Elm Hill, Norwich (must see)

There are no elms in Elm Hill. The neighborhood acquired its name from the elm trees planted there in the 16th century by the Churchwardens of St. Peter Hungate Church. Because there is Dutch elm disease in the UK, there has been no effort to bring back elms to Elm Hill.

There is some evidence of settlement around Elm Hill as far back as 1200. Almost all of Elm Hill was destroyed by fire. The early Tudor Britons Arms is the only surviving building that dates before 1507. Elm Hill extends from the Church of St. Peter Hungate at Princes Street to the Church if St. Simon and St. Jude at Wensum Street.

The north side of of Elm Hill is parallel to the river Wensum. This area once was the location of wealthy merchant houses and their quays. The river was a busy commercial thoroughfare in the 15th and 16th centuries. Barges carried raw materials and finished products to and from the city.

In 1927 the Norwich corporation carried out a renovation project in Elm Hill aimed at preserving the original medieval appearance of the cobble stone streets and landmark Tudor tiered buildings. The Stranger's Club, the Pettus House, the Tea House in Wrights Court and the Dormouse Bookshop are recommended for a visit.