by Katie Thompson
Norwich is home to the 24th Paddington statue– part of the STUDIOCANAL Paddington Visits trail. Our fine city was chosen from over 90 locations across the UK thanks to its friendliness and rich storytelling heritage – we are a City of Stories and UNESCO City of Literature after all.
Paddington is a bear known for his adventurous spirit and love of marmalade sandwiches, so we felt it would be a good idea to share all the places and activities that your little inquisitive bear would love to discover in our city.
Norwich has a compact street pattern that’s made for exploring! And no matter how many times you visit, there’s something new to discover or a new way of seeing things. Never is this truer than on a day out with your little ones. For little legs, Norwich’s cobbled streets offer loads of corners to hide round and winding lanes waiting to be explored.
There are plenty of places for youngsters to expend their energy (and for mums, dads, and carers to take a breather!). From playing hide and seek and getting hands-on at our family-friendly galleries and museums to taking your teddy to meet the city’s cuddly characters and zooming around our green spaces.
So, take a look at our four mini-itineraries for a fantastic day out with your little bears right here in Norwich!
Keep an eye out for the hidden jokes at Norwich Castle!
Norwich Castle is a go-to to start any family day out (and adults can get a family discount with a paying child). It’s open every day at 10am, even on Sundays, when you might be looking for things to do. It’s easy to pretend you’ve stepped back in time here. Get lost between the wonders of each display- spanning thousands of years from the Egyptians to the 21st century. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the hidden jokes in the natural history galleries. You can swap your duffle coat for dressing-up in traditional Anglo-Saxon clothes or ride a horse and cart like the Romans- make sure to hold on tight!
After a trip to the castle, there’s nothing like a skip through the Royal Arcade, past pretty shop windows and (our favourite) Stompers shoe shop. We’ll let you onto a secret- it’s not just children who like to stop and watch the fuzzy monkey flip over on his tree. It’s adults, too!
Sometimes all you need to end your day on a high is a sweet treat. So, when you’re faced with the enticing sights, smells and sounds of Norwich Market, the answer is clear: we all scream for ice cream! You can choose from the colourful array at Lakenham Creamery- from vivid blue bubblegum to classic vanilla (and maybe a scoop of mocha for the adults). Or, if you’re feeling like a Mr. Whippy, head up to Apricity for a 99 (and a flake, of course). Wipes at the ready!
Find out all about Norwich Cathedral with their free Explorer Backpacks before a photo with Paddington!
An early morning for some is often a lie-in for parents! So, it’s just as well that Norwich Cathedral is open every day from 7.30am and free to enter. At the heart of the cathedral’s cloister, you’ll find the mesmerising Labyrinth. Can you follow the grassy twists and turns to the centre?
And when the weather is being typically British, there are things to do inside too! If your little ones are aged between 5 and 11, they can find out all about Norwich Cathedral with their free Explorer Backpacks! Each one includes a pair of binoculars, a torch, magnifying glass, mirror and more which you can borrow to complete the special trail. And if you do complete the quest, there might just be a gift at the end of it! You can also explore the Cathedral’s best bits with their free Follow the Fox trail or see what details you can discover on the ceiling with their mirror in the nave.
When you head out of the cathedral through Cathedral Close, make sure to tip your hat to Norwich’s newest resident. You might just recognise his red hat and blue duffle coat. And, of course, the marmalade sandwich gives it away. With a view of the spire behind, a picture with Paddington is one to make it into the photo album. We bet you’ll look back on it fondly.
Speaking of Paddington, just a short toddle across Tombland and along the cobbled walkways of Elm Hill is The Bear Shop. Its glowing windows are piled high with shelves upon shelves of cuddly collectables and keepsakes. While you may not be able to take home every single teddy in the shop, it’s not hard to spend time browsing this bear-filled wonderland.
Chapelfield Gardens is a great space for a kickabout, runaround in the park or a performance on the bandstand!
For a day out getting lost in your imagination, we suggest starting at the early years’ library at Norwich’s Millennium Library in The Forum. This free-to-visit sensory zone is scattered with entertaining toys and play areas for a calm and comfortable place to spend an hour or two. Think bean bags to sink into, toadstools to sit on, farm animal hand puppets, rainbow coloured rugs and so many story books to get your paws on. Plus, these books are for children all the way up to age 7, meaning it’s an ideal place to take siblings together.
From here, it’s only a short way to The Garage. This performing arts hub has loads of playful interactive workshops for those taking their first steps. Their Toolbox Cafe welcomes young families, too. Here, little bears can play with toys and books, while big bears get the chance to munch down on a tasty toastie or delicious slice of cake.
What’s a day out without a playground pitstop? Just across the road is Chapelfield Gardens, a great space for a kickabout or runaround in the park (or a performance on the bandstand!). In spring and summer, it’s full of fresh green grass and the perfect place to socialise with other mums and dads or make new friends. In autumn, the gardens are covered in piles of crunchy gold leaves to jump in; in winter, it’s a white blanket made for snowmen building. (We also recommend a snack from the small food stand- as a special treat for younger visitors or as a reward for the big kids!).
Who’s up for a game of hide and seek at the Sculpture Park?
When a change of scenery is in order (or perhaps you’re travelling into the city from slightly further afield), we recommend a trip to the Sainsbury Centre. It’s a totally unique and interactive experience. Here, you can hug a Henry Moore (yes, really) and become a living work of art in a life-size display case, meaning every member of the family can have a play! They’re open at 9am Tuesday – Friday and 10am on weekends, while their Pay What You Can Scheme makes a visit to this inspiring gallery exciting and affordable.
But if you arrive a bit earlier, you’ll have the whole Sculpture Park to explore. (We suggest using their Sculpture Park Pocket Map to make sure you don’t miss anything!) Set in the beautiful surrounds of UEA’s campus, it’s a wonderful place in all weathers. Just make sure to wrap up warm in winter- a bright red hat should do it! Although you can’t climb on the sculptures, where else can you say you’ve played hide and seek dashing and ducking behind Anthony Caro’s ‘Goodwood Steps’?
From here, you can hop on the 25 bus heading towards the city centre. After just two stops, you’ll arrive at the south entrance to Eaton Park, another lovely green space to spend some time running around in or relaxing with a picnic. We bet you’ll soon be occupied here. There’s a mini railway to trundle along on (Sundays and bank holiday Mondays, 11am -3pm), a model boat pond for ships of all shapes and sizes, and a fantastic playground full of slides, climbing frames and swings. Older children might fancy a game of 18-hole crazy golf, whilst parents and carers are catered for by the cosy cafe.
