We have a fantastic programme of textile and craft activities taking place at Dragon Hall, from felt making taster days to contemporary knitting courses and book binding. Full details can be found in the attached leaflet. Early booking is advisable as our courses are popular and places are limited. Textile Courses Leaflet 2010-2011.pdf
Guided tours and walks
King Street Leisure and Industry Walks: A century of change 1910-2010
Wednesdays, 2pm. August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 1, 8
Discover stories of the river, housing, pubs and commerce on a guided walk of the King Street area. Consider the changes wrought in this part of Norwich by wartime bombing, town planning and urban regeneration.
Admission to Dragon Hall is included in the price of £5.00 adults, £4.20 concesssions. No need to book, just come in to reception.
Walks last up to 90 minutes and are guided by a volunteer interpreter. Walkers should have a reasonable degree of fitness and come equipped for the weather!
Visitors intending to view the building are encouraged to arrive at 1pm to allow plenty of time to join the walk at 2pm.
Guided Tours of Dragon Hall
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm
Guided tours of the magnificent historic building led by knowledgeable and experienced guides, drawn from the pool of enthusiastic volunteers of the Norfolk and Norwich Heritage Trust. They will share their detailed knowledge of the building and its history and answer any queries that crop up during the afternoon.
Included in normal admission charges
SUMMER FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Step into a Story at Dragon Hall
Every week throughout the summer we have a week of activities based on a different themed story, inspired by the people and history of Dragon Hall.
Step into a new story each week and discover a range of craft activities, trails, dressing up and more. One day of each week will be a special hands-on day with extra things to see and do and stuff to make and take home.
Normal admission prices apply, except for the special activity days which cost a little bit more to cover materials and additional activities.
We have a lovely garden at Dragon Hall and you are welcome to bring a picnic or packed lunch to enjoy whilst you are here.
Monday 16 - Friday 20 August 10am – 4pm (last admissions for activities 3pm) Quest for the Dragon’s Hoard Calling all you brave knights and plucky princesses ... Enemy of the city, Tolbert Rottes, is threatening to steal the hoard of loot collected during the Mayor’s Procession. Snap the Dragon is hiding in Dragon Hall, protecting the hoard of cash. Follow the quest, complete the tasks to find Snap, defeat Rottes and collect your reward. As an extra treat come dressed as a knight or a princess and collect a gold coin on arrival
Included in normal admission charges.
Wednesday 18 August 10am – 4pm (last admissions for activities 3pm) Teddy Tabards!
Bring your teddy to Dragon Hall and create a knight's tabard for ted and for yourself, then picnic together in our beautiful garden.
Family ticket £20 (2 adults and up to 3 children), Adult £4.50, Child £5, Senior £3.50
Monday 23 - Friday 27 August 10am – 4pm (last admissions for activities 3pm) Pestilence and Plague! It’s 1625 and the bubonic plague has returned to Norwich. Throughout the week help the residents of Dragon Hall find a cure for all those irritating pimples and pustules. Make your own mask to protect you from the miasma in the streets, sweet smelling posy bags, tinctures, and potions to soak away the stink of the City!
Included in normal admission charges.
Wednesday 25 August 10am – 4pm (last admissions for activities 3pm) Aromas and Remedies Meet our very own wise woman to learn all about the medicinal magic of the medieval garden. Part of a series of special family activities at Dragon Hall throughout the summer.
Family ticket £20 (2 adults and up to 3 children), Adult £4.50, Child £5, Senior £3.50 Monday 30 August -Friday 3 September 10am – 4pm (last admissions for activities 3pm) Dig Deeper: archaeological antics Hunt through the Hall to find out how objects buried for centuries are unearthed and can explain the past to the present.
Included in normal admission charge
Wednesday 1 September
Archaeology Day
Family ticket £20 (2 adults and up to 3 children), Adult £4.50, Child £5, Senior £3.50
SEPTEMBER
Thursday 2 September 7.30pm The Magician’s Box performed by Mad Dogs and Englishmen Theatre Company Mad Dogs & Englishmen take you on an incredible journey through the Victorian Kaleidoscope of turbulence and prosperity that was the industrial revolution. John Joseph Mechi, inventor, agricultural reformist and visionary is brought to life in a fast, imaginative and clever production. Meet Charles Dickens, Elihu Burritt and the Hardy-esque characters that form ‘The Magician’s Box’. Commissioned by Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree to celebrate their 125th anniversary. Don’t miss this award winning company. Cost:£12/£10 concessions. Available from Dragon Hall reception during opening hours, or call 01603 663922.
Wednesday 8 September, evening, £39.50 per person
Heritage Moveable Feast
The Heritage Moveable Feast is a once in a year chance to enjoy fantastic food and wine in the unique surroundings of three of Norwich’s key heritage buildings, all in one evening - Dragon Hall, the Great Hospital and the Assembly House. You can choose to start your heritage feasting experience at any of the three venues. The routes are colour coded so simply choose your preferred route and call The Assembly House on 01603 626 402 to make your booking. A choice of menus is offered, including vegetarian options. Wine and soft drinks are available to buy at each venue.
