St James Mill

W had to take his car in to Norwich for a service and MOT, so we took the opportunity for a walk along the River Wensum.

It really is a lovely walk, with such a variety of things to see, ancient and modern, vegetable and animal.  And we couldn't have asked for better weather in October - I carried a coat, but never felt it necessary to put it on over my T shirt.

This splendid example of industrial revolution architecture is St James Mill.  It was built between 1836 and 1839 as a weaving mill, with looms powered by a steam engine.  In the early 20th century, it was sold to Jarrolds for use as a printing works.  It then had a brief period as a chocolate factory (Caleys) and as a training facility for WW1 veterans.  It is now converted to offices, used by Jarrolds Head Office and other businesses.

It was built on the site of a Carmelite Friary, and there are still bits of the friary to be seen.  We saw them last time we did this walk (back in February 2016) but we didn't cross the river to look at them today.


We also enjoyed looking at buildings along Quayside, and admired the variety of different trees, and an Egyptian goose.