Name: Cow Tower, Norwich
Rating: 5.0

Cow Tower, Norwich

Cotman Fields & Bishopgate, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 4AA, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Cow Tower, Norwich, One of the earliest purpose-built artillery blockhouses in England, this brick tower was built in about 1398-9 to command a strategic point in Norwich’s city defence.

The tower was intended to house guns and a garrison of gunners to defend the approach to the city across the River Wensum. Its height of over 15 metres (49 feet) was necessary to overlook the high ground on the opposite bank.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Cow Tower: One of the earliest purpose-built artillery blockhouses in England, Cow Tower was built in 1398–9 to control a strategic point in Norwich’s city defences.
The tower was intended to house guns and a garrison of gunners to defend the approach to the city across the River Wensum. Its height of over 15 metres (49 feet) was necessary to overlook the high ground on the opposite bank.
Built with widely splayed gun ports, the tower was suitable for the recently developed cannon while the ‘arrow loops’ could still be used for crossbows and small guns. The tower was built as an addition to the defences already encircling medieval Norwich.
The walls of the tower were built with a core of mortared flint rubble, faced internally and externally with brick, with external stone dressings. The ground floor may have been a communal dining room when the tower was garrisoned, with sleeping quarters on the upper two levels.
It seems likely that the origin of the tower’s name is derived from the surrounding meadow, previously known as Cowholme.

Facilities

Parking: No parking on site but there is charged short stay parking available at Norwich Railway Station or in a multi-storey car park over the road from the station, next to the Riverside Complex. Both of these are a 10-minute walk from the Cow Tower along the Wensum Riverside Walk which is a 2-mile route through the city centre.
Food & Drinks: There are no facilities on site but it is close to the centre of Norwich where there are shops, restaurants, cafés, pubs and other amenities.
Drinks: There are no facilities on site but it is close to the centre of Norwich where there are public toilets.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cow-tower-norwich/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Cotman Fields & Bishopgate, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 4AA, UK

Post Code: NR1 4AA

Council: Norwich

County: Norfolk

Road Access: In Norwich, near cathedral (approx. 1 mile walk)
Bus Access: From surrounding areas.
Train Access: Norwich 1⁄2 mile.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: No parking on site but there is charged short stay parking available at Norwich Railway Station or in a multi-storey car park over the road from the station, next to the Riverside Complex. Both of these are a 10-minute walk from the Cow Tower along the Wensum Riverside Walk which is a 2-mile route through the city centre.