Cow Tower, Norwich (Norwich)

Introduction

One of the earliest purpose-built artillery blockhouses in England, this brick tower was built in c.1398-9 to command a strategic point in Norwich's city defence. 

History to the present day

One of the earliest purpose-built artillery blockhouses in England, Cow Tower was built in 1398-9 to control a strategic point in Norwich's city defences.

The tower was intended to house guns and a garrison of gunners to defend the approach to the city across the River Wensum. Its height of nearly fifty feet was necessary to overlook the high ground on the opposite bank.

Built with widely splayed gun ports, the tower was suitable for the recently developed cannon while the 'arrow loops' could still be used for crossbows and small guns. The tower was built as an addition to the defences already encircling medieval Norwich.

The walls of the tower were built with a core of mortared flint rubble, faced internally and externally with brick, with external stone dressings. The ground floor may have been a communal dining room when the tower was garrisoned, with sleeping quarters on the upper two levels.

It seems likely that the origin of the tower's name is derived from the surrounding meadow, previously known as Cowholme. 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Cow Tower, Norwich, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

All year

Any reasonable time

Mon - Sun

 

Admission prices:

 

Adult:Free

Children:Free

Concession:Free

 

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.