Cow Hill
Cow Hill Cow Hill runs from
Pottergate to St Giles’ Street. The carriageways of
this and neighbouring Willow Lane retained their cobbled
paving until the end of 1925, when they were covered with
a thick layer of asphalt. Holkham House, a short distance
along to the right, is mentioned in his History of St
Giles’ Parish by Sir Peter Eade, who noted that
it was then (1886) divided into three tenements occupied
respectively by Mr Read, Mr Stevens and Mr Brock. He also
stated that it was “previously occupied and built by
Mr Patience, who called his residence ‘Holkham
House’ from its resemblance in miniature to Holkham
Hall”.However, writing in Norfolk Archaeology Volume 32 about the architect Robert Brettingham (1696-1786), Mr A. Paget Baggs says “In about 1740 he owned the property now known as Holkham House, Cow Hill, and it is probable that the building was designed by him or his brother Matthew”. He also mentions John Thomas Patience, describing him as an “architect and City Surveyor. Early in his career he was living at Holkham House, Cow Hill, but later he moved to 3, York Place”. One of the outstanding features of Holkham House is a very fine ceiling of moulded plaster. Cow Yard, like the hill itself, obtained its name from the sign of the Red Cow, a public house standing in 1760 on the site now occupied by the parish hall. At the back of the yard, behind Holkham House, stood the little cottage illustrated, with its partly leaded casements and a commodious dormer giving light and additional space to the attic. The garden (not a common feature of old Norwich yards) gave it an almost rural appearance, but all was cleared away under an improvement scheme. Text and photographs Copyright © G.A.F.Plunkett 2001 |