At last I have got to post on Wymondham, an interesting town we pass on our way home from our cottage holiday in Norfolk last October.
We spend most of the day here as we are not too far from home.
The Market Square
Taking random pictures as we wander around and will be spreading them over two posts
It must have been an important town even before the Normans arrived. The parish is one of the largest in Norfolk. The importance continued in Norman times with the establishment of the great Priory (next post), which would have generated much trade for the local people, particularly innkeepers, leather workers and food suppliers.
Wymondham's most famous inhabitant was probably Robert Kett, who in 1549 led a rebellion of peasants and small farmers in protest about the enclosure of common land. With a huge force of almost unarmed men he fought for and held the City of Norwich for six weeks until defeated by the King's forces. He was hanged from Norwich Castle, and his brother William from the Abbey west tower.
Market Street has many little alleys off it
Becket's chapel was founded in 1174 by William d'Albini, son of the founder of the Abbey. After the dissolution it fell into disrepair but in 1559 it was converted for use as a Grammar School. It has had many uses since but since 2009 it has been used as the town's Arts Centre.
We have been wondering where to have lunch and have come across The Green Dragon which takes our fancy
This late fifteenth century building, standing next to the Abbey gate, once served as a hostelry for Abbey visitors. It is the oldest inn in the town, and the Tudor shop windows at the front showed that it had other uses in the sixteenth century.
We have a quick look around before it gets busy
The bar in the opposite corner is tiny but so interesting and I wish I had taken a photo then. However when we returned there were a number of people standing around it and I did not feel free to invade their privacy with my camera.
When we come back later it is very busy
so we decide to eat upstairs where there is some space and only one other table in use
The bar
The food was excellent but it was not as quiet as we had thought. I am sure you have come across it too. A Grandmother and daughter, small child and baby.
The child thought they owned the place and ran around everywhere unchecked, the Grandmother spent her time loudly telling her daughter how she looked after her children, daughter telling Mother in equally loud voice how she looked after hers (both saying they were right) while the baby enjoyed playing with it's food and throwing it every where. From the rest of their conversation it was obvious that they were well educated.
ships/boats in windows always get my attention
A lot more of interest in this town and will be showing you a little of it in next post.
