(35) 6 Ninham’s Court Undercroft
Updated 04/04/2020
NUMBER 6 NINHAM’S COURT
The house above the undercroft dates from the 16th century. It belongs to Norwich City Council and has been unoccupied for many years and is in a poor condition.
It was for many years the home of Nugent Monck, the founder of the Maddermarket Theatre.
The undercroft dates from the 15th century and is constructed of brick and is still covered with lime plaster in many places. It has a complex three bay L-shaped plan with single order, diagonal and apex ribs. It contains idiosyncratic cross-ribbing in the two north/south bays, allowing for entrances and openings.
The original entrance was in the north-east corner of the south bay and there is a side chamber on the west side.
The east bay has diagonal ribs with additional cross-ribs.
There is a small opening in the vault (now blocked) that was probably connected with a ladder entry, and there is a garderobe shaft in the west wall. There are also several lighting niches. The undercroft is positioned away from the street line.
Access is from inside the house down a flight of stone steps and is empty apart from an old wine rack. It is quite spacious and the walls and vaulting are in relatively good condition. It is not open to the public.
The condition of the building is being monitored through joint formal inspection between NPS and the NCC conservation officer every 6 months and the involvement of NPT has begun. It is to be hoped that further decay is prevented and that the building is soon restored to use.
The Map