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Cow Tower

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A cylindrical brick tower built in the late 14th century as part of the defenses of Norwich. Cow Tower is one of the earliest artillery blockhouses in England. The time of the construction, brick was seldom used in major building work; indeed, Cow Tower may be the first major brick building in England. The tower replaced an earlier toll house attached to a 13th century Benedictine monastery.

By 1378 the toll house was considered ruinous, and the site was converted into an artillery tower to form part of the city's defences. The tower provided 12 gun ports, though the small size of the gun ports indicates that they could only have been used for handheld guns. Larger guns would have been placed atop the roof so that they could fire through gaps in the parapet.

The tower stands 15 metres high and has an internal diameter of about 7 metres.

This is an open site, accessible at any time.
Norwich, Norfolk, England

About Cow Tower
Attraction Type: Historic Property
Location: Accessible at any time. Located north east of the cathedral.
Website: Cow Tower
English Heritage
Location map
OS TG240091
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Norwich Cathedral - 0.3 miles (Cathedral) Hungate Medieval Art - 0.5 miles (Museum) Norwich Castle - 0.6 miles (Castle) Venta Icenorum - 3.6 miles (Roman) Hoveton Hall Gardens - 8.2 miles (Garden) Fairhaven Garden - 8.6 miles (Garden) Wymondham Abbey - 9.5 miles (Abbey) Irstead St Michaels Church - 10.5 miles (Church)

Nearest Towns and Villages Norwich - 0.5 miles away Caistor St Edmunds - 3.2 miles away Brundall - 5.4 miles away Salhouse - 5.7 miles away Wroxham - 6.4 miles away Coltishall - 7.3 miles away Ranworth - 8.1 miles away Wymondham - 9.2 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Cow Tower

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

The Moorings - 3.7 miles from Cow Tower Bramerton, Norfolk Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £465

Oak Tree Barn - 11 miles from Cow Tower Swanton Abbot, Norfolk Sleeps: 7 Stay from: £400

The Bothy - 11.2 miles from Cow Tower Loddon, Norfolk Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £240

More Self Catering near Cow Tower

Nearest Hotels

Central Hotel - 0.3 miles from Cow Tower Norwich, Norfolk Stay from: £35.00

Norwich Nelson City Centre Premier Inn - 0.4 miles from Cow Tower Norwich, Norfolk Stay from: £69.00

Norwich Apartment Pigg Lane - 0.4 miles from Cow Tower Norwich, Norfolk Stay from: £65.00

More Hotels near Cow Tower

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Aylwyne House - 0.9 miles from Cow Tower Norwich, Norfolk From: £70.00

Beaufort Lodge - 1.3 miles from Cow Tower Norwich, Norfolk From: £55.00

Wensum Guest House - 1.6 miles from Cow Tower Norwich, Norfolk From: £33.00

More bed and breakfasts near Cow Tower

Norwich
Tourist Information Centre
The Forum
Millennium Plain
Norwich
Norfolk
England
NR2 1TF
Tel: 01603 213999
Fax: 01603 765389
Email: tourism@norwich.gov.uk
Web: http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/
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