Norwich’s Hidden Medieval Churches
Norwich has more medieval churches within its city walls than London, York, or Bristol—over 30, representing one of Europe’s finest collections of medieval church architecture. Yet many visitors focus only on Norwich Cathedral and perhaps one or two famous churches like St Andrew’s and St Peter Mancroft, missing the extraordinary variety and beauty of Norwich’s ecclesiastical heritage.
This guide reveals Norwich’s medieval churches beyond the cathedral, explaining their significance, revealing hidden gems, and showing how to experience this remarkable collection without spending a fortune.
Why Norwich Has So Many Churches
Norwich’s extraordinary collection of medieval churches reflects the city’s medieval wealth and importance. In the Middle Ages, Norwich was England’s second city after London, with a thriving wool trade and substantial population. Each parish, guild, and religious order wanted its own church, leading to a density of ecclesiastical building unmatched elsewhere in Britain.
The result is a city where you can walk from church to church, each representing a different aspect of medieval architecture and piety—from wealthy city churches to modest parish churches, from grand guild halls to intimate chapels. Many remain in active use, preserving their continuity of worship across centuries.
Norwich’s Medieval Churches: A Quick Guide
Norwich’s medieval churches fall into several categories:
Great City Churches: Large, wealthy churches built by prosperous parishes and guilds. Examples: St Andrew’s, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles.
Parish Churches: Smaller churches serving specific neighbourhoods. Examples: St John Timberhill, St Julian’s, St Clement’s.
Friary Churches: Churches attached to religious orders (mostly dissolved at the Reformation). Examples: Blackfriars (now in ruins), Whitefriars.
Chapels and Small Churches: Intimate spaces for specific uses. Examples: St Martin at Palace (chapel), St Saviour’s.
Converted Churches: Churches that now serve secular purposes but retain medieval fabric. Examples: St John the Baptist (now the Adam and Eve pub), St James (now a theatre).
The Essential Churches to Visit
1. Norwich Cathedral
Yes, the cathedral is the city’s most famous church, but it’s also its most spectacular. Built between 1096 and 1145, it’s one of England’s finest Romanesque cathedrals, with later Gothic additions.
What makes the cathedral special is its completeness and grandeur. The nave is England’s largest (after Canterbury), the cloisters are England’s second-largest (after Salisbury), and the spire is England’s second-tallest (after Salisbury). The cathedral houses spectacular medieval stained glass, particularly in the Presbytery.
Address: 65 The Close, NR1 4DH
Opening: Daily 7:30am-6:30pm (services may restrict access)
Cost: £8 adult, £6 concession, £4 child
What to expect: Spectacular nave, beautiful cloisters, excellent medieval glass. Allow 1-2 hours.
Highlight: The cloisters are particularly peaceful and beautiful, especially in autumn when the leaves change colour.
2. St Andrew’s Hall
St Andrew’s Hall is one of England’s largest and finest medieval parish churches. Built in the 15th century by the Guild of St Andrew, it’s a spectacular example of late Perpendicular Gothic architecture.
What makes St Andrew’s special is its scale and light. The building is huge—a cathedral-sized space that once hosted guild meetings and civic ceremonies. The interior is flooded with light, creating a sense of space and serenity unusual in medieval churches.
Address: St Andrew’s Plain, NR2 4AE
Opening: Daily 9am-5pm (may close for events)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to expect: Spectacular interior, regular concerts and events. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Historical significance: The guild that built St Andrew’s was wealthy and powerful. Their church reflected their status and influence in medieval Norwich.
3. St Peter Mancroft
St Peter Mancroft is Norwich’s “cathedral of the city”—a massive medieval church that was intended to become Norwich’s cathedral before the existing one was built. It’s one of England’s finest parish churches, with a spectacular interior and exterior.
What makes St Peter Mancroft special is its completeness. The church has a magnificent tower, beautiful medieval glass, and an interior that feels more like a cathedral than a parish church. The exterior, with its flint-and-chequer stone pattern, is particularly beautiful.
Address: St Peter’s Street, NR2 1NH
Opening: Daily 10am-4pm (check for services)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to expect: Spectacular interior, beautiful exterior. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Architectural note: The flint-and-chequer stonework (alternating knapped flint and squared stone) is a Norwich speciality, creating distinctive patterns across the city’s churches.
4. St Giles
St Giles is one of Norwich’s most beautiful medieval churches, located near the market place at the heart of the city. Built in the 14th century, it’s a magnificent example of late Gothic architecture with a particularly beautiful tower and interior.
What makes St Giles special is its completeness and accessibility. The church has been carefully restored over the years, preserving its medieval fabric while adapting for modern use. The interior is beautifully lit, with excellent medieval glass and a spectacular hammerbeam roof.
Address: St Giles’ Street, NR2 1JL
Opening: Daily 10am-4pm (check for services)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to expect: Beautiful interior, excellent glass, atmospheric. Allow 30 minutes.
