17 September 2021
Accessible Norwich
If you want to plan a day out in Norwich but need to know where to stay, eat or visit that’s accessible, then never fear! We have put together a little guide to accessible Norwich, so you can get out and enjoy the city of stories without any worries.
Where to stay
Maids Head Hotel
Known to be the oldest hotel in the UK, the Maids Head is a characterful and award-winning place to stay. Located right in the heart of Norwich in Tombland, the cathedral is mere minutes away, with the river, pubs, Elm Hill and more sights close by too.
Accessibility:
- Disabled parking bays
- A fully accessible room with accessible bathroom
- Lift accessible rooms (no accessible bathrooms)
- Ramp
- Accessible route to restaurant along outside of building
The Assembly House
For a touch of luxury and a stay in a stunning Georgian building head to The Assembly House. Not only would you be treated to an opulent stay, but The Assembly House is also famed for its fabulous afternoon teas which you can enjoy.
Accessibility:
- Front door drop-off available for those with mobility issues
- Step-free access at both main entrances
- Built-in ramp from front door to Grand Hall
- Accessible parking with two designated spaces for disabled drivers
- Accessible toilets with RADAR key on ground floor, accessible from all dining and event spaces
- Lift access
- Two accessible bedrooms, one with an accessible bathroom with wet room and shower chaircess to all floors
- Registered member of Norwich City Dementia Action Alliance
Enjoy spectacular Georgian architecture at The Assembly House
Spixworth Hall Cottages
Located in beautiful rural Norfolk, but still only five miles from the city, Spixworth Hall Cottages are a great option if you’re looking to stay somewhere peaceful that’s not too far from the action! There are a range of back to nature experiences available on site too.
Accessibility:
- Three cottages available with disabled access
- Stables cottage (accessibility rating 3) with walk-in shower and accessible kitchen appliances
- The Lodge (accessibility rating 1) suitable for people who can walk with assistance.
- Grafters Cottage (accessibility rating 1) has ground floor bedroom with adjacent shower/wet room. Has some steps inside but a ramp can be provided.
- Additional equipment available includes shower chairs, electric single bed, height adjustable double bed, bed table, ramp
Spixworth Hall Cottages
Where to visit
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a must on any visit to the city. One of the finest complete Romanesque cathedrals in Europe, with the second tallest spire and largest monastic cloisters in England, it’s no wonder the cathedral is such a popular destination.
Accessibility:
- Level access and lifts available (lift door width 900mm, cabin width 1100mm, cabin depth 1400mm)
- Wheelchairs for use
- Accessible toilets (code needed from staff)
- Steps edged with different colour for visually impaired
- Brighter lighting available on request
- Large print version of welcome leaflet available
- Tactile tours can be arranged (call 01603 218300 for adult tours, 01603 218320 for school tours)
- Induction loops installed in the Hostry’s Weston Room and the cathedral
- Disabled parking in The Close
Inside the Norwich Cathedral, a top destination to visit in Norwich
Norwich Castle
Want to discover interesting artefacts? How about some stunning collections of artwork? Or perhaps you’d like to learn more about natural history? Well, for all this and more Norwich Castle is the place to go.
Accessibility:
- Companion free of charge for those with access issues
- Assistance dogs welcome
- External lift in Castle Gardens for entry
- Alternative step free access via Farmers’ Avenue
- Lift for access to Rotunda first floor
- Victorian Toilets at either end of special exhibition gallery accessible
- Hearing loop in auditorium
- Braille labelling
- Handheld torches available
- Blude badge parking can be found in Castle Quarter
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
A renowned public art museum the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is an ideal destination for a day soaking up some culture. Plus, it’s free to enter and view the permanent collection. Additional exhibitions run throughout the year and are ticketed, and for these free complimentary tickets are available to carers / companions.
Accessibility:
- Platform lift to access lower galleries 1, 2 and 3
- Mezzanine gallery is not accessible, however free alternatives can be offered
- Changing Places toilet 5 minutes away from centre, open Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm. On weekends an access card must be borrowed from reception
- Four disabled parking spaces within a short walk
The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. There’s plenty to do, including its sculpture park.
Museum of Norwich
Discover the story of Norwich’s industries and people from medieval to modern day at the Museum of Norwich. Uncover the history of the textile trade, the production of shoes, chocolate and mustard, and more!
Accessibility:
- Fully accessible with platform lift from main entrance to ground floor
- Second lift inside provides access to all levels
- Large, motorised scooters cannot be accommodated, however there is a wheelchair onsite for visitor use
- Carers admitted free of charge
- Accessible toilets on ground floor
- Hearing loop installed at reception
- Access information in other formats (e.g. braille, large print, audio cassette or CD) available by prior contact with the museum
- 52 blue badge parking spaces at St Andrew’s car park
- Undercroft area is not accessible
Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Playhouse
Is there a better way to spend an evening than experiencing some theatre, music, comedy or dance? Well, it’s certainly at the top of our list! And both Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Playhouse offer a range of services for audience members with access requirements including captioned performances, signed performances (BSL), audio described performances with touch tours, dementia friendly performances and relaxed performances.
