Cow Tower

A brick round gun tower from the late 14th century, one of England’s earliest defensive towers designed specifically for artillery, standing on grass at a river bend.

Cow Tower was built around 1398 as a brick round tower at the northeastern corner of the Norwich city walls. Its walls are about two meters thick, and it is considered one of England’s earliest defensive works designed specifically for gunpowder weapons. The tower has no roof and is managed by English Heritage, so it can only be viewed from the outside. It stands on grass at a bend in the River Wensum, and it works well as part of a riverside walk with Pull’s Ferry and Bishop Bridge. Free to visit.

Opening hours

All day (exterior only)

City walls · Medieval · Riverside walks

Nearby sights

• Pull's Ferry
• Norwich Cathedral
• Dragon Hall
• Elm Hill
• Mousehold Heath & St James' Hill
• Norwich Castle
• Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
• Royal Arcade

Places to eat nearby

• Shiki Japanese Restaurant
• Benoli
• Namaste Village Vegetarian Indian Restaurant
• Benedicts
• The Wildebeest
• The Ingham Swan

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