Step into Dragon Hall, home to centuries of stories
National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall is rooted in Norwich’s communities and open to the world.
Our year-round programme invites you to connect with, celebrate, and feel inspired by words, books and ideas.
Our weekly visitor drop-in hours run Sunday and Monday, 10am–3pm.
Visit our What’s On page to view our public programme of events, guided tours, workshops and activities for adults, families and communities.
Our Writers’ Room is open on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year. Click here for more information.
Dragon Hall entrance
The entrance to Dragon Hall is on King Street, opposite the Butterfly Café.
Once subdivided into domestic and commercial dwellings and even the site of a Butcher’s Shop in the 1950s, our welcome space houses an information and box office kiosk, shop, and lots of free activities for you to complete during your visit.
Drop-in for a chat with our friendly City of Literature Volunteers, book tickets, ask questions, and find out more about how you can get involved with National Centre for Writing.
Great Hall
The Great Hall is the jewel in the crown of our medieval site.
It was built in around 1427 by Robert Toppes, a prominent local merchant, as a business complex to display, store and sell Norfolk goods and imports from Europe and beyond. It is thought to be unique in being the only such trading hall in Northern Europe owned by one man.
Today, visitors are free to explore the unique history and architectural features of Dragon Hall, including its impressive crown post roof, Victorian wallpaper, witches’ marks, and hidden dragon. This space is also regularly used for NCW events and community gatherings.
The Garden
Tucked away from view between King Street and the river, our garden is one of the only quiet, green spaces in the city centre. Stop by to eat your lunch, read a book, admire our herb garden, or find inspiration using our nature trails (for children and adults!).
The Gallery
Dragon Hall’s glass gallery offers a beautiful view of our walled garden. It’s the perfect spot for some quiet reading or writing when the weather is cooler and features some important features of historical interest, such as the Great Arch. You’ll also find our lending library cart here.
Workshop space
This room used to be a rectory linked to St Julian’s Church between 1935 and 1975. It is now the location of our regular drop-in community activities — from colouring in and crafts for children, to stitching and craft workshops for older people.
The Writers’ Room
Your place to write in Norwich!
The Writers’ Room contains free, bookable desk space on Thursdays and Fridays each week, providing a retreat in the city for use by writers, artists and creatives.
Writers can expect an inspiring and quiet environment, accompanied by a warm welcome and support from NCW staff and volunteers.
Desks are ideal for writers aged 18+ to book for solo-based working in the city. They are available on a first come first served basis, and you are required to book in advance.
Freemen’s Education Room
Our education space, built as part of our capital work in 2018, hosts all manner of creative activities, from school visits to creative writing workshops. It is equipped with a digital interactive whiteboard and livestreaming facilities, and has level access out into the garden.
Community kitchen
Our community kitchen is available to local groups, including refugee and asylum seekers, so that they can get involved with cookery and story-telling sessions; enabling them to mingle, make friends and find support through making and sharing food.
The Cottage
The Dragon Hall Cottage is our accommodation for writers and translators in residence. The cottage dates from the late 19th century; originally, it was the family home for the head brewer from the former brewery next door to Dragon Hall.
We can host up to two residents in the Cottage at a time. You can find out more about our residents, residency opportunities and Dragon Hall Retreats by clicking the button below. You can also meet our writers and translators in residence in person at monthly Dragon Hall Socials.
A happy place to get together.
Our weekly visitor drop-in hours run Sunday and Monday, 10am–3pm.
Visit our What’s On page to view our public programme of events, guided tours, workshops and activities for adults, families and communities.
Our Writers’ Room is open on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year. Click here for more information.
Find us at National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall, 115–123 King Street, Norwich, NR1 1QE.
We are a short walk from Norwich train station and local bus routes. Find out more here.
Visit our What’s On page to view our public programme of events, guided tours, workshops and activities for adults, families and communities.
More about your visit
