Case 13 – The Drill House, Great Yarmouth

History

The Drill House on York Road, Great Yarmouth, is a striking Grade II listed building that was originally constructed in 1867 as the headquarters of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Designed by architect J. T. Bottle, it was built during a period when volunteer military units were expanding across Britain and required dedicated drill halls for training, administration, and the storage of equipment. The building consisted of a large central drill hall, a residential section for military staff, and additional offices and storerooms.

Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Drill House was used by various volunteer and territorial military units based in Great Yarmouth. Contemporary accounts described it as an impressive facility, featuring a vast drill hall measuring approximately 120 feet by 64 feet, with a single-span roof designed for military exercises and training. The building played an important role in the town's military history, supporting local regiments and volunteer forces for many decades.

Following the decline of its military use, the building found a new purpose as a community venue. In 2012, it became the home of Out There Arts, a charity dedicated to circus and street arts. Significant restoration and redevelopment work, including a £1 million investment completed in 2016, transformed the former drill hall into a modern cultural and performance space while preserving its historic character. Today, The Drill House serves as a centre for creativity, training, performances, community events, and the internationally recognised Out There Festival, ensuring this important Victorian landmark remains at the heart of Great Yarmouth's cultural life.

Our investigation