils, on his journey to visit Hassett's Tower at Norwich, and to return to Barsham in Suffolk before 'he may snuff the morning air'. It is never made clear exactly how headless horses can flash fire from their nostrils!
It is uncertain where and when the tales originated though it is known that a relative also with the name Blennerhassett resided at Barsham Hall, near Beccles in Suffolk. A good piece of detective work was undertaken by Ivan Bunn and his findings were published in The Lantern, the Borderline Science Investigation Group monthly publication from the late 1970's. This suggests that this legend could emanate from Thomas Blennerhasset(b.c1546 d.1599), the son of John Blennerhassett from Barsham although this is only speculation based on the fact that his last will and testament left a coach and horses to his wife. Quite why such a legend should come about is open to conjecture and speculation; maybe he was a bit of a tyrant, maybe there is some tragic deed or untimely death which sentenced Old Blunderhazard to his eternal journey.
The Wensum Bridges View in OS Map | View in Google Map
The bridges that span the Wensum through Norwich are steeped in history. Starting from the Marriots Way end and heading to the Railway Station there are seven bridges in total.
Standing next the old Bullards 'Anchor' brewery is St. Miles Coslany Bridge, which is the oldest cast iron bridge in Norwich, built in 1804 when it replaced a c16th century stone bridge.
The modern Duke Street Bridge which was installed in 1972 when the road was widened, the previous cast iron bridge dating from 1822 now forms an arch to the entrance for the Castle Mall car park in the city centre.
Blackfriars Bridge, named after the order of monks who settled in the area, was built in 1783 and replaced a three arch stone bridge of 1586 which itself replaced a timber bridge from the 15th century.
The current Fye Bridge by the side of the Ribs of Beef pub was constructed in 1933 but records of a bridge on this site date back to 1132 with evidence of a crossing point during Saxon times.
Whitefriars Bridge was opened in 1925 with the first bridge on this site dating back to 1106 when it was known as St. Martins Bridge. The original timber bridge was swept away in a flood during the 13th century. This was rebuilt and lasted until the mid 16th century when the Earl of Warwick ordered its destruction to prevent the rebels, led by Robert Kett and protesting against the land enclosures, from entering the city. It was eventually rebuilt as a stone structure in 1591 and this lasted until the start of the 20th century when it had to be pulled down due to river widening, and replaced by the present bridge.
Peter's Bridge is a new footbridge opened in January 2012 and is named after the former Jarrolds chairman Peter Jarrold.
Bishop's Bridge is the only surviving medieval bridge in the city, built in 1340 and originally part of Norwich's defensive walls but even this is predated by an older timber bridge. This was the first stone bridge to be constructed in Norwich and was part of the city’s defensive walls, originally with three fortified arches and a large gatehouse at the western end.
Foundry Bridge was opened in 1888 and gains it's name from the foundry which used to stand just downstream of it.
On the left The Cow Tower; On the right Bishop's Bridge
Links and Bibliography ToC
External Information:
Images ToC
Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. There are links to the entire photo album plus a slideshow of all the images. Feel free to browse through these.
View complete photo album
3 comments:
Wonderful city. But I am biased.
Great blog post.
Since you seem to be very well informed, can I ask what are those stone arches (or part of walls, I am not sure what they really are...) that are visible on Barn Road, a little after the retail part that is there. The arches are very near the traffic lights (they stand on your left, if you are waiting at the traffic lights to turn right and get on Dereham Road, I hope you know which ones I am on about).
I see them daily and wander what part of what structure from when are they, but cant find anything on the internet. Thanks :-)
I believe these are parts of the old City Wall and date from the 14th century. The City wall protected the south and west side of the city whilst the river offered protection for the north and east sides. There are other sections of the old wall still visible, notably the section by the St Stephens Street roundabout. I have found an interesting hand drawn map of the old city gates at http://www.georgeplunkett.co.uk/Norwich/Drawings/Citywallsandtowers00.jpg
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