Riverside Rambles

One of the activities in our summer jar of ideas was a riverside walk in Norwich because the children wanted to see Cow Tower, an artillery tower built in the 1300s which also played a part in Kett's Rebellion in 1549. 

Looking towards Fye Bridge from Whitefriars Bridge with the city hall clock tower dominating the skyline. 

Charlie wants a canoe for Christmas so that he can explore the city by river. Best he start saving up!

One of my favourite buildings in Norwich and one of the 'Norwich 12' most iconic buildings; St James Mill.

Jarrold's Bridge. The water was so still.

This swan swam towards us near to the last remaining swan pit in England, near to The Great Hospital which is also one of the 'Norwich 12'

Swans were kept in these pits, fattened up and eventually killed for human consumption. This one dates from the 18th century but swan pits were first known of in the medieval period.

This gaggle of geese were wandering along the path and were quite close to the children. I thought Harry would freak out but he just stood quietly watching them waddling past him.

I'd never noticed this pond before. I don't know how we'd missed it! 

The children love this memorial seat close to Cow Tower. Charlie said it's comfortable enough to sleep on! Tom Richardson was a local musician who died in a house fire and the seat was placed there by friends and family as Cow Tower was one of his favourite spots.

Sadly Cow Tower isn't open to the public but you're able to peep through the gateway to look inside at what is essentially a shell as the floors and roof have been lost long ago.

A Spontaneous City of bird & bug boxes appeared around Norwich in 2011 as part of the Norwich & Norfolk Festival. Although it was originally an art installation it's great to see there's a long-term practical use for them.

There was a shallow part to the river and I could see Charlie was itching to get in!

The stunning cathedral through the trees. 

After leaving the riverside at Pull's Ferry we walked Ferry Lane towards Cathedral Close which is full of quaint Grade II listed chocolate-box cottages and buildings. There's a large green which is perfect for picnics on a sunny day. It's a little piece of heaven in the city centre. 

The last time we walked past this house there was a rocking horse in the window wearing a stetson. This time they also had decorated some twigs to make a rather cool hat stand. I can't wait to see what is on display next time!

The smell from the herb garden was amazing. One day I'll find the time to pop in and have a proper look around.

There are a number of sculptures around the grounds of the cathedral. We couldn't decide whether we liked this one or not. Art is obviously subjective but usually I can feel early on whether I like a work of art. 

I rather liked this one and it wasn't until I searched it up online that I found out it is a quote from Julian of Norwich who was an anchoress, one who lived, set apart for God, in a cell and her c.1395 book Revelations of Divine Love is the first book known to have been written in the English language by a woman.

Edith Cavell is another historically important Norfolk woman. She was a nurse during World War I  and assisted the escape of more than 200 allied soldiers from Belgium. Because of this she was shot by the Germans. After her execution she was buried at Norwich Cathedral and this monument is outside the Erpingham Gate. In 2015 her grave and memorial were re-dedicated to mark 100 years since her death.  

By the time we got back to the car park we'd covered less than 2 miles, so it was a relatively short walk, but we took our time by stopping often to watch the wildlife or discover more about our surroundings and it was a walk steeped in history and wonderful architecture. 

Our beautiful city never fails to make me smile.