Elm Hill

is a charming and unique cobbled shopping street near the river Wensum and close to the magnificent Norwich Cathedral. It is one of the oldest parts of the city.

The street was destroyed by a fire in 1507 and was rebuilt in the 16th and 17th century. Most of the present merchants' houses date from that period and our shop is located in one of these.

Elm Hill was named after the elm trees which grew in the square outside the shop. Dutch elm disease unfortunately destroyed most of the elm trees, but now a single plane tree stands in their place and pays homage to them in its magnificence.

In this picturesque part of Norwich, you are welcome to shop, browse, or relax in one of the stunning coffee houses.

In addition to teddy bears, you will find unusual and unique shops selling crafts, jewellery, paintings, antiques and a myriad of knick-knacks and collectables.

Whatever you choose to do, you are assured of our help, advice and good old-fashioned service.

The street is almost traffic-free and car parking is available in the monastery car park just around the corner from The Bear Shop.

The street has one of the largest collections of Tudor buildings anywhere in Britain and is a magnet for photographers, both amateur and professional. We have also featured in numerous TV documentaries and have often been used as a film set, most notably perhaps in the film Stardust where the Britons Arms became the Slaughtered Prince public house. The Netflix film Jingle Jangle was also filmed here in May 2019.

For more information about Elm Hill, we recommend you look at the Visit Norwich website where there is a full history of the street and some interesting and little known facts about the area.

Visit Norwich