Changing Face of Norwich
- Castle Meadow
We have no photographs of Castle Meadow before the trams when it was known as the Castle Ditches as it did follow the route of the old defensive castle ditch. With the coming of the railways to Thorpe station it became an alternative route for access into the City centre but only via a maze of narrow back streets. All that changed with the cut through to the new Orford Place and the widening of Red Lion street.
This O/S map of 1884 shows how Castle Meadow ended at the courtyard of the Bell Hotel.
In the early 2oth century it was still a mixed commercial and residential thoroughfare
Horses and cariages were very common well into the 20th century
There was just room for two trams to pass providing the hand carts moved out of the way
Widening took place in 1926 by encrouching into the castle gardens
Lower levels of the mound were sliced off
This low wall was removed and a retaining wall built further back
A strangely quiet time. The gates within the new wall were part of the original castle gardens
This early view could show horse drawn cabs or more likely market day with the farmers transport and horses in their traditional place.
