As the city’s civic society, The Norwich Society is an independent community-based charity, supporting the preservation, development and improvement of features of historic interest of our city. We also use the expertise of architects, town planners, surveyors and other industry professionals within our committees to comment on significant planning decisions in the area on behalf of the public. And we encourage exploration and enjoyment of Norwich’s history through a range of talks, walks and other events, as well as regular publications.
From saving the historic Elm Hill area from demolition in the 1920s, to recent advocacy for better development of the Anglia Square site, we’ve been championing the built environment and public spaces in Norwich and celebrating the city’s unique character and beauty since 1923.
Our membership is our strength – find out more about joining us here.
Our Charitable Objectives are:
- To encourage public interest in and care for the beauty, history and character of Norwich and its surrounding
- To encourage the preservation, development and improvement of features of general public amenity or historic interest in Norwich and its surroundings
- To encourage high standards of architecture and town planning in Norwich and its surroundings
We further these objectives by means of meetings, exhibitions, lectures, publications, and other publicity, by cooperation with other bodies, and by promotion of schemes of a charitable nature.
We also do this by:
- Appraising significant planning applications to encourage sympathetic and high-quality developments
- Highlighting the best modern architecture, through the biennial Design and Craftsmanship Awards
- Contributing to strategic planning and town planning that will shape Norwich’s character and quality of life going forward
- Encouraging reductions in the city's climate change emissions
- Recognising and promoting listed or significant buildings, other monuments and the city’s unique character and heritage, such as via the Local List
- Proactively monitoring the cleanliness and appearance of the civic environment to help maintain high standards
- Enhancing appreciation of this city with a range of events, publications and social media content to help people enjoy the best of the city
Find out more about the Society’s committees and their work
Strategy
The Norwich Society - Five Year Forward Plan 2018 - 2022 document sets out the Norwich Society’s framework for its activity, ethos and objectives for the next five years. The plan includes an Action Plan which will be updated and agreed each year as part of the planning and budget-setting process. Norwich Society members and other key stakeholders have been consulted on this plan which was agreed by the Society’s Executive Committee in December 2017.
Over 90 years of valuable service
There are many achievements that we can celebrate since The Norwich Society was first formed in 1923.
Did you know that without our work, the Tudor timber-framed buildings of Elm Hill would have been torn down and replaced by industrial units. Also, medieval Bishop’s Bridge over the River Wensum and Theatre Street’s much-loved Assembly House would have be demolished.
Read more about the Society’s history and achievements
Charitable status
The Norwich Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registration number 1189593.
A SUMMARY OF THE SOCIETY'S KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Saving Bishops Bridge
As part of their schemes to modernise Norwich after the First World War, the City authorities proposed to replace this medieval bridge with a wider one to accommodate increased motor traffic. In 1923 a group of architects and archaeologists successfully protected it by having it listed by the national Ministry of Works. They also instigated preservation orders on other historic structures including the Cathedral and buildings in its Close, the Castle, the Guildhall and many more. Out of this concern to preserve the best of the past The Norwich Society was formed. It aimed to ensure that in the admirable post-war drive for slum clearance, road widening, and other improvement of the city, historically and architecturally significant structures were not swept away unnecessarily.
Saving Elm Hill
Most of the buildings in Elm Hill date from 1507-1520, rebuilt after a major fire in the city. By the 1920s they had deteriorated badly. The City owned many and, as part of its continuing slum clearance programme, announced its intention to pull them down and replace them with light industrial facilities. Recognising that they were a valuable set of timber-framed buildings in a city losing such buildings fast, The Norwich Society led opposition to this programme and Elm Hill was saved. Ultimately the buildings were substantially rehabilitated and the district is now a picturesque mixture of private dwellings, offices, shops, restaurants and cafes - beautiful, peaceful and thriving.
Saving the Assembly House
A private proposal in the 1930s to demolish the Assembly House on Theatre Street, although listed, was resisted by the Society. Originally a College of Secular Canons, then the town house of a wealthy family, then, in the 18th century, the Assembly Rooms (for leisure and entertainment) it had become the Norwich High School for Girls. The trust which owned it sought to fund the move of the school to other premises out of the centre by demolishing it and selling the site to a developer. It was in fact listed but it sought to persuade the ministry to de-list it. The Norwich Society successfully opposed the move and saved the building which has now returned to being a valuable resource for the artistic and cultural life of the city.
Saving Tombland
Tombland, near the Cathedral, has always been a popular resource for the people of Norwich. Never the location of tombs, it started out, before the Norman invaders built Castle and Cathedral, as the Saxon market-place. In 1951, as part of post-war reconstruction, the City Corporation proposed to build permanent structures in the square for the remaining market stall holders. Realising that this would inhibit popular use of the space The Norwich Society joined forces with others to resist the proposal and were successful. Now the square is an elegant and popular district for restaurants, bars and café-society.