Market connection: The church’s location near the market reflects its role serving Norwich’s commercial heart.
5. St John Timberhill
St John Timberhill is a hidden gem of a church—small, intimate, and atmospheric. Located south of the city centre, it’s easily missed by visitors focused on the main churches, yet it’s one of Norwich’s most charming medieval spaces.
What makes St John Timberhill special is its intimacy and sense of timelessness. The church is relatively small, creating a cozy, contemplative atmosphere. The interior is beautiful, with excellent medieval glass and a sense of continuity across centuries.
Address: St John’s Alley, NR2 1JQ
Opening: Daily 10am-4pm (check for services)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to expect: Intimate, atmospheric interior. Allow 20-30 minutes.
Hidden gem status: Few tourists visit St John Timberhill, making it a peaceful place to experience medieval Norwich without crowds.
Hidden Gems: Churches Most Visitors Miss
6. St Julian’s Church
St Julian’s is a tiny, intimate church on a backstreet in the city centre. Built in the 14th century, it’s named after St Julian of Norwich, a medieval mystic and anchoress who lived in a cell attached to the church.
What makes St Julian’s special is its connection to a remarkable historical figure and its tiny, atmospheric interior. The church is a spiritual space that has nurtured contemplation for centuries.
Address: King Street, NR2 1PB
Opening: Daily 10am-4pm (check for services)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to expect: Tiny, atmospheric church. Allow 15-20 minutes.
Julian of Norwich: St Julian (1342-1413) was a medieval mystic who wrote “Revelations of Divine Love,” one of the earliest books written in English by a woman. Her cell was attached to this church.
7. St Clement’s Church
St Clement’s is one of Norwich’s oldest churches, with fabric dating from the 12th century. Located near the river, it’s easily missed but rewards exploration with a beautiful interior and fascinating history.
What makes St Clement’s special is its antiquity and survival. The church has survived centuries of change, war, and redevelopment, remaining a place of worship while most of its medieval surroundings disappeared.
Address: Colegate, NR3 1DE
Opening: Daily 10am-4pm (check for services)
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to expect: Atmospheric, old interior. Allow 20-30 minutes.
Archaeology: The church sits near the site of Norwich’s earliest settlement, connecting it to the city’s origins.
8. St Saviour’s Chapel
St Saviour’s is a tiny medieval chapel that once served as a chantry chapel—a space where priests would say masses for the souls of the dead. It’s one of Norwich’s smallest medieval religious spaces, yet remarkable for its survival and atmosphere.
What makes St Saviour’s special is its tiny scale and survival. The chapel is intimate, atmospheric, and offers a sense of medieval piety that larger churches can’t replicate.
Address: St Saviour’s Lane, NR2 1DQ
Opening: Check with Norwich heritage office (access is sometimes restricted)
Cost: Free (when open)
What to expect: Tiny, atmospheric space. Allow 10-15 minutes.
Chantry chapel function: These chapels were common in medieval towns, but few survive. St Saviour’s is a rare example of this once-common building type.
9. The Church of St John the Baptist (Adam and Eve Pub)
This former medieval church is now Norwich’s oldest pub (the Adam and Eve), but it retains substantial medieval fabric in its walls and arches. It’s a remarkable survival—a church repurposed as a pub that has operated continuously since the 13th century.
What makes it special is its dual identity as church and pub. The building’s history spans 800 years, encompassing religious worship, secular drinking, and everything in between. It’s a tangible connection to medieval Norwich’s social life.
Address: 17-19 Bishopgate, NR2 1NR
Opening: Daily 11am-11pm
Cost: Free to visit (beer prices vary)
What to expect: Atmospheric pub with medieval fabric. The exterior walls are particularly impressive.
History: The church was converted to a pub after the Reformation, but its walls and arches remain essentially medieval.
10. Blackfriars (Friary Ruins)
Blackfriars was a Dominican friary built in the 13th century, dissolved at the Reformation, and largely destroyed. What remains are atmospheric ruins that give a sense of the scale and grandeur of medieval religious houses.
What makes Blackfriars special is its atmospheric ruin quality. The surviving walls and arches create a romantic ruin that inspired countless artists and writers. It’s a tangible connection to Norwich’s pre-Reformation religious life.
Address: Between Cowgate and St Saviour’s Lane
Opening: Accessible 24/7 (ruins are open-air)
Cost: Free
What to expect: Atmospheric ruins, particularly impressive at dusk or dawn. Allow 15-20 minutes.
Dissolution context: The friaries were dissolved under Henry VIII. Many were demolished or converted to secular use. Blackfriars partially survived as a reminder of what was lost.
