Award-winning Norwich Market has been at the lively heart of the city for more than 900 years. Voted Best Large Outdoor Market in the Great British Market Awards 2019, its history is as colourful as the snazzy striped awnings which shelter shoppers and stallholders year round. With such a huge amount of history to discover it’s hard to know where to start so you’ll be glad of an expert guide like Paul Dickson! His engaging 1½ hour guided tour celebrates centuries of trade that brought early prosperity to Norwich.

Discover the Normans, stories of Medieval times and the importance of the Paston Letters, see the great church of St Peter Mancroft and hear about the long lost Market Cross. Uncover the role of the Tollhouse and Guildhall, then brace yourself for grisly tales from days when the market was a place of execution. Grim! On a cheerier note, there’s talk of bawdy street entertainers and rip roaring coaching inns, described in the rollicking 18th century journals of Parson Woodforde who relished fine claret and a good dinner! Find out about the shoemaking trade and story of Start-Rite, pubs, banks, handsome Victorian edifices, City Hall, the market’s 1930s redevelopment and changes of the 21st century.

And bring a shopping bag – there’s loads to tempt savvy shoppers and passionate foodies here!