Norwich Market has recently won a national award for ‘Best Large Outdoor Market’ in the Great British Market Awards 2019! Featuring a mix of independent young traders with a varied offering, including international cuisines and trendy fashion, we take a look a why you need to add Norwich Market and its 200+ brightly coloured stalls to your ‘must visit’ list when travelling to Norfolk.
The colourful rooftops of Norwich Market
Norwich Market a firm travel destination when visiting Norfolk
When travelling for a visit to your holiday home, indulging in a hotel break or a cheeky staycation, it is always great to discover and find new places, or perhaps indeed a new favourite place! Norwich Market hit the news last week with its fab new award, but this market is not new by any means. It has a long history, 1000+ years in fact; there was a Saxon market in Norwich originally but it was the Normans who established the market on its current site and location on Gentleman’s Walk.
Norwich Market place in 1806
John Sell Cotman / Public domain
History of Norwich Market
Over the 17th and 18th centuries, improved coach travel meant there were a larger number of visitors heading to Norwich, creating a bigger demand for goods and services. Back in this period, the market had a number of changes; new buildings were erected around it and the first gas pipes were installed for a gas lamp which stood for over 60 years. Changes to the management of the Market had begun after WWI; the Markets Committee gradually bought up all the stalls with the aim of encouraging unemployed ex service men to rent them and thus earn a living. When the ownership of all stalls was invested in by the Council, the Committee took over responsibility for their upkeep, the supply of electricity and of protective canvas tilts. Now they also had the means of introducing uniformity in the design and standard of stalls.
Norwich Market Facts
In 1918 Tank week was held to promote the sale of War Bonds. A tank was transported to Norwich by rail from London and parked in front of the Guildhall in the Market Place. Its attraction resulted in a total sum of over one million pounds to be contributed during the week, Norwich being one of 33 cities achieving £1m.
During the war, bombs were displayed outside the Guildhall- Big Bert, Little Bert & Egbert all held pride of place.
Over 2005, new plans were implemented and on the 25th March 2006 the new market was officially opened. During the refurbishment the market stayed open for business throughout.
Get lost in the many rows at Norwich Market and pick up a bite to eat too
Bia Vegan Diner sign - Norwich Market is well-known for the wide variety of food stalls
Invest in rest - a Holiday Home near Norfolk
Few things make better investments for your savings or pension pot than a UK holiday home near to Norfolk and Norwich. It’s somewhere to call your own and somewhere for you and your family to rest and chill, it’s also a means of generating extra income. Compared to other investments, somewhere to rest is better than all the rest. A holiday home means you can explore all that this fantastic region has to offer, whether thats relaxing on the Norfolk Broads or hitting the fine city of Norwich to it’s award winning market!
