Enjoy a summer walking tour of some of Norwich’s iconic buildings

>August Events / >July Events / >September Events / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Then & Now / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk August 18, 2012

With the weather at its summer best, now is the ideal time to take a walking tour of some of Norwich’s historic and iconic buildings, including many not usually open to the public. Norwich Heritage Regeneration and Economic Trust (HEART) and Norwich Tourist Information Centre (TIC) are, for the third year, running the popular guided walking tours of the Norwich 12 buildings on Thursdays and Fridays until mid-September.

The Norwich 12 tours offer the chance to experience some of Norwich‘s 1,000 years of history in just a few hours. Led by an experienced Blue Badge Guide and knowledgeable staff from the individual buildings, each tour takes in three of the Norwich 12 buildings, visiting the interiors if possible. Many of the buildings are not normally open to the public so this is a unique opportunity to explore some of Norwich‘s hidden history.

Each Norwich 12 tours costs £10 per person (£9 with Go4Less) and participants receive an exclusive voucher sheet with money-off vouchers valid at many of the Norwich 12 buildings and cafés on the routes.

Norwich 12 is the UK’s finest collection of individually outstanding buildings from the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras, and comprises buildings as diverse as The Great Hospital, Norwich Castle and Surrey House. Started by Norwich HEART in 2006, it is a pioneering heritage initiative to develop the 12 buildings into an integrated family of heritage attractions.

Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of HEART, said:

“The Norwich 12 is the finest set of iconic historic buildings in the whole country representing the development of the English City over the last millennium. These tours provide a great opportunity to go behind closed doors at some of these – explore the Guildhall undercroft and cells, view the imposing art deco Council Chamber at City Hall, and see time stood still in the residents’ cubicles at the Great Hospital’s Eagle Ward.”

The tours will run on Thursdays and Fridays until Friday 21 September and last around two-and-a-half hours each. Each tour is limited to a maximum number of 15 people so it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, although there may be some availability on the day.

The Norwich 12 tours form part of HEART’s SHAPING 24 project, a cultural heritage and tourism initiative which takes forward the Norwich 12 project with the Belgian city of Ghent. The tours link in with other areas of the project which aim to maximize the access and enjoyment of the 24 outstanding heritage sites. SHAPING 24 is funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (INTERREG IVA 2 Seas Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013).

For more information about the Norwich 12 tours or to book, visit Norwich TIC in The Forum or call 01603 213999. Leaflets about the tours are available from each of the Norwich 12 buildings, Norwich HEART’s office in The Guildhall, Colman’s Mustard Shop & Museum in the Royal Arcade, and online at www.norwich12.co.uk.