Find out more about twelve historic landmarks along the race route

If it’s beautiful scenery and historic buildings that you’re after, Run Norwich doesn’t disappoint. The city centre route takes in some of Norwich’s oldest and most prestigious landmarks. Here are twelve of the most iconic buildings to keep your eye out for:

City Hall

The iconic Norwich City Hall will provide the backdrop to the start & finish area, so may well be a welcome sight for runners come the end of the race!

The home of Norwich City Council, the building was opened in 1938 to accommodate the growth in local council duties, replacing the Guildhall (which is located just across the road and will be the second iconic landmark you’ll pass).

It may surprise you to know that the City Hall’s 150-foot high tower conceals the largest clock-bell in the United Kingdom – and it also has the deepest ‘tone’ in East Anglia.

The Guildhall

A familiar and much loved sight in Norwich city centre, the Guildhall dates back to the 15th century. England’s largest and most elaborate medieval city hall outside London, it was central to civic and judicial life for over 600 years.

The building contains the Sheriff of Norwich’s parlour, courtrooms, prison cells and a 14th-century undercroft.

The Forum

The newest of the twelve historical and culturally important landmarks on the route, the Forum was built to mark the millennium in the East of England.

The main section forms an enclosing horseshoe, made from handmade bricks, while the glass façade forms a stunning entrance and embraces the marvelous Gothic church tower of St Peter Mancroft.

Assembly House

One of the most glorious examples of Georgian assembly rooms architecture in the county, the beautiful Assembly House was designed by the architect Thomas Ivory.

When it opened, The Assembly House was used as a centre for entertainment and assemblies for the local gentry. During its long history, it has hosted a waxworks exhibition by Madam Tussaud, a concert by celebrated Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, and many lavish balls including one in 1805 to celebrate Nelson’s famous victory in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Today, following extensive renovation, the rooms appear almost exactly as they did at the height of the Regency period, and are used for exhibitions, concerts, conferences and weddings.

St John’s RC Cathedral

The first of two Cathedrals on the race route, St John’s Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic revival architecture in England.

Built between 1882 and 1910 from designs by architect George Gilbert Scott Junior, it contains some of the most exquisite 19th century stained glass in Europe.

To this day, the building still divides opinion: some find it dark and foreboding – out of keeping with the character of Norwich – while others marvel at its peaceful beauty. Regardless, because of its majestic size, it is often mistaken for the medieval Cathedral.

Norwich Castle

One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, Norwich Castle is one of the finest surviving secular Norman buildings in Europe.

It was built as a royal palace for William the Conqueror around 1067AD at a time when most buildings were small, wooden structures – the huge stone keep was a symbol of the king’s power. The Castle mound (motte) is the largest in the country.

The Castle was converted into a museum in 1894. Visitors to the Castle can explore the Castle Keep, and discover its history as a Norman palace and as a prison.

There are also many galleries packed with treasures from our nationally important collections, from archaeology to fine art, from the ancient Egyptians to natural history.

Dragon’s Hall

This landmark is a magnificent Grade I listed medieval merchant’s trading hall. It is the only known surviving building of its type in Western Europe.

Built by a wealthy local merchant Robert Toppes around 1430, Dragon’s Hall was the hub of his international trading empire. In its heyday, it would have been filled with wool, cloth, timber, spices, pottery and other exotic items.

The building gets its name from an intricately carved and painted dragon on its famous crown-post roof, located on top of the first floor of the 27-metre timber-framed hall.

Carrow Road

Norfolk residents and City fans won’t need any introducing to the eighth landmark on our race-route – it’s the home of Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road.

Built in just 82 days, during the summer of 1935, the ground was the new home of the club following their move from ‘The Nest’.

The early 1990s saw Carrow Road convert into an all-seater, with the construction of the Barclay Stand. A decade later, the new South Stand took the capacity of the ground to 27,224 for which it remains to this day.

Surrey House

Though runners will not pass directly in front of the grand Surrey House, it will be visible briefly as the route passes down St Stephen’s Street.

The historic home of Aviva, Surrey House is a spectacular piece of Edwardian architecture built in 1900.

Architect George Skipper was commissioned by the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society’s (as it was then known) to produce a ‘splendid yet functional office space’ incorporating Greek influences and the themes of insurance, protection and wellbeing, to reassure policyholders of the company’s strength and prosperity.

The building has a commanding Palladian exterior and contains fifteen varieties of marble, classically inspired frescos and a stunning glass atrium.

The Great Hospital

Established in the thirteenth century, The Great Hospital was built to provide care for paupers, old priests, and poor scholars and has been supporting the people of Norwich ever since.

The Great Hospital is situated along Bishopgate, near Norwich Cathedral and is renowned for its continuous record of care, the range of existing medieval buildings and the extensive archives that record the hospital’s long history.

The grounds include the church of St Helen as well as other visual and interactive displays including the ‘Eagle Ward’ which is lavishly decorated with 252 painted black eagles. Today the hospital provides sheltered housing for the elderly and also serves as an event venue.

St James Mill

St James Mill is an English Industrial Revolution mill and is one of Norwich’s most prestigious monuments.

On the day, runners will be able to appreciate the picturesque River Wensum and scenic riverside paths, which lie adjacent to the Grade 1 listed building.

The site was first occupied by The White Friars in the 13th Century. The mill was built between 1836-39, shortly after The Norwich Yarn Company was established, to prevent the decline of the local textile trade.

Inside, the mill is open plan with three individual meeting rooms and high ceilings; the floor is rectangular in shape

Cathedral

For over 900 years Norwich Cathedral has dominated the skyline of Norwich, and the revised route this year takes runners through the heart of its grounds.

The Cathedral boasts a vast collection of arts and objects in conjunction with stunning Romanesque architecture. Founded in 1096 by the first Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga, this Norman building is now the second largest Catholic Cathedral in the country.

Today, the Cathedral hosts a visitor centre equipped with a restaurant (The Refectory), gift shop and the beautiful Herb and Japanese Gardens. It has been featured in various films and documentaries.