Twenty Stories. One Norwich. The City of Stories.
Marking twenty years of championing the city, VisitNorwich presents an ambitious year-long cultural celebration: Twenty Stories. One City. The City of Stories. Written by local guest authors our stories range from medieval rebels and mystics to pioneering reformers, artists, entrepreneurs and unsung heroes, these are the people who shaped Norwich – and whose legacy can still be discovered across the city today.
Margaret Fountaine (1862 – 1940)
Margaret Fountaine began writing her diary at the age of 16- 62 years later she was still writing. Following her death, she bequeathed a box to Norwich Castle under instruction that it couldn’t be opened until 1978. The box revealed 12 volumes of her diaries, plus sketchbooks. As a well-travelled lepidopterist (unusual for the time as a woman), Margaret had drawn larvae and pupae- many of which had been previously undescribed. She also left the museum her 22,000 butterfly collection.
Step Into The Story- a city you don’t just read about, you experience
See some of the Fountaine-Neimy collection in the Natural History Galleries at Norwich Castle Museum & At Gallery. And then head to The Bug Parc in Lenwade (11 miles from Norwich, Wednesday – Sunday and bank holidays, adults from £13.95, children from £11.95) to experience their amazing tropical Butterfly House (and other tropical houses, including bug handling). The large butterfly dome spans 2,700sq ft, a Koi pond and goldfish pond.
There are also plenty of opportunities to spot butterflies across Norfolk– but none more so than Pensthorpe nature reserve (23 miles from Norwich, Monday – Sunday, from £10.95) where there are 700 acres of natural grounds with gardens, play areas, and stunning wildlife. This is a fantastic day out.
Did you know Margaret travelled more widely than any other lepidopterist at that time? She visited Europe, the Middle and Near East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Fiji, Burma, South America, India and Ceylon.
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