
i) From Herbert de Losinga’s 1096 romanesque Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity the route brings pilgrims through the Erpingham Gate (named after the hero of the Battle of Agincourt) opposite the Church of St.George, Tombland, turning north they cross the River Wensum, for the first time at Fye Bridge, once the site of a ducking stool, passing the church of St. Simon and St. Jude on the way.
Continuing north, a left turn at the Church of St. Clement brings them to Colegate. Passing the Congregational Old Meeting House and the Unitarian Octagon Chapel , they come to St.George, Colegate. Opposite St.George’s on the corner of Muspole Street and Colegate is the Gatherers vegan bar and restaurant. Once known as the Woolpack, beams in the downstairs bar may have come from the Prior of Walsingham’s house that once stood on the site.
Continuing on Colegate, pilgrims cross Duke Street to arrive at the Church of St. Michael (St. Miles) , Coslany where the two routes meet.
Find out more about Norwich’s heritage churches on the Medieval Churches of Norwich website and Simon Knott’s Norfolk Churches .Redundant churches are under the care of Norwich Historic Churches Trust . Find working churches at Exploring Norfolk Churches .
ii) From St. John’s Cathedral, pilgrims take the footbridge to cross the Inner Ring Road, turning left in Upper St. Giles to head north on Cow Hill beside St.Giles Churchyard. Then, continuing downhill on Ten Bells Lane, they turn right into St. Benedict’s St. opposite St. Swithun’s Church, now Norwich Arts Centre; heading east on St. Benedict’s St. they pass St.Margaret’s Church, sometimes open for art exhibitions; and turn left down St. Lawrence Little Steps, to cross Westwick St. and continuing north on Coslany St. to cross the river. At the Church of St. Michael (St.Miles), Coslany they turn right in front of the church. At the south-east corner of the churchyard the two routes meet.
iii) On the road together, pilgrims head north down St.Miles’ Alley and Rosemary Lane to enter St. Mary’s Plain by Pykerell’s House: saved from slum clearance and fire bombs in the 20th Century, this 15th century hall house is a rare survival from earlier times. Once the home of a rich merchant it may have had a previous life as a pilgrims hostal. Pykerell’s House was also known as Pilgrims’ Hall. In 19th Century it was the Rosemary Tavern.
The round towered, cruciform, redundant, Church of St. Mary, Coslany is not open to the public but Simon Knott’s Norfolk Church website gives a glimpse inside.
From St. Mary’s Plain we head north on Oak Street past the also redundant St. Martin-at- Oak now the base of the Wharf Academy. Before the Reformation a statue of Our Lady, in an oak tree in the churchyard was much venerated. Perhaps, the present oak in the churchyard is a descendant!
Continuing on Oak St. we pass the White Lion before crossing the Inner Ring Road and the start of the Marriott’s Way .