A Concise History and Directory of the City of Norwich for 1811

Norwich, in its present state, is said to occupy more ground comparatively with its population than any city in the kingdom being much interspersed with gardens and it is frequently stiled a city in an orchard its shape is irregular and may not unaptly be compared to a shoulder of mutton it is full one mile and a half in length and a mile and quarter broad. It contains thirty four churches and a number of chapels and meeting houses besides the cathedral, it has five bridges over the river, it was formerly nearly surrounded with a wall planted with forty two towers and had twelve gates the former is dilapidated the latter within a few years have been taken down.