The Undercroft 2025
Exhibition by artists as part of Norwich Fringe Festival
The UndercroftAbout the Undercroft
The Undercroft is a raw and robust, uncurated artspace in the centre of Norwich. It is the space beneath the Memorial Gardens in front of City Hall, St Peter's Street, owned and administered by Norwich City Council and made available to artists at a nominal fee. The entrance to the Undercroft is at the back of the Norwich market, at the Guildhall (north) end of the gardens. The Memorial Gardens are themselves in a prominent position and celebrate the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the 1st World War. The Memorial was designed by Edwin Lutyens, as were the collars on the lamp posts. In 2008, a sculpture to celebrate peace, and the refurbishment of the Memorial (it was turned around to face City Hall) was commissioned and made by eminent Canadian artist, Paul de Monchaux. When the Memorial Gardens were refurbished, the space beneath, which had previously been used as a store for the market traders, was also cleaned up and renovated. It is now used as a city centre arts space and has been increasing in popularity for exhibitions. It now has planning permission for performance which increases its usefulness as an art space in the city centre. The space itself is a blank, with no facilities such as toilets. It has a grey floor and concrete ceiling with no additional decoration, lighting or hanging system. This makes it very flexible and possible for artists and curators to stamp their own identity on it albeit for a short time. It is not open all the time but is managed by whoever has hired it for use and open accordingly. So far, it has housed Bill Viola, Darren Johnstone, and a host of local arts groups. It offers a great blank space for creative minds. If you are interested to book the Undercroft for a three week interval, please contact Clare Hubery at Norwich City Council |
The Undercroft is a raw and robust space found at the back of Norwich Market, under the Memorial Gardens in front of City Hall in the city centre – postcode NR2 1NE.
Owned and managed by Norwich City Council it is made available for artists and groups to curate exhibitions at a minimal charge – contact [email protected]v.uk. The entrance is tucked away down a set of steps – it is Norwich’s stunning secret venue. 
Where is it?It's at the back of the distinctive Norwich market (recognised by stripy coloured stall tops), and in front of City Hall a landmark for the whole city with a tall clocktower which you can see from almost anywhere, and underneath the Memorial Gardens. Many people do not realise it is there.
The entrance is opposite the Guildhall, a flint building with a chequered front. The door is down a short set of steps behind railings. Full address: The Undercroft Gallery,
St Peter's Street, Norwich NR2 1NE 
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