WELCOME TO DRAGON HALL

This 14th century door within a 15th century opening is on King Street, Norwich, and leads us into the only medieval merchants trading hall known to survive in Western Europe. The hall was built for the merchant Robert Toppes in the mid 15th century. He made his fortune trading cloth to the Continent and importing goods back to Norwich, including German pottery. Toppes was a very influential man (he was Sheriff and Mayor) and owned property in Norfolk and Suffolk, so it is not surprising that he built his hall in what was one of the wealthiest districts of Norwich.

Dragon hall was built parallel to the street and partly over a 14th century open hall house which runs at right angles to the later building. As you enter the doorway you can see the blocked ogee arches to the buttery and pantry of this earlier house on the left. You are in a screens passage with a lovely 16th century screen. At the end of the passage an archway leads to the grand staircase to the main trading hall.

First we go down to the undercroft, here is a magnificent rib vaulted ceiling.

Be sure to look out at the rear elevation. See the close studded timber framing, a sign of wealth and prestige.

Now we enter the stunning Great Hall. The four bays to the north formed the trading hall and the three to the south formed more private quarters. There are signs of wealth everywhere. The magnificent crown post roof has moulded principle wall studs and plates. From these arched braces rise to canted ties, which support polygonal crown posts, with moulded bases and capitals and arched braces to the crown purlin and collars.

There are remains of the original painting on the beams, and discovered in a spandrel of a tie beam, as fresh as the day he was painted, is a vibrant carved dragon. The original fenestration would have included three full height projecting transomed windows to the street side, so the hall would have been flooded with light and colour.

After Robert Toppes death in 1467 the hall was sold and the proceeds donated to St. Peter Mancroft church. In the centuries that followed the decline in status of King Street led to the partitioning of the hall, until by the 20th century it held the Old Barge Pub, a rectory, and a butchers shop amongst other dwellings. The hall was rediscovered in the 1960s during an inspection of the roof, and was acquired by the City Council in 1979. The council undertook essential work to save the roof, and then handed the property to the Norfolk and Norwich Heritage Trust who continued the restoration work.

Dragon Hall is a magnificent Grade 1 listed medieval trading hall in the heart of Norwich embodying one thousand years of human history. The hall was built by merchant Robert Toppes in 1430 and is believed to be the only surviving medieval trading hall in Western Europe built by an individual. In April 2006 Dragon Hall was reopend as a major heritage visitor attraction following a £1.8 million restoration and development programme, largely funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund. Dragon Hall is managed by The Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust.

Open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm, closed on Saturdays for events, unless they have a publicised activity.

Price:

• £5 adult
• £4.20 concession
• £3.00 5-16 yrs
• £12.00 family group (2 adults up to 3 children)
• Pre-booked groups of 10 or more 10% discount

telephone (01603) 663922.

See also Dragon Hall's own website at www.dragonhall.org