Exploring Norwich’s Churches: A Walking Route
Norwich’s compact city centre makes a walking tour of its churches practical. Here’s a route covering 8 churches in 2-3 hours:
Start: Norwich Cathedral (allow 1 hour)
Walk to: St Andrew’s Hall (15 minutes, allow 30 minutes)
Walk to: St Peter Mancroft (5 minutes, allow 30 minutes)
Walk to: St Giles (5 minutes, allow 30 minutes)
Walk to: St John Timberhill (10 minutes, allow 20 minutes)
Walk to: St Julian’s (10 minutes, allow 20 minutes)
Walk to: St Clement’s (10 minutes, allow 20 minutes)
End: Blackfriars ruins (10 minutes, allow 15 minutes)
Total distance: Approximately 1.5 miles
Total time: 2.5-3 hours (depending on pace)
Total cost: Cathedral only (£8 adult), all others free
Understanding Church Architecture
Norwich’s churches showcase different medieval architectural styles:
Romanesque (c.1100-1200): Thick walls, round arches, small windows. The cathedral nave is the finest example.
Early English Gothic (c.1200-1300): Pointed arches, lancet windows, elegant proportions. St Clement’s has Early English elements.
Decorated Gothic (c.1300-1400): Elaborate tracery, larger windows, more ornament. St Andrew’s and St Peter Mancroft show this style.
Perpendicular Gothic (c.1400-1550): Vertical emphasis, rectangular windows, minimal ornament. St Giles is a fine example.
Flint-and-chequer: Norwich’s distinctive stone pattern (knapped flint alternating with squared stone) seen on many churches.
Church Etiquette
Respect worship: Churches are active places of worship. Don’t enter during services or when prayers are happening.
Keep quiet: Churches are contemplative spaces. Keep voices down.
Photography: Ask permission before photographing inside. Many churches allow it, but some don’t.
Donations: Most churches are free to visit but welcome donations. £1-2 per church is reasonable if you can afford it.
Explore fully: Don’t just photograph the altar—look at glass, architecture, memorials, and details throughout the church.
Seasonal Church Visits
Spring/Summer: Best light in churches, longest daylight hours for exploration.
Autumn: Beautiful autumn light through stained glass, fewer crowds.
Winter: Churches feel particularly atmospheric on dark winter days, but many close earlier.
Combining Churches with Other Activities
Norwich’s city centre has more than churches:
Elm Hill: Norwich’s oldest surviving street, with beautiful Tudor houses and the Britons Arms pub.
Market Place: Historic market (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays) with local produce and crafts.
Norwich Castle: Castle and museum (entry fee) with excellent displays on Norwich’s history.
Riverside: Walks along the River Wensum, passing historic areas and churches.
Photography Tips
Interior light: Many churches have beautiful light, especially through stained glass. Overcast days can be better than bright sun (less harsh contrast).
Architectural details: Focus on arches, columns, and architectural features. Norwich churches have excellent examples.
Stained glass: Many churches have exceptional medieval glass. Use a longer lens to capture details.
Exterior shots: Early morning or late afternoon offers good light on church exteriors.
Churches Worth Knowing About (Even If You Don’t Visit All)
Norwich has too many medieval churches to visit in one trip. Here are others worth knowing about:
St Martin at Palace: Chapel with royal connections (where Anne Boleyn was presented to Henry VIII).
St James: Former church now converted to a theatre, but medieval fabric remains in exterior walls.
St Michael at Plea: Formerly the tallest medieval spire in Norwich, collapsed 16th century.
St Edmund’s: One of Norwich’s oldest churches, now closed and in need of restoration.
St Gregory’s: Former church with interesting history, now demolished but site known.
A Final Thought
Norwich’s medieval churches represent one of England’s most remarkable ecclesiastical collections. In a compact city centre, you can experience Romanesque and Gothic architecture, centuries of religious practice, and the tangible survival of medieval urban life.
The key is to explore beyond the cathedral and famous churches like St Andrew’s. Visit St Julian’s intimate space, discover St John Timberhill’s quiet beauty, explore the atmospheric ruins of Blackfriars. These hidden gems offer a more intimate connection to medieval Norwich than the grander spaces ever can.
Norwich’s churches aren’t museum exhibits—they’re active places of worship that have served their communities for centuries. Visiting them isn’t just about architecture and history—it’s about experiencing continuity, spirituality, and the tangible presence of the medieval past in a modern city.
So explore Norwich’s churches methodically. Walk from one to another, comparing architectural styles, feeling the differences between grand city churches and intimate parish spaces. And discover why Norwich has one of Europe’s finest collections of medieval churches.
This guide reveals Norwich’s extraordinary collection of 30+ medieval churches, from the cathedral’s grandeur to hidden gems like St Julian’s, from atmospheric ruins like Blackfriars to converted spaces like the Adam and Eve pub. Norwich’s ecclesiastical heritage is deeper and more varied than most visitors discover. Explore these churches and experience one of England’s finest medieval church collections.