St. Nicholas Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1NL
Medieval Wall and Town Centre | Open |
Sat 11 Sep | 10am - 2pm (last entry 1.30pm) |
Sun 12 Sep | 10am - 2pm (last entry 1.30pm) |
Join Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust and the Heritage Action Zone team for a tour of the Medieval Town Wall and other historic sites across the town centre.
Go behind the scenes, visit historic sites rarely open to the public and learn about vital conservation work taking place around the town.
Great Yarmouth boasts the second best preserved medieval town wall in England. The wall, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, traces its origins to 1261, when King Henry III granted permission to enclose the town with a moat and ditch. It took years to complete, the main work finishing in 1346, but construction continuing until c.1400. The fortification, which was last garrisoned during the English Civil War, was more than 23 feet high, 2,280 yards long, with 10 gates and 16 towers.
The wall decayed after the Civil War and all 10 gates were demolished for road widening between 1776 – 1812. By 1902, attitudes had changed and demolition of a section of the wall between Northgate Street and the North West Tower inspired the beginnings of its preservation. Now, through a partnership between the Borough Council and Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, £30,000 is invested every year in its repair and conservation and the wall remains remarkably complete.
The Trust has restored the South East Tower, which is now open as holiday accommodation. Similar repairs are under way at the North West Tower, which will be open to visitors on Heritage Open Days along with other sections of the wall and the Trust’s conservation projects at St John’s Church and the Old and New Cemeteries.
Directions - Town Wall, St Nicholas School, St Nicholas Road, NR30 1NL North West Tower, North Quay, NR30 1PU St John’s Church, Lancaster Road, NR30 2NG Old Cemetery, Kitchener Road, NR30 4HU
Meet at St. Nicholas Priory Ce V A Primary School