Thorpe Hamlet

Thorpe Hamlet is a residential ward situated directly east of the city centre, across the River Wensum. Its boundaries are largely defined by the river to the west and the railway line to the east. The area is characterised by a mix of Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing, alongside some modern developments and converted industrial buildings. It functions primarily as a commuter area for the city, with a significant student population due to its proximity to the University of East Anglia.

The ward contains several light industrial estates and the large Riverside Leisure Centre complex. A notable feature is the expanse of the former railway marshalling yards, now largely overgrown and forming a distinctive green corridor through the urban landscape. Thorpe Hamlet maintains a local high street with independent shops and pubs, serving the immediate community. The riverside paths along the Wensum provide pedestrian and cycle routes directly into Norwich city centre.