Park life: The lost cottages of Earlham Park in Norwich

The photographs come from James and Sonia Chamberlain and many years ago members of their family lived in one of the two cottages near the river and the old bridge. Their neighbours were the Rushes.

Shed tiles at the front, baby near door, a glimpse at the cottages of Earlham Park in Norwich that were pulled down in 1938/39. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

View from Earlham Bridge in 1937. Jay's dad's home. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Charles Chamberlain and his wife Margaret moved from Aylsham to Earlham Park with some of their children and Charles worked at the Makins farm. Jimmy – James’ father – was born in 1912, the youngest of eight children.

He always told the tale of how he, when a toddler, fell into the river and was pulled out of the water by the family dog.

James Chamberlain's dad as a toddler. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

The Chamberlain’s moved to Colney where Charles died in 1942. Jimmy was married by then to Joan Starland, who lived in the cottage by Earlham gates. Her father had been head gardener for the council at Earlham Hall.

Laura Starland outside Earlham Hall in Norwich. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

The Bartram family cottage was opposite St Mary’s Church and Mrs Bartram made tea for the Sunday afternoon cricketers while two sisters, Lavinia and Gardinia Bartlett, lived in a thatched cottage opposite the park gates where flats are now.

Cottages Earlham Park opposite St Marys Church. They were pulled down in 1938/39. Bartram lived there, this little boy (grandson) is Derek Matthews. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Norwich Corporation eventually took over the park, once the private grounds of Earlham Hall, and the properties.

Mrs Bartram's cottage at Earlham Hall, Norwich in 1937. Opposite St Marys Church. She sold teas in summer. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Cottages near Earlham bridge in 1937. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

It was in 1937 when George Plunkett photographed and wrote about Earlham Bridge Cottages, describing their design in detail. The “Churchwarden Gothic” style of the arches and the chimneys which may have come from the Costessey brickfields.

The Norwich Society called for them to be saved but to no avail – they were demolished in the late 1930s.

With thanks to James and Sonia Chamberlain and to Bill Smith for preparing the photographs for publication.

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Cottages in Earlham Park in Norwich in the 1930s. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Cottages on Earlham Park, Norwich near the bridge in 1937. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Earlham Park cottages with St Mary's Church in the background in Norwich in the 1930s. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Cottage opposite Earlham Park gates 1937. Lavinia and Gardenia Bartlett lived there. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)

Flood going toward Earlham Bridge. The building in background is now Spire Hospital. (Image: Chamberlain family collection)