On the north-east side of the castle, at the bottom of the hill, stands the Shirehall, erected in 1822, and opened in the following year. It is an imitation of the later period of the pointed style of architecture. The County Assizes and Sessions are held in this building, which by a subterranean passage and ascending shaft, communicates with the castle above. There are two courts, and other convenient rooms. In the Grand Jury Chamber is a full-length portrait of one of Norfolk’s most celebrated worthies—the late Thomas William Coke, Esq., Earl of Leicester; and also one of Lord Wodehouse. Upon the spacious plain, fronting the Shirehall, is held the Annual (Tombland) Fair, which commences on Maunday Thursday, and terminates upon Easter Tuesday. The newly-erected building to the north-west of the Shirehall, is the County Police Station.
The Guildhall is an ancient building, situated at the north-west end of the Market-place, and is used for an assize and sessions court, for a police station, and for the meetings of the Town Council, and various other purposes. The building is an erection of black flint, the cornices, window frames, and battlements being of freestone. Some of the original windows, with flowered points to the cusps, are still remaining; but the greater part are modern, as are also the additions upon the south, where formerly was a chapel dedicated to St. Barbara, in which the prisoners assembled for divine worship; upon the site of this is a porch, ornamented with a gilt figure of Justice. Adjoining the east side is the Police Office. In the front of the building, towards the Market-place, are square panels, with remains of shields and supporters of the time of Henry VIII. The interior is chiefly modern, with the exception of the room called the Mayor’s Council Chamber, which retains much of the furniture of the time of king Henry VIII. It is situated at the east end upon the second floor, and is adorned with half-length portraits of many of the ancient civic notables and benefactors of the city, amongst which will be found Lord Chief Justice Coke, Archbishop Parker, and many others; the full-length portrait on the left side of the entrance is Sir Benjamin Wrench; that on the right is Thomas Emerson, Esq. In the windows is painted glass of various periods. The greatest object of attraction in this room is a glass case, containing the sword of the Spanish Admiral Don Xavier Winthuysen, who died of his wounds at the battle of Cape St. Vincent, February 14th, 1797. It was presented to the corporation of the city by Lord Nelson. Within the case is the letter which accompanied the presentation, and which is in the hand-writing of the great naval chieftain. Opposite this room is the old Common Council Chamber, in which the mayor and magistrates hold a petty sessions daily. It contains fine full-length portraits of Elisha de Hague, Town Clerk, 1825, and other civic worthies.
The Court in which the Assizes are held is upon the ground floor toward the west; and there are several smaller apartments in the building devoted to municipal purposes, in some of which are the regalia of the corporation, including the snap or dragon, formerly carried before the mayor on his election; the gold chains worn by the mayor and sheriffs; the sword of state, presented by St. George’s Company in 1705: a curious mace of silver gilt, with beautiful crystal, presented by Queen Elizabeth; two maces of silver gilt, presented by the Duke of Norfolk and Sir Robert Walpole in 1670 and 1734, with other civic paraphernalia.
St. Andrew’s Hall is a very noble structure, and is in the pointed style of architecture. Its length is 124 feet, and there are two aisles 70 feet broad. The roof is supported by twelve pillars, and there are fourteen windows on each side in the upper tier, and six in the lower, two in the east, and three in the west end, which were formerly decorated with stained glass. Originally there was a handsome steeple in the centre, which fell down in 1812. The Hall is principally used for the festivals, concerts, public meetings, and various other purposes.
The Public Library is opposite the Guildhall. It is a handsome edifice, with Doric portico, and contains about 30,000 volumes, including a valuable collection of books, called the City Library. The library is open from ten in the morning till nine in the evening, except from the first of May till the end of August, when it closes at eight, p.m. There is a reading-room attached for the convenience of readers.
The Corn Exchange is situated in Exchange Street, which commences at the north end of the Gentlemen’s Walk. It is a large structure erected in 1828, at a cost of £6000. It is about 120 feet long, 90 feet broad, and 27 feet high, and is supported by two rows of pillars. The building is principally lighted from the roof. At the east end are portraits of John Culley, Esq., the originator of the building, and Thomas William Coke, of Holkham, afterwards Earl of Leicester, justly regarded as the father of Norfolk agriculture.
The Chamber of Commerce is situated at a short distance from the Corn Exchange. It is a handsome building, ornamented in front by Corinthian columns and pilasters, surmounted by an entablature. It contains a well-supplied Reading-room, which is open to strangers gratuitously.
The Post Office is situated in Post-Office Street, which is approached from the Market-Place, by Exchange Street. It is a convenient though not an attractive-looking building. There are two London deliveries daily.
The Norfolk and Norwich Museum is in St. Andrew’s Broad Street. It is a handsome building, with commanding exterior, erected in 1839. Its contents are varied, extensive, and complete. The birds especially are very numerous, a large portion of them being foreign. The mammalia include many valuable specimens; and one of the largest provincial collections of animals from Australia is to be found within these walls. Amongst the fossils are some rare specimens of animals long since extinct. The shells and minerals are deserving attention, as is also the entomological department. The antiquities exhibit many remarkable articles; the coins and seals are particularly worthy the attention of the curious. There is also a valuable botanical collection, which contains the Herbarium of the eminent botanist, Sir James E. Smith. The Museum is open free every Monday, and on other days visitors are admitted on the production of an order from one of its members.
The Literary Institution. This society occupies several rooms in the same building as the Museum. It contains an excellent and rapidly increasing Library of about 15,000 volumes.