Twenty Stories. One City. The City of Stories.
To mark twenty years of championing the city, VisitNorwich is launching an ambitious year-long cultural celebration: Twenty Stories. One City. The City of Stories.
Beginning on the first day of English Tourism Week, the anniversary series shares twenty extraordinary stories spanning 1,000 years of Norwich history – told by twenty invited guest authors from across the city’s creative and cultural community.
From medieval rebels and mystics to pioneering reformers, artists, entrepreneurs and unsung heroes, these are the people who shaped Norwich – and whose legacy can still be discovered across the city today.
A City You Don’t Just Read About – You Experience.
At the heart of the project is a simple invitation: Step Into The Story.
Each published story on visitnorwich.co.uk will be paired with curated ways to explore that person’s Norwich in real life – from plaques and museums to walking tours, book benches, exhibitions, pubs, performances and lots of free public spaces.
Visitors can:
- In the Royal Arcade view exquisite Art Nouveau design by architect George Skipper– ‘the Gaudi of Norwich’. Free.
- On Elm Hill see the former residence of Margaret Paston who’s surviving 100 private family letters describe the chaotic impact of the Wars of the Roses in medieval England. Free.
- Take a Carrow House tour and learn about Caroline Colman a welfare champion introducing measures for Colman’s Mustard employees over half a century before others.
- Take a moment at the Upper St Giles Book Bench where 50-million bestselling author of Black Beauty Anna Sewell is commemorated. Free.
- Book a ticket to the annual City of Literature Harriet Martineau Lecture – a pioneer known as the first woman sociologist and England’s first female journalist who unrelentingly lobbied for women’s freedom and campaigned against slavery.
- Pay respects at the grave of Edith Cavell, England’s heroic nurse who saved countless lives by helping Allied soldiers to escape Belgium via neutral Holland during WW1. Free.
- Have a pint in The Rumsey Wells the former location of T. Wells & Son where the charismatic Rumsey Wells sold his Edwardian caps ‘as the most expensive in the world’!
By connecting storytelling with physical exploration, VisitNorwich is using its role as the city’s Destination Marketing Organisation to turn heritage into lived experience – encouraging residents and visitors alike to rediscover Norwich, spend time here, and see the city through fresh eyes.
Launch Event: A Teenage Heroine and a Castle Under Siege
The series opens on 13 March with a live poetry performance by local poet Daisy Henwood at the Norwich Book Bench on Gentlemans Walk. Her commissioned piece tells the story of Emma De Gauder, the 16-year-old noblewoman who defended Norwich Castle against the King’s army in 1075.
Emma is just one of the twenty figures featured, alongside names including:
Julian of Norwich, Elizabeth Fry, Harriet Martineau, Pablo Fanque, Edith Cavell, Robert Kett, Caroline Colman, Margaret Fountaine and Sir Thomas Browne.
Stories will be released monthly through to 31 October, many timed to anniversaries or significant cultural dates during the National Year of Reading.
“We are delighted to participate in Twenty Stories, with Daisy Henwood’s poem featured in the project and Daisy being part of the launch event on the first day of English Tourism Week. It’s also brilliantly timed for the National Lottery’s Open Week when anyone presenting a National Lottery ticket, an Instant Win Game or scratch card can enjoy free entry to Norwich Castle on 13 and 14 March.”
Mel March, Senior PR & Marketing Manager, VisitNorwich, said: “Twenty Stories is our way of celebrating 20 years of promoting Norwich – by celebrating the people who made it remarkable in the first place.
“As a Destination Marketing Organisation, our role is not just to tell people that Norwich is special – it’s to give them reasons to come here, explore, stay longer and connect with the city.
“Step Into The Story’ transforms history into something active and accessible. You don’t just read about these people – you can stand where they stood, walk their streets, visit the places that shaped them.
“By contributing a story, response or activation, our partners become part of a year-long celebration that connects Norwich’s past to its present – and brings people into the city to experience it for themselves.”
“I was so pleased to be asked to write a piece about Harriet Martineau. Not only was Harriet a woman ahead of her time, but she was also quite the character and a very positive role model for change. Our annual Harriet Martineau Lecture during the City of Literature Weekend as part of Norfolk & Norwich Festival is a sell out every year- so don’t hesitate to get a ticket if you want to ‘step into the story’. I can highly recommend it!”
Why This Matters Now
Launching during English Tourism Week and the National Year of Reading, Twenty Stories reinforces Norwich’s established identity as a City of Stories – not as a slogan, but as a lived reality.
With tourism contributing over £801m annually to the local Norwich economy, VisitNorwich continues to position culture, creativity and heritage as drivers of sustainable visitor growth, community pride and city-centre vitality.
