Pulls Ferry, Norwich facts for kids

Pulls Ferry today, a historic landmark in Norwich.

Pulls Ferry as it looked in 1851, showing its long history.

Pulls Ferry is a very old and interesting building in Norwich, Norfolk, located right by the River Wensum. It used to be a ferry house, which is a building where people would manage a ferry crossing. This special building is made of flint stone and was once a "watergate" from the 1400s. A watergate is like a gate or entrance that opens onto a river or canal.

Pulls Ferry played a big role in building the famous Norwich Cathedral. It was the main way that heavy stone for the cathedral was brought in.

A Gateway for Cathedral Stone

The stone used to build Norwich Cathedral came all the way from a place called Caen in France. It traveled by ship across the sea and then up the River Yare and the River Wensum. When the stone reached Pulls Ferry, it was unloaded.

How Stone Arrived

Monks from the cathedral actually built a special canal that ran right under the archway of Pulls Ferry. This allowed boats carrying the stone and other building materials to pass through. The Normans, who were building the cathedral, would then unload these materials right there. It was like a special delivery entrance for the cathedral's construction!

The Story Behind the Name

The building we know as Pulls Ferry today got its name from a man named John Pull. He was the person who ran the ferry service across the River Wensum for many years.

John Pull's Ferry Service

John Pull operated the ferry from 1796 until 1841. Before his time, the building was known by a different name, "Sandling's," after an earlier ferry operator from the 1600s. The ferry service continued to run for a very long time, finally stopping in 1943.

Building and Restoration

The ferry house, which is the part of the building next to the old watergate arch, was built in 1647. This means it's also a very old structure!

Keeping History Alive

After many years, both the ferry house and the ancient archway needed some care. They were carefully restored in 1948 and 1949. This important work was done by an architect named Cecil Upcher, helping to preserve this historic landmark for future generations.