A brief history of Keswick Hall

Norwich Teacher Training College (later Keswick Hall College of Education) opened in 1839, in Cathedral Close, in the city of Norwich.

For 145 years, as an independent institution, it provided teachers for schools throughout Britain, and beyond, having a profound influence on countless thousands of children.

For the first century and a quarter the college was for women only. In 1892 it moved to new buildings situated in the central area of Norwich, where it remained until just after the Second World War.

In 1942 the college was bombed in the raids during the 1939-45 war. Undaunted by this the college continued in temporary accommodation and in 1948 moved to Keswick Hall, a Regency building offered by the Gurney family of Norwich. From that time until 1984, the hall was used for teacher training.

The present School of Education and Professional Development is situated on the main University of East Anglia campus. Keswick Hall itself is now occupied by a variety of commercial companies - the student hostels being converted into private residential accomodation.

The plaque below reminds present day visitors to Keswick of the earlier status of this fine building.

The 1898 picture shows early days of Teacher-training in Norwich UK when the college was for women only. It began life in 1839, but the college building shown here and in following photographs was opened in 1892

c.1910
This is the long corridor photographed in the old college which was situated in the central area of Norwich.

c.1910
Students are pictured here in the Common Room. This and other photographs were reproduced at the time as postcards.