Heartsease Estate, Norwich

The Heartsease is a housing estate located in Norwich, Norfolk and takes its name from the heartsease a common European wild flower.

The estate is approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north-east of the city centre and is bounded by Heartsease Lane to the west, Woodside Road to the east, Plumstead Road B1140 and Salhouse Road form the southern and northern boundaries respectively.

Heartsease estate was originally agricultural land close to Mousehold Heath. At the beginning of the 20th century it was used by the Norfolk Regiment as a drill ground. In October, 1914 it was taken over by the Royal Flying Corps to become RAF Mousehold Heath. By 1933, it became the first Norwich Airport, however by WW2 it had fallen into disuse. Several local companies manufacturing aircraft were based at the aerodrome including Boulton and Paul.

Work began building the estate after WW2 and was completed by the mid 1950s. Much of the housing is terraced, mixed with two-storey blocks of flats and maisonettes. With the addition of three tower blocks built in the 1960s and some infilling in the subsequent years.

The church is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and was designed by J P Chaplin and opened in 1957. Located in the centre of the estate at Rider Haggard Road, the church frontage is adorned with a bronze sculpture depicting St Francis.

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