Wednesday 15 September 7.30pm
Spinning Through Time
Spinning expert Val Bryant looks at the social history of spinning, from its beginnings in the Middle Ages to the present day. Presenting extensive research into National Trust and Royal Collection Trust spinning wheels, Val will also have one or two spinning wheels of special importance on display. Audience members are invited to bring along any photographs or examples of early wheels which could be added to the research.
Cost:£5/£4 members of The Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust
Wednesday 22 September 7.30pm
All Tucked Up – The Story of Witney Blankets
Witney blankets are the world's most famous brand of bedcovering. This talk will look at what made them special, why they achieved world wide fame and how they came to be made in the Cotswold town of Witney. It will also examine the effects of the industry upon a small market town and look at the social side of working in the mills. With Norfolk Museums Development Officer Jamie Everitt.
Cost: £5/£4 members of The Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust.
Wednesday 29 September 7.30pm The Chief Seat of The Chief Manufacture of The Realm: An introduction to The Norwich Textiles Industry Surveying the once-mighty Norwich textiles industry from its early days to the 'glory years' of the mid 18th century, this talk will provide a fascinating introduction to the 'stuffs' for which Norwich was renowned, along with other types of textiles woven in Norwich. It will describe the complex and closely integrated group of trades which together produced desirable and distinctive cloths such as callimancos and taboretts, destined for places as far flung as China, Russia, New England, Italy, Holland and Scandinavia. With Cathy Terry, Curator of Social History at Strangers Hall Museum.
Cost: £5/£4 members of The Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust.
OCTOBER
Saturday 9 October, 10 am - 5 pm
Little Vintage Lover Fair
Vintage Clothing and Collectors' Fair, c 1880s to 1980s
This event was buzzing when we held it in March. Another chance to kit yourself out in vintage outfits and accessories from 30 different stallholders. Tea and cakes also available, served on vintage crockery.
£2 admission, under 16s free
Saturday 16 October, 10.30 am start
'Flushwork & Fire Engines' - Annual Church Crawl
Historian Kate Smith leads a tour around 5 churches in North Suffolk, starting at 10.30 am in Worlingworth and taking in Tannington, Dennington, Badingham and Laxfield.
Cost: £5. Tickets available in person from Dragon Hall reception or on 01603 663922. Pub lunch available at extra charge.
Sunday 24, Tuesday 26, Thursday 28 and Sunday 31 October 2pm Guided Tours of Dragon Hall Guided tour of the magnificent historic building led by knowledgeable and experienced guides, drawn from the pool of enthusiastic volunteers of the Norfolk and Norwich Heritage Trust. They will share their detailed knowledge of the building and its history and answer any queries that crop up during the afternoon. Included in normal admission charges
NOVEMBER
Saturday 6 November, 10am - 5pm
Eastern Artisans
An annual market, showcasing the best of quality arts, crafts and design from the Eastern region. Includes glassware, ceramics, textiles and jewellery from new and established makers and artists.
A few stalls are still available - artists and craftmakers are invited to apply to Dragon Hall to take part.
£2.50 admission
Wednesday 10 November 7.30pm
Medieval Wall Paintings in English Churches
Today surviving medieval wall paintings are a rarity. Less than ten per cent of English churches contain any remains of their early decoration and, in most cases, these remains are mere fragments of once much larger schemes. Yet, to our ancestors, the people who built and worshiped in these churches, the sometimes gaudy and brightly painted decoration was the norm. In recent years the study of medieval wall paintings has undergone a considerable revival. New techniques and new technologies have allowed archaeologists and art historians to study the faded images of the medieval world and finally reveal many of their secrets. Matthew Champion is a freelance archaeological editor.
Cost: £5/£4 members of The Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust
Saturday 13 November 9.30am - 5pm
Eastern Region Textile Forum: Concepts & Meanings
The ERTF annual conference will take an innovative look at how differing art practitioners view their work, from the functional to the spiritual. For further information and to book your place visit www.ertf.org.uk.
Cost: £52.50/£35 members
Further information on all events is available from Dragon Hall, 01603 663 922 www.dragonhall.org
Profits from all events help towards the upkeep of this ancient building
Are you looking for somewhere special to hold a wedding, a party or celebration this year?
Dragon Hall is available to hire and is a stunning venue that makes any event very special.
For further information contact us 01603 663922
www.dragonhall.org
If you would like a Dragon Hall volunteer to visit your group, club or organisation to give a tailor-made talk, see We Come to You.£52.50/£35 members
Monday 25 to Friday 29 October 10am-3pm
The Big Draw Bumper Family Fun Week
Draw it! Colour it! Make it! Wear it! Read it! Something to keep little fingers busy in every room of Dragon Hall.
Tuesday 26 or Thursday 28 October 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm
THE BIG DRAW
Mark Your Mark: Medieval Painting Workshop
A chance for budding young artists to join us for a 2 hr 30 min workshop and learn how to paint and produce a masterpiece just like a medieval artist. Prepare your board, sketch the amazing architecture of Dragon Hall and mix medieval pigments and unusual ingredients to make your own paint. Suitable for children aged 10-15 years (maximum of 10 per session).
Cost: Participants pay £10 (£8 Family Members of the Norfolk & Norwich Heritage Trust) for the workshop, which includes FREE ADMISSION to Dragon Hall. Please book in advance.
