streets throughout the country. You will meet antiquarian booksellers, an Egyptian pottery merchant, New Age herbalists, an expert in military clothing, a trader in the latest computer games, a Fair Trade enterprise, someone selling tea from around the world, and many more interesting people. It is constantly changing, and as one trade goes down, another comes up. There are three more important stops on this walk. One of them is The Bridewell in Bridewell Alley, which tells the story of Norwich industry – mustard, textiles, chocolate and beer. The building itself is a sombre flint edifice, and it is not hard to believe that it was once a prison for beggars (or bridewells). If you go around the building to the opposite side, you will find the original small oak doorway, blackened and cracked with age, through which prisoners passed to begin their sentence. Carry on a few yards until you come to St John’s Alley, which runs down the side of a fine small church, St John Maddermarket, which houses the finest collection of brasses in the city. The name ‘Maddermarket’ is derived from ‘madder’, which is a Norfolk plant that produces a red dye. Halfway down, you will come across the Maddermarket Theatre. This is special because it welcomes local people to Photo by Daniel Tink www.danieltink.co.uk
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Photo by Daniel Tink www.danieltink.co.uk
act and help out in putting on professional productions. There is also a plaque commemorating the feat of the most famous Morris dancer of all time, Will Kemp. In 1599, for a bet, he morris-danced all the way from London to Norwich. It took him four weeks and he ended his journey, to great acclaim, in this alley, where he jumped over the graveyard wall of St John Maddermarket opposite the theatre entrance.
At Charing Cross, turn left and you will find Strangers’ Hall. The building itself dates from 1320 and contains imaginative recreations of life in Tudor and Stuart times. In the Great Hall, the high table is set for a feast, while the 17th century bedroom of Lady Paine (wife of Mayor, Sir Joseph Paine) is open to public view. A costumed guide will show you around. It is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. The walk ends here, only a few yards from where it began. This walk is taken from Norwich by Stephen Browning. Published by Halsgrove, it is priced £14.99 (hardback).
www.norfolkonmymind.co.uk
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