St Andrew's Hall

St Andrew's Hall in Norwich is a medieval hall in the city centre, once the nave of a Dominican friary church and today one of the most atmospheric event venues in Norfolk. Together with its neighbour, Blackfriars' Hall, it forms a complex that is Grade I listed and protected as a scheduled monument.

What is St Andrew's Hall?

The hall is the large preaching nave of the former church of the Black Friars, as the Dominicans were known. The chancel next to it, once reserved for the friars themselves, is now Blackfriars' Hall. The two buildings are usually described together as St Andrew's and Blackfriars' Halls, and they have been owned by the city ever since the Reformation.

How did the site begin?

A mid-13th-century order known as the Friars of the Sack first settled here. The Dominicans, or Order of Preachers, took over the site by royal licence in 1307. Sources differ slightly on the details: another account places the Dominicans' arrival in Norwich as early as 1226 and treats this site as a separate foundation from their original parish settlement.

The first church was destroyed by fire in 1413. The building you can see today is essentially the work of the years 1440 to 1470, with a spacious nave for preaching and a separate chancel for the friars.

What happened after the Reformation?

During the Reformation the Norwich City Corporation bought the buildings. The chancel became a chapel, while the nave was converted into a common hall. From 1544 St Andrew's Hall was used for civic occasions, and from 1819 it hosted major public meetings.

The chancel also had a second life. After 1565 it was used by Flemish religious refugees, who held their last service there in 1929.

Who performed here?

The hall has a strong musical tradition. In the 19th century the singer Jenny Lind performed in St Andrew's Hall, and in 1936 Benjamin Britten performed there too. The space still suits concerts well, thanks to its generous proportions.

What is it used for today?

The halls remain the property of the city and are used for conferences, weddings, concerts, beer festivals and meetings. Visiting for an event is the easiest way to see the interior, so it is worth checking the programme before you travel.

Practical information

• Location: Norwich, Norfolk, England (approximately 52.631, 1.296).
• Status: Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.
• Best for: history and architecture lovers, concert-goers and anyone planning a wedding or large event in a historic setting.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Andrew's Hall the same as Blackfriars' Hall? No. They are two parts of the same former Dominican church: St Andrew's Hall is the nave, Blackfriars' Hall is the chancel.

How old is it? The surviving building dates essentially from 1440 to 1470, after an earlier church burned down in 1413.

Can you visit? The halls host many public events, such as concerts and beer festivals, and are also hired for weddings and conferences. Access depends on what is scheduled.

Why is it important? It is a rare surviving friary church in England that has stayed in continuous public use, first as a civic hall and now as an event venue.