Designed by architect Thomas Ivory, the charming red-brick Assembly House is an 18th-century Georgian venue, hotel, restaurant and arts centre. In days of old, the Grade I listed building was originally the site of a 13th-century hospital and a college and church for priests. The structure we see today has hosted countless notable events including a display of Madame Tussaud’s waxworks in 1825 and a piano concert by Hungarian Romantic composer Franz Liszt in 1840. These days, The Assembly House is famous in the community for the restaurant’s legendary Afternoon Teas, creative exhibitions, exquisite weddings, as well as intimate classical concerts.
Just a stone’s throw from the marketplace, Assembly House is located right in the heart of Norwich. With Theatre Royal right around the corner and The Cathedral of St John The Baptist a short walk away, it is really easy to find. The nearest train station is Norwich Station and the closest bus stops are Theatre Street and Red Lion Street. Additionally, the venue has two accessible parking spaces on Chantry Road, where there is also complimentary parking available for overnight guests of the hotel. Since its a heritage site, only guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome in its facilities and if you have mobility issues, there are manual and electric wheelchairs available to rent.
Facts, Curiosities and Interesting Things about The Assembly House
1. Who owns the Assembly House?
The historic venue is owned by The Assembly House Trust, a registered arts charity. Its main responsibilities lie in preserving the venue, promoting the creative arts and supporting the local community. Led by six Trustees, the Trust has offered use of the venue’s spaces for events, restored the building’s wooden floors and the West Wing, redecorated the Stone Hall and converted the East Wing into a lavish bed and breakfast, among other projects.
2. But its commercial functions are operated by The House (Norwich) Ltd
Through its directors, renowned Chef Richard Hughes and developer Iain Wilson, The Assembly House today is also a thriving business, boasting a stylish restaurant and a 15 bedroom hotel. The chef’s name might ring a bell to some. He is a notable cook, whose career began as a 15-year-old in the kitchen of The Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth. Since opening his first restaurant Number 24 in Wymondham in 1991, he has worked in acclaimed restaurants, made multiple TV appearances and is also a member of the prestigious Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.
3. Accolades and awards
Thanks to its lavish interiors, thoughtfully curated menus and top-notch hospitality, The Assembly House has received numerous awards and accolades by some of the most respected tourism institutions and publications in the region and country, including the following:
- 2015 Outstanding Front of House Team, EDP Norfolk Food Awards
- 2016 Best Small Hotel of the Year, Norfolk Tourism Awards
- 2018 Best Independent Marketing Campaign, Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards
- 2023 Food and Drinks Experience, Norfolk Magazine
- 2023-2024 Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year, East of England Tourism Awards
Candlelight concerts at The Assembly House
The House is a great supporter of the arts, continuously hosting exhibitions and classical concerts for local art lovers. In such manner, it also frequently welcomes the captivating Candlelight tributes that recreate famous songs in the classical form. As you sit in an enchanting venue, illuminated solely by a sea of twinkling candles, you can rediscover some of your favourite artists, from contemporary icons like Taylor Swift and Coldplay to timeless greats such as Vivaldi. It’s a breathtaking spectacle you won’t want to miss.
What else can you do at The Assembly House?
Besides these mesmerising concerts and the luxury rooms, The Assembly House is best known for its scrumptious, four-tiered Afternoon Tea. Between noon and 3:30pm, you can order picture-perfect sweet and savoury options in the house’s dining room, or instead choose the Cakeaway and take it to go. If you’re looking for a delicious way to start your day, breakfast is served from 09:00 to 11:30.
What’s more, the venue’s opulent chandeliers and warm tones make it a sought-after space for weddings, special celebrations and corporate events. And sometimes, there are free guided tours of the building offered that require prior arrangement.
The Assembly House is the perfect spot for a fun outing with the family, your dream wedding or your next artistic endeavour. Given that it beautifully combines history and stunning architecture, on Thursdays it welcomes the enchanting Candlelight concerts that offer a unique take on classical music.