Visit to Norwich

The historic city of Norwich traces its beginnings from the Iceni and Boadicea, via the Vikings, the Normans and the flourishing Middle Ages to the present day. This wealth of history makes it a fascinating and interesting place to visit. Although the emphasis of our visit will be on ceramics, there is much more to see and do. It claims to be the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom with cobbled streets and timbered houses. By the 18C it was the second largest city after London, with long-held bonds with the Netherlands.

On the afternoon of Thursday 19 May, we will visit a private collection close to the A11 to Norwich; it has over 500 pieces of early English porcelain including Bow, Lowestoft, Derby and Worcester.

The next morning, there will be a guided tour of the Cathedral. Founded in 1096, it has the second highest spire after Salisbury and the largest monastic cloisters in the country. This will be followed by a light lunch at the Castle Museum before a tour and handling session with the Curator. The Museum houses the Twining Teapot Gallery, excellent decorative arts galleries with cases of East Anglian ceramics, including Lowestoft, and a Chronological Arts of Living Gallery.

On Saturday 21 May, we will visit the Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia, well known for its studio pottery collection including works by Hans Coper and Lucie Rie. Coffee on arrival will be followed by a conducted tour with Paul Greenhalgh, former Director and author of Ceramics, Art and Civilisation. Our tour will end with a buffet lunch. The Sainsbury Centre has important ethnographica and tribal art collections, as well as works by Francis Bacon, Henry Moore, Jacob Epstein and Alberto Giacometti. Those who wish can visit the spring exhibition Pablo Picasso: The Legacy of Youth.

The cost per head is £85. Accommodation and transport are not included but recommendations will be provided.