Home to Bethel Police Station and Sir Isaac Sixth Form, Bethel Street in Norwich quietly sits behind The Forum.

Named after Bethel Hospital, one of the first mental health facilities created in the country, this road has a varied history.

In 1960, Bethel Hospital had 122 patients and the asylum was the oldest surviving hospital in the country specifically founded for the care of the mentally ill.

The institution eventually closed in 1995 and is now a residential building in Norwich.

Here we take a look back at life in Bethel Street over the years through photographs from our archives.

READ MORE: The Forum and Norwich Central Library through the years

Norwich Evening News: Bethel Street during the Blitz in 1942Bethel Street during the Blitz in 1942 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: A view over the city showing Bethel Street police station in 1936A view over the city showing Bethel Street police station in 1936 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Bethel Street fire station in Norwich where a crew demonstrate an extending ladder, 1950sBethel Street fire station in Norwich where a crew demonstrate an extending ladder, 1950s (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Evening News: Looking down Bethel Street in the 1930s Looking down Bethel Street in the 1930s (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Norwich Bethel Street, date unknownNorwich Bethel Street, date unknown (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Norwich Bethel Street, 1987Norwich Bethel Street, 1987 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Norwich Bethel Street, date unknownNorwich Bethel Street, date unknown (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Emergency fire tender in 1972Emergency fire tender in 1972 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Norwich Bethel Street, 1936Norwich Bethel Street, 1936 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Norwich Bethel Street, 1987Norwich Bethel Street, 1987 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: An empty Norwich Bethel Street, 1963An empty Norwich Bethel Street, 1963 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Norwich Fire Station in Bethel Street, 1966Norwich Fire Station in Bethel Street, 1966 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Police outside their station in Bethel Street in 1950Police outside their station in Bethel Street in 1950 (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Bethel Street in the mid 1930sBethel Street in the mid 1930s (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Evening News: Firefighters posing outside the Fire Station in Bethel StreetFirefighters posing outside the Fire Station in Bethel Street (Image: Newsquest)