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Last week, I researched the Battle of Bunker Hill, from the British perspective.

As part of my exploration of Julian of Norwich, I began to dream about traveling there.

First, though, I would want to read her work rather than just learn about it as I did in the previous post.

Julian of Norwich wrote what we now call Revelations of Divine Love around 1400, although it wasn’t published until 1670. The work is considered to be the oldest surviving writing known to be by a woman in the English language.

Both the age of the writing and the topic have challenges for me as a reader. It would take some discipline or structure to get myself to do that work.

Here’s a travel fantasy that would keep me much closer to home. The Order of Julian of Norwich, a contemplative monastic order of the Episcopal Church, invites guests to be in silent retreat in their community in White Lake, Wisconsin in the north part of the state. That’s a little over an eight-hour drive from the St. Louis area. But I’ve been through that area a couple of times to reach the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so this wouldn’t be an unprecedented adventure.

A quiet retreat in a monastery could provide the perfect setting to read the works of Julian of Norwich in preparation for a trip to England.

Norwich is an ancient cathedral city in  East Anglia, the largest city in the county of Norfolk. Norwich is a destination if you want to study medieval architecture. Besides the cathedral, we can see Norwich Castle, multiple churches, several half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, and five medieval bridges crossing the picturesque River Wensum.

Getting To Norwich

There are direct trains from London’s Liverpool Street Station to Norwich. It will take a little less than two hours and there are multiple trains a day to choose from.

We’ll arrive at the Norwich Railway Station, previously called Norwich Thorpe and still referred to by that name by the locals. The current grand Victorian building was opened in 1886.

By Hugh Llewelyn – Norwich ThorpeUploaded by Oxyman, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Staying In Norwich

When I’m engaged in fantasy travel, I ignore the cost. I look for accommodation in the ideal location and with luxurious appointments. For my fantasy trip to Norwich, I’ll stay at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed and Breakfast.

Here is the description from their website:

Built in 1700 for the Gurney family, 38 St Giles is a historic and elegant property that has played host to a fascinating past, including being the home of a former Lord Mayor of Norwich. Its discreet entrance, tucked just off St Giles Street, offers an unmatched sense of privacy and intimacy. Located in the heart of Norwich, we are the city’s most centrally located boutique accommodation. A short stroll from the largest outdoor covered marketplace in the UK and adjacent to ‘The Lanes’—a historic district with over 200 independent retailers—our location is ideal for exploring this fine city.

What to See in Norwich

From 38 St. Giles, Norwich Cathedral is a ten-minute walk and we’ll pass Norwich Castle on the way, so those two will be high on my list.

Norwich Cathedral by James Sillett

Another historic building, Dragon Hall, houses the National Centre for Writing with regular workshops and events to attend. If we were there this weekend, we could listen to poet Jackie Kay who has been the Makar, the National Poet of Scotland. Dragon Hall is about a15-minute walk from my chosen accommodation.

A modern building called The Forum houses the public library on one side and BBC studios on the other. I love visiting libraries, so I’ll want to check out The Forum. The Forum is just around the block from 38 St. Giles.

The Forum also houses the American Library, a collection and permanent exhibit devoted to the 2^nd Air Division of the 8^th United States Army Air Forces who were based locally during World War II.

By Geni – Photo by user:geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Let’s not forget that my main reason for traveling to Norwich is to follow in the footsteps of Julian of Norwich. Her anchoress cell was attached to St. Julian’s Church. Her cell was demolished in the 1500s during the Reformation. The church itself was destroyed during the Norwich Blitz in World War II. The rebuilt church includes a cell, believed to be on the site of the original, that serves as the Julian Shrine. Here’s a video showing the outside and inside of the church, which is about a 15-minute walk from 38 St. Giles in the same general direction as Dragon Hall.

What do you think? Do you want to add Norwich to your itinerary for your next trip to England?