History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation
HERITAGE HIGHLIGHTS: Unique trading hall built by one merchant rather than a guild
In 1427 a successful Norwich merchant named Robert Toppes built a trading hall close to the River Wensum. The long rectangular building had a timber-framed hall on the first floor, open to a superb crown post roof. One of the roof timbers is carved with the likeness of a dragon, and it is this hand-painted carving that gives the Hall its name.
The Dragon Hall site was in use long before Robert Toppes appeared, though. In the 14th century part of the site was owned by Woburn Abbey, and there may have been a smokehouse here for preserving herring. The other half of the site was owned by a merchant named John Page, who maintained a traditional hall house. Around 1330 Page extended his hall with an undercroft for storage, beneath a service block for storing foodstuffs. The quality of the material used in construction suggests that Page set out to make a splash and impress people with his wealth and status. The basic house was an open hall, with a private solar, or family room, at one end. The open hall layout is preserved today in the Hall's meeting room.
In the late 14th century the entire site was combined into a single property by the Midday (or possibly the Clere) family. Then Robert Toppes acquired the property and set about constructing his grand new trading hall. Toppes (c.1405-1467) traded across Europe, importing and exporting spices, cloth, pottery, and wool. He also had real estate holdings and may have been a money-lender as well. He was influential in civic government and was elected 4 times as Lord Mayor of Norwich, and he represented the city in Parliament. He was a member of the Guild of St George, a trade organisation of local merchants. The symbol of the guild was a dragon, and this may account for the dragon carving that gives the Hall its name. In today's parlance Toppes was an entrepreneur, and he needed a focal point for his trading activities.
The Great Hall was the showpiece of Dragon Hall, built to impress trading partners and buyers. The superb crown-post roof was meant to draw the eye, as were three glazed oriel windows; glazed at a time when glass in a private house was a rarity. On the ground floor and undercroft were storage areas and work space.
Toppes did not live here; he and his family (2 successive wives, 7 children) lived near the market place at the heart of medieval Norwich.
After Toppes' death the building was converted into a private dwelling. During the 19th century the building was divided into a terrace of separate shops, flats, and a pub and the medieval roof was hidden. The Hall was set in a crowded area of tenement slums known as Norwich Yards. In the 1930s the civic government cleared the slums, leaving only one cottage in the area behind Dragon Hall. This cottage has now been incorporated into the Dragon Hall complex. The true nature of the building was only rediscovered in the 1980s, since when it has undergone a sensitive restoration to showcase the original 15th century building.
Parts of the Hall are used to tell the story of Toppes and the bustling commercial life of late medieval Norwich. On the top floor are activity areas, frequently used for events such as weddings, parties, and fairs. The Hall is run by an independent charitable trust.
This truly is a wonderful historic building. The medieval architecture is simply stunning, and the historical displays truly bring the building and the era of Robert Toppes to life. When we visited there was a children's activity going on, and our daughter was invited to make and decorate a paper dragon, like the dragon carving on the timber roof beam above here. She had so much fun doing the activities we could hardly tear her away in the end - and that doesn't happen often! Dragon Hall is fascinating, and set in an area of the city often overlooked by visitors. Just a few short steps away is the cell of St Julian or Norwich, the medieval mystic and writer (All Shall be Well).
In 2015 Dragon Hall was leased to Writer's Centre Norwich, an organisation for writers, publishers, and anyone who loves books. The Hall is now used for literary events, workshops, and writing courses. Thankfully the Hall is still open to public one day a month and for Heritage Open Days every September.
About Dragon Hall
Address: 115-123 King Street, Norwich, Norfolk, England, NR1 1QE
Attraction Type: Historic Building
Location: On King Street, a 5 minute walk from the castle, where you will find the nearest (paid) parking areas.
Website: Dragon Hall
Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Church and Shrine of St Julian of Norwich - 0.1 miles (Historic Church)
Norwich, St John Timberhill - 0.2 miles (Historic Church)
Norwich, All Saints Westlegate - 0.3 miles (Historic Church)
Norwich Castle - 0.3 miles (Castle)
Surrey House - 0.3 miles (Historic Building)
The Ethelbert Gate - 0.4 miles (Historic Building)
Norwich, St Michael at Plea - 0.4 miles (Historic Church)
Norwich, St Stephen's Church - 0.4 miles (Historic Church)
Nearest Accommodation to Dragon Hall: