h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Norwich has a vast amount of cellars, undercrofts, and tunnels, that are said to exist under the streets. Some of these subterranean structures are well known by local people. The medieval tunnels used for chalk mining under Earlham Road, for example, were once opened for public as a tourist attraction: Coloured lights were brought in, and its streets and chambers were given appealing names, such as Date Lane, Banquet Place, and Garden Lane. The cellars and undercrofts are less well known, but they are, however, interesting, because many of them used to have an entry to the undercrofts of the adjoining buildings. These kinds of undercrofts can be found at Strangers' Hall on Charing Cross, or in Assembly House on Theatre Street.

Structures like this have spurred people to tell tales about their existence or use. According to one tale a tunnel started from the Norman Cathedral and led to somewhere underneath the Samson and Hercules building in Tombland, and monks used to escape through it during the dissolution of monasteries. Another tale tells us that smugglers used a passage that runs between the Compassers on Upper King STreet and Pull's Ferry by the riverside.

Because of their oral nature, these tales are in danger of being lost. Norwich HEART (Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust) is now working on a project, which aims to record these legends, and, later on, they will be published as a booklet and on the Web. If you have a story, then this is your change to get it recorded! We will be happy to receive e-mails on [email protected]. Alternatively you can call us on 01603 305575 for an interview.

Fortunately, perhaps, UEA doesn't have a School of Civil Engineering, or I could see entrepreneurial students, with a professional interest in discovering where the tunnel entrances are, running private tours... or indeed holding interesting parties in the bigger caverns...