Culture in Norwich: Carrow House & The Forgotten Vaults Tour
16 March 2026
Culture in Norwich: Carrow House & The Forgotten Vaults Tour
Whether you’re visiting the City of Stories or a Norwich native, there really is no better way to learn about the city than with a tour. And with The Shoebox Experiences’ brand-new Carrow House and the Forgotten Vaults tour, now you can experience the long-lasting legacy of Norwich’s history even more.
From fascinating tales of the Colman family to a hidden street, eye-catching architecture and atmospheric underground spaces rarely seen by the public, there’s plenty to pique your curiosity.
Here we speak to Experience Host Max Darbyshire to find out more about The Shoebox Experiences latest tour, the work that goes into them and a tale from Norwich’s history that may surprise you!
There are so many fascinating facts to find out with a Shoebox Experiences walking tour
Congratulations on the launch of your latest tour! Tell us about Carrow House and the Forgotten Vaults.
Thank you! We’re incredibly proud of our Carrow House tour and thrilled to finally offer the public a chance to explore the former home of one of Norwich’s most influential families.
Carrow House and the Forgotten Vaults guides visitors through the grand residence of the Colman family, whose mustard became a global staple throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The family lived there until the 1920s, and the building later served as offices until 2018, meaning this is the first time since its construction in 1865 that the public can properly explore it! On the tour, we discuss the beginnings of the mustard business, the people who drove its success, and how it grew from a small mill into an international enterprise. The experience concludes with a rare look into the vast vaults and cellars beneath the house.
Who can and when can we join you on the tour?
Tours usually run on selected weekdays and weekends- availability is listed on our website.
Anyone interested in the house or its history is welcome, but the tour does involve a number of stairs and, unfortunately, the building has no lift. As long as accessibility isn’t an issue, we’d be delighted to have you join us! (This tour often gets sold out but more tickets are added each month.)
There’s more to the Colmans than meets the eye- find out about this famous mustard family
Norwich is packed with incredible history and beautiful architecture- how did you decide Carrow House would be where your next tour takes place?
Norwich Unity Hub approached us and invited us to lead tours of their remarkable building. We were honoured to be asked and excited to be trusted with sharing such an important piece of Norwich’s story. It was an opportunity we knew we couldn’t pass up.
Why is the Colman family such an important part of Norwich’s history?
The Colmans shaped both local and global history. Their mustard became one of the region’s most successful products and was popular across Europe – famously purchased by several royal families. Their advertisements appeared everywhere from London’s busy streets to the jungles of Myanmar.
More importantly, the family were noted philanthropists who cared deeply for their workforce. They created a school, a medical centre, housing, a cafeteria, pensions and even funeral care for employees. This “cradle to grave” ethos fostered remarkable loyalty, and although a few Victorian businesses had similar practices, it remained rare. Their commitment left a lasting legacy on the people of Norwich.
How much research do you do before launching a tour? How do you choose what to include?
Research for each tour takes months and involves books, online resources, archive visits, interviews, borrowed documents and insight from local history enthusiasts.
Once we’ve gathered everything, we sort through the material to find what best serves the story. This process includes trial runs and ongoing refinement. Often, even after tours begin, new information continues to surface, allowing the tour to evolve. Our team is made up of guides with varied historical interests, so each guide may emphasise different elements – meaning every tour takes on a slightly different spin!
Chances are the tour will be a little different each time thanks to Shoebox’s brilliant and engaging guides
What makes The Shoebox Experiences’ tours stand out?
What sets The Shoebox Experiences apart is that all profits are reinvested into community projects delivered by our amazing team at The Shoebox Enterprises. As a not-for-profit CIC, we run hubs, clubs and groups that support connection and wellbeing, from craft sessions to coffee mornings.
A portion of the Carrow House tour revenue also goes directly to Norwich Unity Hub to support ongoing building upkeep.
We put great care into crafting tours that appeal to both visitors and locals, ensuring Norwich’s important history continues to be shared.
For Norwich first timers, which Shoebox tour do you recommend?
Our range of walking tours are a wonderful introduction to the city. They highlight key locations such as Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral, Elm Hill and many of Norwich’s most atmospheric streets, giving newcomers a sense of how the city formed and how its often-riotous history unfolded. Locals accompanying visitors also enjoy these tours, as we include plenty of lesser-known stories.
For a reliable all-weather option, our daily Norwich’s Hidden Street Tour offers a fascinating look at what lies beneath the city and its 15th century architecture – and remains a firm favourite among residents too.
Have you explored Norwich’s hidden underground street?
And for locals?
As I’ve already mentioned, our underground Hidden Street Tour has proven especially popular with local residents.
It reveals a rarely seen part of Norwich’s medieval past and explores the city’s weaving and shoe-making heritage, its crime and punishment stories and the lively behaviour of its historical citizens. Many lifelong residents tell us they learn things they never knew, which is always a delight to hear.
Finally, what’s your favourite lesser-known tale about Norwich?
One of my favourite stories is how Norwich became the only city in Western European history to be entirely excommunicated from the Catholic Church!
In 1272, mistreatment by cathedral clergy led to growing unrest – excessive taxes, land seizures, and violence enforced by hired muscle from Great Yarmouth. Matters escalated when a cathedral worker shot a citizen with a crossbow, sparking a full confrontation.
After ongoing clashes, the Sheriff of Norwich called the townspeople to attack the cathedral, resulting in the deaths of many clergy members and the burning of buildings. Although the townspeople felt justified, both the King and the Pope were outraged. Norwich was excommunicated and ordered to make amends, including building the beautiful Ethelbert Gate, which still stands today. It’s a far cry from the peaceful image the city holds now!
To discover more incredible stories about Norwich’s past, you can book tickets to The Shoebox Experiences’ new Carrow House & The Forgotten Vaults tour, their Hidden Street Tour and more via their website! Prices start at £8.50 for children and £16.50 for adults.
