Site of an inn from at least 1287.

Previously named the MOLDE FISH
and the MURTEL FISH
and MATHILDES HEAD.

"A carved representation of this somewhat unrecognisable member of the finny tribe will be found over the fireplace in the smoking room."

The MAYDE'S HEDDE is recorded from 1472 when John Paston wrote to "Mestress Margret Paston, or to John Paston Esquier, or to Roose dwylling afoor there gate", regarding a visitor who would "tarye at Norwich the whylys, it were best to sette hys horse at the Maydes Hedde, and I shall be content for their expences."

Francis Lovell was required to make a personal appearance before Henry Lord Cromwell and Nathaniel Bacon at the house of Richard Baker, the Maides Head, March 21st 1586.

This was a meeting place for Royalists, but in 1643 the Parliamentarians `took prize of the horses of Dame Paston, which were stabled here'.


Advertised 27th September 1749 as an ancient large and commodious inn to be let. `Apply to Robert Harvey Esq. at the said house'.

James Bray advised 1st November 1749, that he had removed from the THREE TUNS and had taken the Maids Head.

Address 1783 as Cook Street,
1796 as at St. Simons,
1802 as 1 Fye Bridge Street.
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Meeting place of Masonic Lodge 85 on the third Tuesday of the month - 1783
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One of 40 houses named as being engaged for the Reception of Freeholders for Sir John Woodhouse and Sir Edward Astley's Friends on the Day of Election, Wednesday 14th April 1784.

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Offered for sale 23rd July 1785.
Consisting of an excellent large Room, very proper for any Public Entertainments, also a large Dining Room adjoining, Twenty two Bed Chambers, Four Parlours (three of which are next to street), Convenient Bar, Larder and Kitchens, a very good Cellar, under the large Room, with others under the House, good Stalled and other Stables, that will hold upwards of one Hundred Horses, with Coach houses and Yard to set Carriages.
N.B. the MACHINE and EXPEDITION to London set up at the said Inn.

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The estate of the Coltishall Brewery was sold here 21st May 1796 in 28 lots.

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One of 36 Norwich houses opened for the reception of Voters in the interest of Mr. Windham and Mr. Coke on election day Thursday 13th November 1806.
The name of the Hundred for which the house was appropriated was to be displayed at each house.

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The Annual Main of Cocks, between the Gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk, held here 8th, 9th & 10th March 1831. Ten Pounds a Battle and One Hundred Pounds the Main.
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Advertised 16th August 1834 - To Let.
"For many years in the occupation of Mr. W. Webster, deceased.
Enquire of Mrs. Webster, on the premises.

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Mrs. Maria Howell, widow of the late William Webster, advised that she had retired from the business and Mr. Howell was about to take the situation. 4th October 1834.

Edward Howell thanked his friends, 21st February 1835, for the liberal support already received since he had taken the Inn.
His Opening Dinner was fixed for Wednesday 25th February 1835. Tickets 7s 6d each.

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To let November 1839
Cheap and free of any Brewer
Commodious and Old-established Family Hotel & Posting House.
Well situated and the rates very moderate.

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To Let with Immediate Possession, March 1845.
The whole having lately been put into thorough repair.

To Let at a Low Rent April 1845.
Featuring the largest Ball and Concert Room attached to any Inn in the city.

To Let at a Low Rent May 1845.
The adjacency of the Inn to the intended new Terminus of the Norwich and Brandon Railway would render a most eligible occupation.

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On the 3rd January 1847 the Mayor's Officer entered the premises and seized four dozen bottles of port wine under a warrant from the Magistrates for the sum of £3 18s 6d against Charles Gittings for unpaid Church Rates. Owner Mr. Wortley successfully argued that the property was his and not that of his manager.
Part of his success was because the hearing was heard in the court of the County of Norfolk and not in the court of the City of Norwich.

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The Norwich Glee and Catch Club met her on the evening of Tuesday 4th April 1848.
With Mr. Church at the piano-forte the programme contained a very good selection of glees, catches, duets and choruses. The instrumental performers were under the direction of former trumpet-sergeant major of the 8th Hussars, Mr. Warner and comprised the following pieces:-  `Holyrood Waltzes', `March', `After many roving years' and `Shades of the Heroes'.
Mr. Warner played a solo on his cornet and after a `Finale', the company separated.

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For sale by Auction Monday 4th August 1851
Comprising large bar, eight sitting-rooms, 20 bed-rooms, three taps, large Assembly room and convenient offices, with carriage and harness houses, stabling for 100 horses, yards and premises belonging thereto. Occupants under notice to quit Michaelmas 1851. Freehold.

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It is recorded that Walter Rye (1843 - 1929) purchased the interest that Edward Webster had in the house in order to prevent the house being leased to a `big brewer, who intended to turn the house into a commercial inn, with a coloured glass bar, a billiard room, and the rest of it, in fact the whole place was to be spoiled, and no longer be a refuge for those who like peace and quiet and old surroundings'

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The MAIDS HEAD TAP is given with separate address' and licensees in 1842, 1854, 1856, 1858 & 1859.

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An application was made Saturday 22nd August 1891, by Frank Pomeroy, for a music, singing and dancing licence for events to be held between 2:00 pm to 2:00 am. Granted.


The Westminster Gazette of June 1894 said...
`Few hostelries are so rich in historic associations. There in olden days have the Orfords, Walpoles, Howards, Wodehouses, and other Norfolk Notables stayed, while society of all kinds have kept high festival. The oaken beams and mullioned windows in the room where good Queen Bess slept in 1578 may be seen, as also a wide fifteenth century fireplace'.

In 1898 a wholesale Wine & Spirit business was run from the premises by Henry L. Clark. An invoice dated Christmas 1898 was made out to William Forster of Aylsham. The items billed included £10/15/6d outstanding from a previous account. For the period October 1st 1898 to November 26th 1898 the further sum of £2/6/0d was due, being for a combination of Dinners at 4/-, Pilsner at 6d and Sherry at 6d,
Bailing (? for the horse ?) at 1/6d.

Headquarters of the 43rd and 44th Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry in January 1900
(raised by the Suffolk Hussars).

The building has a Georgian frontage and ` Tudor ' facade to Wensum Street which was added later.
The City Of Norwich Plan 1945 criticised the building.