The Literature House, Dragon Hall, is the physical home of National Centre for Writing and the centrepiece of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature: a place of storytelling and story making dedicated to the development of writing, new and emerging writers and literary translators, and the power of words and ideas to connect communities and shape our futures.
Housed in Dragon Hall, a Grade I Listed Medieval trading hall, the Literature House shares the stories of Norwich’s literary heritage, connects Norwich to the global UNESCO Cities of Literature network, and shapes the stories of tomorrow, today.
Dragon Hall Summertime
Explore, create and discover this summer!
Step inside one of Norwich’s most iconic medieval landmarks and let your imagination run wild. As the home of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, we invite you to pick up a trail map, marvel at the historic Great Hall, or relax in our enclosed garden. There’s inspiration around every corner.
Our weekly visitor drop-in hours run Sunday and Monday, 10am–3pm. Drop in and say hello!
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.
Public spaces
Dragon Hall is one of Norwich’s most significant medieval buildings and is open year-round for visitors. Explore our welcome area, workshop spaces, Writers’ Rooms, Great Hall and enclosed garden, and discover centuries of stories and numerous features of historic interest.
Heritage
Dragon Hall has a fascinating and colourful history. Starting life as a medieval trading hall, since then has been through many changes. Parts of our home date back event further, including archaeological evidence of Anglo-Saxon dwellings.
Listen to our audio tour
Explore the story of Dragon Hall with our audio tour. Scan QR codes on your phone as you travel through the building to discover its rich history and many roles.
Free things to do
Our site is free to visit. Drop-in to discover the fascinating stories of the people who have lived and worked within its walls for hundreds of years. Draw inspiration from self-led trails, displays and creative writing prompts that are suitable for adults and children alike.
Our story
National Centre for Writing is rooted in Norwich and open to the world. A contemporary literature house in a 15th century medieval trading hall, today we exchange stories and perspectives under the same vaulted beams and in the shadow of those who traded textiles and spices in 1430.
Plan your visit
National Centre for Writing is located in the heart of Norwich city centre by the river, and is easily accessible by foot and by public transport. Plan your visit with our guide to the local area, including transport and nearby attractions, as well as full details on accessibility on site.
A Place of Sanctuary
NCW has been awarded Place of Sanctuary status in recognition of its dedication to supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals fleeing violence and persecution. This prestigious designation underscores NCW’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and creative space for all members of the community.
Key initiatives include:
- Family welcome days and creative writing workshops for young women and families.
- Refugee Week events, including community feasts.
- Regular food hygiene courses in Dragon Hall’s refurbished community kitchen.
Story Makers
A Digital Exhibition
Who lived at Dragon Hall? What have these old walls witnessed? Whose story hasn’t yet been told? These are the questions that formed the foundation of a project undertaken by the Story Makers, a group of a participants that generously gave their time and skills to discover, share and celebrate Dragon Hall’s heritage.
Combining historical research and creative practice, the Story Makers spent ten sessions engaging with Dragon Hall and the surrounding King Street area in a variety of ways, before using their creative skills to produce personal interpretations of the history they uncovered.
From poems to pamphlets, videos to pop-up books, we invite you to explore their work in our digital collection.
Support Dragon Hall
Your generous donation will help keep our beautiful medieval home open to all.
Access
We want to ensure that Dragon Hall is open and accessible for all.
The site is largely wheelchair accessible and is equipped with two raising platform lifts, disabled access toilets, hearing loop facilities and some dimmable lighting. Due to age and layout, the Cottage is not wheelchair accessible.
Click below for details on parking, access into the building, a breakdown of terrain, facilities, ticketing and concessions, and more.
The NCW team are here to help and are happy to answer any questions you may have about your visit to us. You can email [email protected] or call us on 01603 877177.
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.
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