Friends of Kett's Heights

Please register below for the Kett's Heights free talk on Sunday 20th September 2026

    Kett's Heights - Gasworks workers and gardeners: stories of everyday working lives at Kett’s Heights
     14.30 on Sunday 20th September​
    Followed by an optional tour of Kett’s Heights

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This is part of the national Heritage Open Days events. 

The Friends of Kett’s Heights will be celebrating Heritage Open Days this year with a talk in St Matthew’s Church followed by an optional visit to Kett’s Heights.
Gasworks workers and gardeners: stories of everyday working lives at Kett’s Heights
For over 100 years until the 1960s Norwich people were employed in the gasworks below Kett’s Heights. In this talk we’ll share the memories of the gas workers: the heat and stench of the gas works, and gardening in the peaceful space of Kett’s Heights.
When the Norwich Gas Company acquired the Bishopbridge gasworks site in 1839 they also acquired the steep slopes of Kett’s Heights, which were unsuitable for industrial development. Instead, the area was landscaped to provide pleasure and kitchen gardens for the gas workers. In the 20th century these same gardens helped us “dig for victory” and pigs were kept.
Our talk will tell the stories of local people in their own words and pictures: everyday life at the gasworks (a modern Health and Safety nightmare); and taking a break in the fresh air of Kett’s Heights, perhaps tending to the pineapples in the huge glasshouse or feeding the pigs.
Time: 14.30 on Sunday 20th September
Venue: St Matthew’s Church, Telegraph Lane West, Norwich NR1 4JA

Kett’s Heights is now a valued public park with a not-to-be-missed view over Norwich. The Friends of Kett’s Heights help look after the site and help make it a welcoming and beautiful place to visit.

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St. Matthew's Church. Telegraph Lane West.