Man on a skateboard
Skater Boy by Dave Kingdom​ © Historic England Archive HEC01/128/02/07/03
Skater Boy by Dave Kingdom​ © Historic England Archive HEC01/128/02/07/03

Picturing Norwich

Three winning photographs of Norwich high street life, selected from over 100 entries to the Picturing Norwich competition, went on display in a major exhibition at The Forum, Norwich, in June 2023. 

These evocative pictures of the high street were taken by the people of Norwich and join the Picturing High Streets national collection telling the stories behind our shopfronts. 

Three winners and seven runners up were chosen by a panel of expert judges including: 

  • Isabel Johnson, Head of Marketing at Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) 
  • Maanik Chadda, Trustee of Norfolk & Norwich Festival
  • Natalie Jode, Executive Director of Creative Arts East
  • Tamsin Silvey, Cultural Programme Curator at Historic England. 

The judges have shared their reflections on how these images celebrate what makes Norwich special, from high street heroes to favourite hang outs and meeting places, and the historic features and buildings that give the city its unique character. 

Picturing Norwich collection

The three winning Norwich photographs and seven runners up have entered Historic England’s Archive, the nation’s archive for England’s historic buildings, archaeology and social history as part of the new Picturing High Streets national photography collection.

View the collection

Take a look at the Picturing Norwich winning images below:

Hope – The Garnet by Elliott Mulhall

This contemporary take captures many of Norwich’s key landmarks, showcases the vast Norfolk sky, and celebrates the convivial and convening role of the public house in 2023.
Natalie Jode, Executive Director Creative Arts East

Skater Boy by Dave Kingdom

St Peter's Street has become a significant place of expression for Norwich residents in recent years. Although it has long been a place for celebratory gatherings - from the Lord Mayor's procession to the start of the Pride parade - more recently, protests, vigils and other forms of solidarity have brought people together here.

For me, this image - so meticulously framed - depicts the rebellious and carefree approach to what our high street means today, particularly to younger people. I'm grateful to those who choose to use their high street for what they feel is important to them and I feel proud to live in a city full of compassion and creativity.
Maanik Chadda, Trustee of Norfolk & Norwich Festival

Gateway to History by Duncan Gaskin

This photo was chosen for its summary of what’s so special about Norwich’s High Street: the blend of old and new. Here we see Tombland and some of its businesses, captured beautifully through The Erpingham gate, which is over 600 years old. The judges also loved the light in this photo, and the way the gate and crossing frame the overall image.
Isabel Johnson, Head of Marketing Norwich Business Improvement District (BID)

Runners-up

Runners-up

Please click on the gallery images to enlarge.

Street vendor booth selling food and drinks Black and white image of someone sitting on the ground outside a supermarket A woman holding a small dog standing under an archway which is covered with images which have been painted on it. Night image of a building lit up in rainbow colours Row of pigeons on a street rail A row of metal chairs in front of a shop window People walking in a street reflected in a shop window

More about Picturing High Streets

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Supported by

Norfolk and Norwich Festival
Creative Arts East
The Forum
Norwich BID