Dragon Hall

Norwich


Dating from 1430, Dragon Hall is a medieval trading hall – the only building of its kind to have belonged to one man, Robert Toppes, rather than a guild, suggesting he was a successful entrepreneur. It's famous for an interior which features a carved incarnation of the eponymous fire-breathing creature set amid carved and arching beams.

Dragon Hall is to be the new National Centre for Writing and at the time of writing is only open on guided tours – check the website for the latest.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Norwich attractions

1. Norwich Castle

0.31 MILES

Crowning a hilltop overlooking central Norwich, this massive 12th-century castle is one of England’s best-preserved examples of Anglo-Norman military…

2. Tombland & Elm Hill

0.39 MILES

Leafy Tombland, near Norwich Cathedral, is where the city's market was originally located ('tomb' is an old Norse word for empty, hence there being space…

3. Museum of Norwich

0.42 MILES

Stay on your best behaviour: 14th-century Bridewell is a former house of correction, a 'prison for women, beggars and tramps'. Displays here explore…

4. Norwich Cathedral

0.46 MILES

Norwich's most impressive landmark is a magnificent Anglican cathedral. Its barbed spire soars higher than any in England except Salisbury's, while the…

5. Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

2.84 MILES

The region's most important centre for the arts is housed in the first major public building by renowned architect Norman Foster. Its eclectic collections…

6. St Helen's

8.53 MILES

Known locally as the 'Cathedral of the Broads', this 14th-century church dominates the pretty village of Ranworth. Inside there's a magnificent painted…

7. Toad Hole Cottage

10.77 MILES

This tiny cottage was home to an eel-catcher and his family and is restored in period style, showing how they lived and the tools they used to work the…

8. Bure Valley Steam Railway

11.62 MILES

This narrow-gauge steam train runs between Aylsham and Wroxham and is an ideal way to see some hidden parts of the Broads. Trains operate different…