in the beginning

The Rumsey hasn’t always been a real ale boozer, in fact its namesake Mr Rumsey Wells was a mighty fine cap maker, and bonefide Norwich legend no less.

Thomas Wells, born June 23rd, 1841, was by 1879, senior partner in the firm of T. Wells & Son, who were manufacturing hats and caps for the wholesale and retail trade in a three-storey building at No. 19 St. Andrew‘s Hill, just around the corner. They manufactured a wide variety of millinery wear and supplied best-class establishments throughout the country. Thomas Wells won a plethora of prize medals for his outstanding headpieces, and was the first maker of sporting caps suitable for hunting, racing, bicycling, boating, riding, smoking, shooting or travelling; all the rage at the time, no doubt.

Young Thomas then had a son, Herbert Rumsey Wells. Born in 1877 at Hellesdon, he became a partner in the business in 1904, by which time the firm had moved to number 4 St. Andrew‘s Street (now the Rumsey Wells), and this is where Mr Herbert Rumsey came into his own. Being quite the character, modelling elegant whiskers, fine hats, a cloak, and immaculate shirts and ties his presence was soon well known in our fine city. 

The Wells’ also sold embroidered badges, club, school and regimental colours in ribbons, ties and sashes, clerical felt hats, birettas, and vestments from Norwich silk. This we know to be true from the constant stream of our dear punters recalling to us that they had their school uniforms made at the Rumsey.

We like to think we have been inspired in our innovative approach, as the Rumsey Wells of yesteryear was not slow to introduce new styles into his headgear. Caps gradually became fuller in the front, at the sides, and eventually all round. With the advent of the motor car came the flat, circular-topped cap with its padded lining, and that is when Rumsey Wells got the chance to design his famous ‘Doggie‘ caps which became known all over the world. The first were called the ‘Brancaster’ and the ‘Blofield’. During the First World War Wells produced the first semi-soft service cap for officers, and after the war, the ‘Westwick’ and the ‘Conesford’.

Service, quality and humour were the trademarks of the original business which, in 1935, was advertising its caps as the most expensive in the world. Mr Rumsey said,

‘No other capmaker, except my grandfather and father, properly ‘finished’ a cap by putting a row of stitching at the edge of the cap. This finish is one of the distinguishing features of a ‘Doggie‘ cap and enables it to be put on and raised from the head like a bowler hat.’

An ingenious and indefatigable self-publicist, Rumsey liked to produce booklets and pamphlets extolling the virtues of his hats and caps and telling a little of the story of Norwich and its silk industry. In 1919 he wrote,

‘A customer, travelling over from South Africa, arrived alone at Cairo, not knowing a soul. After a bath and change he put on his cap I had made for him, and took a walk. Seeing another man on the other side of the street, -he walked up to him, clapped him on the back, saying ‘I don‘t know who the blazes you are, sir, but you are wearing a Wells’ cap, so dammit come and have a drink.’

Old Herbert, aka Mr Rumsey Wells died in 1937 but the business continued until 1974 would you believe.

in the middle

It was at this point, 1974, that big changes occurred at No. 4 St Andrews Street, and its illustrious history as a boozer began. First known as the Shrub House, a ‘proper’ boozer of time we are told, it went on to be known as the Blueberry for a short period, before becoming the Rumsey Wells.

This however changed again sometime in the 1980’s we believe, when yet another name change occurred, resulting in St Andrews Tavern. This by all accounts was a great little boozer for a time run by some of Norwich’s ‘celebrity’ publicans such as John Craft and Colin Keatley. The steam however just seemed to come to halt for the St Andrews Tavern as it entered the 21st century and the place struggled to survive as its former self; a proper real ale boozer.

in the end

And this brings us nicely into the present, 2010. Well, to be precise in its foundations, it was in 2008, that, rescued from closure, the premise was given its old name, a lick of paint, and a new idenitity.

Alongside being a lifelong ambition to be involved in the trade, realising the potential of The Rumsey quickly became a passion, as did bringing something new to Norwich, and working day and night we refurbished the Rumsey with our own fair hands, and with a little help from our friends of course. Gaining full support from our local brewery Adnams, a transformation occurred, and so we find ourselves in the modern day Rumsey Wells. And very happy we are to be here too!

From the outset our aim was to offer a great selection of premium beers, wines and spirits, kept well, and sold by knowledgeable and passionate staff in a friendly and forward thinking environment. These original goals have been realised with the Rumsey continuing to offer great local ales, often 7 on tap at a time, a good range of foreign beers, bottled and on draft and an exceptional spirit range for a humble boozer, with not a drop of 'house' in sight.

Excellent locally sourced food delivered by means of a seasonal menu is accompanied by more entertainment than you can shake a stick at, wit live music every thursday, every other Tuesday and quite often in between, and DJ's at weekends, with a great regular crowd. Most importantly we have done our very best to cultivate a truly indpendent spirit behind the scenes and maintain the continual pursuit of new and exciting stuff to put on at the Rumsey, resulting in it having a little something for everyone, we hope!

Check out our what's going on page to see if there is anything that tickles your fancy?