March 2026 updates

Update 1 — New benches, a path and safer boundaries

Last summer, the Friends of The Dell secured a Love Norwich grant to purchase and install three new benches at the site, including a picnic table giving visitors somewhere to sit and enjoy the space.

The group then designed and laid a circular woodchip path connecting the new seating areas, creating a more welcoming route through the Dell.

We also repaired damaged fencing along the site's southern boundary to improve safety.

A big thank you to everyone who raised this through the consultation.

Update 2 — Coppicing, community feedback and what's coming next

Last autumn, volunteers from the Norwich Fringe Project and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) spent a day coppicing and pollarding trees along the woodland edge. The work lets more sunlight into the site, improves sight lines, and makes the Dell a safer, more welcoming place to visit — with benefits for wildlife too.

The Friends of The Dell have kindly shared some of the feedback they've received on the improvements so far:

"I think the improvements to the Dell have been a breath of fresh air... The tone of the park has entirely changed for the better. I've seen visitors having picnics there, I occasionally practise Tai Chi there — things that were never seen until now."

"The work that you and the comrades are doing in the Dell is wonderful and has improved the look and feel of the green space. I/we would suggest that as a result there has been an increase in use of the space."

"I believe it to be a fabulous improvement which enhances the natural environment and the visual amenity of our stretch of Earlham Road... it shows everyone what can be achieved and serves as a reminder that the march of urbanisation and destruction of natural habitat can be resisted."

"The new path is attractive and opens up the space — a huge improvement. As is the additional seating and table. The Dell now looks cared for and welcoming."

Looking ahead, we have some exciting plans in the pipeline - including tree planting and a community street art project. Watch this space!