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Citizen September 2025 - text version - Chapelfield’s bandstand to be carefully restored
Chapelfield bandstand gets a new lease of life
We are delighted to announce that our much-loved Chapelfield Bandstand will have a full revamp, thanks to over £300,000 in funding from Historic England.
This iconic structure, located in the heart of Chapelfield Gardens, has been a cornerstone of these gardens for over a century and now it will get the love and care it truly deserves. The renovation will include the replacement of rotten timbers, a brand-new deck, refreshed flower beds, and restored steps.
A stage worth saving
Originally built in 1899 to replace a pagoda designed by the celebrated firm Barnard, Bishop and Barnard, the bandstand has long been a gathering place for music, theatre, and celebration. It has played host to performances for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and countless community events, making it a beloved symbol of Norwich’s creative spirit.
A park steeped in history
Set within the historic Chapelfield Gardens, the bandstand is part of a rich tapestry of local heritage. Chapelfield Gardens sits close to what is now the city centre, the triangular site occupies the north-west boundary, and enclosed by roads on all sides: Chapel Field North, Chapel Field East and Chapel Field Road to the south-west, along which the ruins of the old city wall still survive.
The gardens themselves date back to 1655, and today we still use the original walks laid out in 1746, designed by George Alden Stevens.
The gardens remain the earliest surviving ornamental public open space in Norwich, according to the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
The park also features two other notable buildings: a brick and tile refreshment shelter built on the footprint of the original pagoda, and a refreshment pavilion–now a charming restaurant–under a cedar shingle roof.
This renovation is a celebration of Norwich’s heritage and ensures the bandstand will continue to be a stage for joy, creativity, and community for generations to come.
