Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 20/06/2026 18:27:00

The Halls is a Grade I listed medieval friary complex in the heart of Norwich, comprising St Andrew's Hall, Blackfriars' Hall and a series of smaller spaces. Owned and run by Norwich City Council, it serves as a multi-use cultural venue for concerts, exhibitions, conferences and community events. Made up of magnificent flint buildings dating from the 14th century, the complex is the most complete medieval friary surviving in England. St Andrew's Hall is its centrepiece, and the name by which many people refer to the whole site, with Blackfriars' Hall as the second-largest space. St Andrew's Hall is a breathtaking medieval space with soaring beams, vibrant stained glass and original features, suited to large conferences, concerts, banquets and exhibitions, holding up to around 900 standing or 767 seated. The warmer, more intimate Blackfriars' Hall caters for mid-sized events of up to around 370. Smaller spaces, including an atmospheric crypt and Becket's Chapel, allow the venue to host everything from intimate gatherings of twenty to grand celebrations for hundreds. This range makes it adaptable to receptions, lectures, networking events and performances of many kinds. Following a major restoration funded through the Towns Deal Fund, Arts Council England and the council, the venue reopened in spring 2026 with upgraded audio-visual technology, improved accessibility and refreshed social and hospitality areas. The Norfolk and Norwich Festival was among the first to programme events in the revitalised halls. Sitting at the historic heart of the city, the Halls combines protected heritage with modern facilities to host arts, cultural and community events for the people of Norwich. Its careful revival has secured one of the city's great medieval landmarks as a working venue for years to come.