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People often forget about Norwich. It’s the UK’s most easternly city, tucked away in the heart of East Anglia, and it isn’t an obvious travel destination.
But to miss Norwich would be to miss out on an amazing experience. Norwich is the most complete Medieval city in the UK, home to two cathedrals, and it has an incredible arts and music scene just for good measure. It’s only two hours from London by train, which makes it a great spot for a day trip or a longer weekend break from the Big City too.
Norwich is the gateway to the Norfolk Broads, one of the most interesting National Parks in the UK. So when it comes to things to do in Norwich, you really are spoiled for choice.
To help you navigate your way around this small but perfectly formed city, here is the definitive list of things you should see and do in Norwich. My hometown, and possibly one of my favorite places in the world, is going to blow you away.
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- Visit Norwich Castle
- Take a walk
- Explore the Cathedrals of Norwich
- Afternoon Tea in the Assembly House
- Catch a show at the Norwich Puppet Theatre
- Get a taste of the countryside in Whitlingham Country Park
- Admire the art at the Sainsbury Center For Visual Arts
- Learn more about Norwich at the Strangers’ Hall
Visit Norwich Castle
At the very top of my list of things to do in Norwich is visiting Norwich Castle. This is a blocky Norman castle on top of a small hill in the heart of the city. It was built 900 years ago and dominates the skyline, making it both easy to access and easy to find.
The castle is currently undergoing extensive renovation to the original castle keep, but it’s still open to visitors. There is an excellent gallery dedicated to Boudicca and the Romans that’s well worth visiting. Boudicca, the Iceni Queen, was, of course, from East Anglia.
Travel tip: If you’re on a budget, visit the Castle at the end of the day. You can get a ‘twilight ticket’ which gives admission to the site for one hour before closing for just £2.50.
Other galleries are dedicated to archaeology, natural history and fine art, and you’ll even find a small Egyptian gallery with a complete mummy.
If you’re looking for things to do in Norwich with kids, then you definitely shouldn’t overlook the castle. It boasts regular events exclusively for children, and interactive learning is standard practice here. Children can take a treasure hunt around the galleries, and there are exhibits that they can touch and play with, too. My boys love Norwich Castle, and it’s one of our go-to spots, especially on rainy days.
Take a walk
It might sound like a cop out, but one of the best things to do in Norwich is just to take a walk and see where your feet take you!
The city is home to 1500 historic buildings and 33 medieval churches within its city walls, so you’re never far away from the next interesting attraction.
Don’t miss Elm Hill which is the most famous street in Norwich. Original Tudor buildings line this pretty cobbled street making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. In fact, there are more Tudor buildings on this one street then there are in the whole of London!
Elm Hill is lined with shops, restaurants and art galleries. Be sure to stop in the thatched Britons Arms pub for a well-deserved pint.
Explore the Cathedrals of Norwich
There are actually two cathedrals in Norwich, but the best known and most popular is the Anglian cathedral located in the heart of Tombland. Officially known as The Cathedral of the Holy and the Undivided Trinity, locals just call it Norwich Cathedral.
It boasts the second tallest spire in the UK and is a fascinating place with beautiful cloisters and it is surrounded by incredible grounds that are perfect for picnics.
When you’re walking around the cathedral, parts of it may feel familiar. This is because it was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter films, Marvel’s The Age of Ultron, and Stardust, to name just a few.
Although it’s just outside the city center, Norwich’s Catholic Cathedral is worth visiting, especially if you have an interest in architecture. This is England’s second largest Catholic cathedral and it was constructed in the 19th century. It’s an incredible example of Victorian architecture and it offers amazing views of the city from its tower.
Afternoon Tea in the Assembly House
The Assembly House is a gorgeous Georgian house, now transformed into a hotel. It was first constructed in 1754 and boasts high ceilings and glittery chandeliers. Think Bridgerton vibes, but with better food!
It’s located right next to the city’s main theater and close to its main shopping area, so it’s the perfect place to take a break. And it offers the best afternoon tea in Norwich.
The afternoon tea here is award-winning and the menu is seasonal, themed and changes regularly. From November 9, 2024, the theme will switch from Halloween to the Nutcracker with dishes that seem to be created by the Sugar Plum Fairy herself!
Travel tip: From November to January, you can take your afternoon tea in a heated igloo on the Assembly House’s perfectly manicured lawn. These book up quickly, so make a reservation well in advance.
Catch a show at the Norwich Puppet Theatre
If you’re looking for things to do in Norwich with kids then you’re spoiled for choice. Like most places the city boasts the usual bowling alleys and big screen cinemas, but for something that’s unique to Norwich, visit the Norwich Puppet Theatre.
This unique theater space is housed in a former Medieval church and shares all things puppet. From puppet shows to hands-on puppet making sessions, it’s a playground for children. This is one of only three permanent puppet theaters in England.
The last show we saw at the Puppet Theatre was Jack and the Beanstalk – and it was absolutely fantastic. Upcoming family shows include Stories in the Dust, A Christmas Carol, Sleeping Beauty and An Animated Christmas Experience.
There are also events exclusively for adults hosted here, making it a multipurpose venue that offers something for everyone.
Get a taste of the countryside in Whitlingham Country Park
Whitlingham County Park is a large nature reserve close to the city center. It is made up of two huge expanses of water: the Great Broad and the Little Broad. And you can enjoy a circular walk around the Great Broad that takes around 50 minutes to complete on foot.
Interestingly, this isn’t one of Norfolk’s many natural Broadland areas. The two Broads were once the site of gravel extractions that were eventually filled in and given back to nature.
If you don’t feel like walking, this trail is also popular with cyclists and even horse riders.
On the Great Broad, you’ll find Whitlingham Adventure. This is an activity center where you can enjoy a whole host of water-based activities such as kayaking and canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and taking small crafts into the water.
This is a popular place with kids and adults alike, and is often used by local schools and scout groups. So if you want to get out on the water then I recommend booking your experience in advance.
Admire the art at the Sainsbury Center For Visual Arts
Visiting a University campus might not be an obvious choice for a day out. But on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus, you’ll find the Sainsbury Center for Visual Arts.
This is a huge, futuristic, hangar-like building that was designed by Norman Foster. Going inside to see the huge collection of art, much of which is privately owned and curated by the Sainsbury family, is one of the best things to do in Norwich for art lovers.
The building itself is amazing, too, and will be familiar to Marvel fans: its exterior was used as the Avengers HQ in some of the Marvel films.
If you’re traveling with kids, one of the best things to do with kids in Norwich is to pop into the Sainsbury Center and grab a map for the sculpture park trail. These are dotted throughout the grounds and include several iconic pieces by Henry Moore. The map itself includes space for kids to draw and color. And if you like that, London has an interesting sculpture park of its own.
As an added bonus, the whole thing is free, including entry to explore the gallery itself.
Learn more about Norwich at the Strangers’ Hall
Finally, when I told my son I was writing this piece and asked him what things to do in Norwich he thought people would like, he said make sure you include Strangers’ Hall. So here we are!
Strangers; Hall is a museum housed in a Grade I listed Elizabethan merchant house. It is one of the oldest and most well-preserved buildings in the city.
Here you can learn about Norwich through the ages. Start in the Great Hall, the heart of the Medieval and Tudor home. Wander around a Georgian dining room or look at the toys in a Victorian nursery. Everything is interactive and designed to appeal to children and adults alike.
So why is it called Strangers’ Hall? Because the building was used to house well-heeled refugees from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg more than 500 years ago. And the name stuck!
Travel tip: Strangers Hall is only open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly!
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