Accessibility:
- Assistance dogs welcome and can go into auditorium (must be mentioned when booking). Alternatively guide dogs can be left in care of front-of-house staff
- Headsets amplifying sound and necklace hearing loops available to borrow
- Induction loop in auditorium
- Complimentary tickets available to personal assistants
- Three wheelchair accessible spaces in auditorium (Norwich Playhouse)
- Platform stairlift (max weight 230kg, 1.25m long, 0.90m wide) (Norwich Playhouse)
- Accessible toilets both inside and on the bar terrace (Norwich Playhouse)
- Sennheiser infra-red system, two models of headset available (Norwich Playhouse)
Norwich Theatre Royal Auditorium
City Sightseeing (seasonal)
Take in all the sights on the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour. A great way to easily travel across the city, the best part is that you can choose how long you spend in each area! Discover the Castle, Cathedral, Tombland and more on a fab day out.
Accessibility:
- Most buses wheelchair accessible, with wheelchair spaces 70cm wide, 120cm long, 135cm high
Broads Tours
If you’ve got a special occasion to celebrate, we would definitely recommend a trip out on the beautiful broads in one of Broads Tours day boats! A great way to make some memories, you can leisurely cruise along on the water, enjoying the unique views and seeing the different wildlife you can spot! 3 hours hire £80, 7 hours £133.
Accessibility:
- Standard day boat with a wheelchair lift measuring 94cm x 80cm, maximum lift 350kg (max passengers 5, at least 2 adults required, and pre-booking needed)
Broads Tours wheelchair friendly boat
Where to eat
After a busy day of discovery in Norwich, you’ll likely want to get yourself some delicious grub to help you rest and refuel. And there’s plenty of options in Norwich!
Cosy Club
Whether you want to indulge in a sumptuous breakfast or brunch, are craving some classic comfort food in the evening like fish and chips or some macaroni cheese, or just want to enjoy some cocktails – Cosy Club has a host of options.
Accessibility:
- Ramp to the building entrance
- Accessible toilet
Enjoy some delicious food at Cosy Club
Chantry Place
There’s a huge range of places to eat at Chantry Place. From Greek food, to Italian, Asian and more. And with multiple radar key accessible toilets at Chantry Place, and a Changing Places toilet, you can easily make a pit stop for food after a bit of shopping.
Accessibility:
- Wagamama has their own accessible toilets for customers
- Disabled parking bays available across both floors of multi-storey car park
- Assistance dogs welcome (recommended to have a high-vis jacket or harness)
- Autism friendly hours between 4pm – 6pm on Mondays (music turned down, lights dimmed, sensory stimulation reduced for any events and demos in the centre)
The Real Greek at Chantry Place
Carrow Road
Are you a football fan? Or just wanting a great restaurant to visit after spending some time down by the river? Both Yellows and Delia’s at Carrow Road have an accessible toilet on site. Delia’s is a great option for a fine dining experience at an affordable price. The eclectic mix of cuisine at Yellows is perfect for more casual dining. Famed for some of the best burgers and ribs in the city, you can also find inspiration from Spain, Italy and the Middle East on the menu.
Accessibility:
- Limited on-street parking around the stadium for blue badge holders
- Radar key accessible toilets in the stadium
- Spaces for wheelchair users and ambulant supporters in the stadium
- Live soccer sight matchday commentary provided for visually impaired supporters
- Portable induction loops at the ticket office
Bill’s
Pancakes for breakfast? How about a warming fish pie for dinner? Or would you enjoy a sumptuous, salted caramel and chocolate tart for dessert? There’s all that and more on the menu at Bill’s, and its cosy interior is perfect for a bit of casual dining.
Accessibility:
Castle Quarter
Castle Quarter is a great place to go for a snack or a refreshing coffee. With a Starbucks, BB’s, Muffin Break and more. There’s also a great range of shops too!
Accessibility:
- Changing Places toilet (near the Cattlemarket entrance, RADAR key)
- All entrances to the centre accessed from road level and all access points wheelchair friendly
- Disabled parking in both car park 1 and 2
- Mobility equipment available to hire from NBR Shopmobility Plus, located on level 2
- Centre management, security and cleaning staff have attended dementia awareness training
The important bits
Changing Places accessible toilets:
- The Forum
- Vauxhall Community Hub
- Chantry Place
- Castle Quarter
Accessible toilets in Norwich (primarily RADAR key accessible):
- Norwich Market
- St Andrews multi-storey car park
- Rose Lane multi-storey car park
- St Giles multi-storey car park
Parks with accessible toilets (primarily RADAR key accessible):
- Earlham Park
- Eaton Park
- Waterloo Park
- Wensum Park
Blue badge parking bays:
- All Saints Green
- Bank Plain
- Bank Street
- Ber Street
- Bethel Street
- Brigg Street
- Cathedral Street
- Cowgate
- Gentleman’s Walk
- King Street
- London Street
- Mandela Close
- Opie Street
- Princes Street
- Rouen Road
- St Benedict’s Street
- St Georges Street