For a time like World Book Day, where better in the world to spend it than in the City of Stories itself? Celebrating the millions of worlds created for everyone, from the children discovering their first adventures, to the bookworm delving into a new story each week, you’ll absolutely love what’s on in Norwich for the day and throughout March…
Kicking off the celebrations for World Book Day, Norwich Business Improvement District have created a new City Food Trail based on the theme of stories. Throughout the entire month of March, explore the country’s first UNESCO City of Literature while enjoying delicious food and drink, all specially created around the theme of everyone’s favourite books!
From your favourite local café to that restaurant you’ve always been meaning to try, we have got 46 confirmed businesses taking part in this year’s City Food Trail – so keep an eye out for plenty of amazing creations from businesses with a ‘City Food Trail’ light in their window.
Find out who’s taking part here >>
Look out for the City Food Trail lights being displayed in participating restaurants
Ticket prices: £20 for a single | £25 for a couple | Tickets include a copy of The Meaning of Geese and light refreshments.
Whether you’re a lover of all things non-fiction, Norfolk, wildlife, or all of the above, you’ll love this evening spent at Jarrold on Wednesday March 1 (6pm – 8pm).
Join Norfolk-born author, conservationist, and environmentalist Nick Acheson as he discusses his new book, ‘The Meaning of Geese’, including the thrilling encounters he’s had with wildlife – and the not-so-thrilling moments along the way too! Hear more about tired legs, punctured tyres, and some inhospitable weather as Nick discusses how the book came together.
This book is a true love story to Norfolk and for the wild geese that flock every winter, decorating our skies with beautiful sound and spectacle, so it’s truly not to be missed for the local nature-lovers!
Tickets cost £20 for a single or £25 for a couple and includes a copy of The Meaning of Geese and light refreshments.
In Conversation with Nick Acheson: The Meaning of Geese
World Book Day isn’t just for the readers, we can’t forget the writers out there too! On Saturday, March 4 (10:30am – 12:30pm), poets and writers of both fiction and non-fiction are invited to the Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library in the Forum to enjoy their wealth of writing resources for free!
Get lost in encompassing books, maps, photographs, and so much more. Who knows, you might just find the inspiration you need to write your magnum opus! This informal session will show highlights from the library’s collection, give you a peek behind-the-scenes, and show you how to access their resources to aide your work.
Booking is essential and can be completed on their website here.
Of course, we can’t write a World Book Day blog without including the incredible National Centre for Writing. There is so much on at Dragon Hall throughout March, from eight-week online courses on experimenting with fiction, to evenings discussing the reality of publishing a debut book, if you’re a keen reader or writer, there’ll be something here for you.
The National Centre for Writing’s events range from free/pay what you can to low-cost fees, with booking essential for some, so it’s best to check out their website to see what stands out to you!
National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall
Ticket prices: £4 General admission | £20 General admission and signed book
There’s a double-header of author events at Waterstones in early March, one for the adults and the other for the little ones!
Enjoy a conversation with Costanza Casati, author of ‘Clytemnestra’, a story based on the wife of Ancient Greek legend Agamemnon and the power, prophecies, hatred, and love that followed. In this conversation, Costanza will be discussing the amazing achievement behind addressing this infamous figure.
This event takes place on Tuesday, March 7 (7pm – 8:30pm) Tickets start at £4 for general admission, with a ticket and signed book available for £20.
For the explorers and historians, this 2-hour guided walking tour is perfect for you. Celebrating CJ Samson’s best-selling novel ‘Tombland’, Paul Dickson’s tour will take you everywhere you need to know to learn more about the rich history of this fine city!
Words really don’t do this tour justice, and we wouldn’t want to spoil the sights and stories you’ll learn about, but we can confirm that it both starts and ends at the Maids Head Hotel with hot drinks and biscuits, and you’ll get the best view of Norwich about halfway in!
To find out more about the tour and to book your place, visit Paul Dickson’s website.
Tickets to this event are FREE, however booking is essential.
If you’re looking for a truly special way to engage the whole family, Norwich Puppet Theatre have got just the show for you. Across two days only, go back in time with Toy Theatre – a Victorian tradition for families to gather and watch storytelling acted out by tiny cardboard characters in elaborate scenery on a stage not much bigger than a shoe box.
Now, Mark Mander’s spectacular production of Sleeping Beauty brings this tradition to the modern day with teeny 3D figures, lavish miniature sets, and a fast-paced story packed with music and fun. Escape into this 18-minute performance of a fairy tale wonderland in March, full of glitter, special effects, and plenty of laughs.
Performances take place on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 25, with shows every 45 minutes from 10am – 4:30pm. Booking is FREE and essential for these performances, but be quick, each show is performed to just eight people!
