A Video Tour

Take a tour of The Assembly House and its fascinating history courtesy of historian Roxanne Matthews – who leads our monthly free tours of the House– and videographer Shaun Lawson.

The Assembly House has been a focal point for people across the county of Norfolk for hundreds of years, from its beginnings in the 13th century fields of post-Norman Norwich to the Georgian development of the site by architect Thomas Ivory to the present day.

In the heart of Norwich, the landmark building has played host to a chapel college, a mansion house for the well-to-do, a lodging hostel, a venue for grand assemblies, a school, a YMCA and YWCA hostel, a World War Two camouflage unit, a chocolate store room, an arts centre to the present day, as an award-winning restaurant, event space and hotel.

It has narrowly survived Blitz and a devastating fire and from grand balls and virtuoso performances to jugglers and acrobats, its captivating narrative unfolds with a diverse ensemble of lay-clerks and dignitaries, lords and barons, dancers and performers, painters and philanthropists and, of course the people of Norwich.