by Katie Thompson
A visit to Norwich isn’t complete without a stroll in the Lanes. These meandering streets are made for foodies, art lovers and indie shoppers alike: the area is often ranked as one of the best shopping spots in the UK.
You can easily spend a whole day here popping in and out of the many vintage, lifestyle and gift shops, people watching al fresco as you enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or flaky pastry and finishing the day with a delightful meal.
As you might have guessed, the Norwich Lanes are the place to be, local or visitor. Easily walkable, taking you from day to night and utterly charming. Here’s our guide to one of our favourite areas of Norwich!
The scent of coffee and pastries will tempt you on Upper St Giles
We recommend starting at Upper St Giles. It’s a unique street dotted with Georgian buildings and a buzzing community. Bright bakeries line the path, and the scent of warm pastries fills the air at all times of year. We suggest stopping at Bread Source or Kofra for a coffee- both a go-to for locals, and indulging in a sweet treat from Cupcake & Co. (There’s also Cuppie Hut for dog-friendly treats if you’ve brought your furry friend along!).
Head along the street, popping into Norwich Art Shop, home to contemporary (and affordable!) pieces by local artists. Opposite, pay a visit to The Shopkeeper Store. This Japanese-inspired lifestyle shop is ideal for anyone with a taste for slow living and stylish craftsmanship.
Walking past St Giles on the Hill church (where lilac wisteria blooms in late spring), take note of secondhand bookshop JR & RK Ellis and Lovisa Sorenson’s handcrafted jewellery. If you’re on St Giles Street and feeling peckish, then we suggest The Waffle House. (Trust us, the queues are worth it!). Think savoury and sweet dishes to tempt your tastebuds, from bang bang chicken to St Giles Gin-infused rhubarb and apple crumble. For a family-run Italian, try Paolo’s. And if you like your Japanese cuisine, look no further than Soyokaze!
Lower Goat Lane is great for quirky gift, homeware and lifestyle stores
Taking a left onto Lower Goat Lane, you’ll be greeted with an array of quirky gift, lifestyle and homeware shops. Before heading down, take a moment to admire our eye-catching, Grade I-listed flint-knapped Guildhall. Pop into Imelda’s for unique shoes and Brownies & Co for, you guessed it, mouthwatering brownie variations.
Local lifestyle store Lisa Angel is the perfect place to pick up presents or treat yourself to personalised jewellery, trinket dishes and dry flowers. Next door, homeware store Elm has an array of prints, plants, ceramics and more and, opposite, Elements menswear stocks your main streetwear brands. It’ll be hard to leave without buying anything!
The bottom of Lower Goat Lane is a feast for the eyes as well as your tastebuds. Moorish offers tasty falafel, L’Hexagone creates an intimate French dining experience, and, last but not least, Grosvenor Fish Bar is known for some of the tastiest fish and chips in the city (with a twist!). There’s all the usual fare, as well as mussels, tuna and seven quid squid!
Don’t miss out on Pottergate’s pretty pink house!
Pottergate is another bustling area at all times of day. At one end, there’s Bun X at Micawbers (think juicy burgers and crispy fries- loaded or otherwise). This is where you’ll find Norwich’s iconic ‘pink house’, which always looks lovely, but especially so in the sunshine. At the other end (heading east), there’s Yard (if you fancy pasta, this is the place), the Belgian Monk (we recommend the meatballs and cherry beer sauce), and Christophe’s Crepes (try the crepe cheesecake!).
In between, make a stop at Strangers if you love artisan coffee and, in the evening, The Drawing Rooms has a tempting selection of cocktails made for a night out with friends.
During July and August, St Greogry’s Green plays host to a free programme of music and performance as part of Norwich Summer Sessions. This grassy area makes an ideal spot to recline in the sun and have a chilled afternoon. While you’re here, we suggest a rummage around St Gregory’s Antiques & Collectables for vintage gems.
Speaking of vintage, Stones has one-of-a-kind pieces, while a few doors down, Main Source is known for its trainers and Head in the Clouds gift shop is perfect for any bohemian!
The Lanes is home to the Maddermarket community theatre
Between Pottergate and Exchange Street, there’s still so much to explore.
As a city of brilliant menswear, Sevenwolves is another to add to your list. Plus, downstairs you’ll find Catfish (sister brand to casualwear store Dogfish on Bedford Street) which stocks the best in women’s streetwear.
St John Maddermarket is home to the Maddermarket, a 300-seat community theatre that stages national and international performances, as well as plays by The Norwich Players. Even if you’re not here for a show, it’s worth coming to see the building’s mock-Elizabethan design.
You’ll have guessed by now that the Lanes isn’t complete without a wonderful food offering. Here, you can tuck in to delectable desserts at Figbar, where you’ll encounter some of the city’s best combinations, such as chocolate and stout, and truffle, white chocolate and pear. And if breakfast is more your thing, there are tasty choices at JC Pinto and freshly baked loaves at aptly named loaf.microbakery.
For a meal out? St Benedicts is a must
One of our favourite destinations for a meal out (whether it’s a special occasion or not) has got to be St Benedicts Street. Glowing eateries line both sides of the street. Mouthwatering aromas blend from fresh Italian herbs at Pinocchios to rich Turkish spices at Haggle, garlicky Spanish aioli from Don Txoko and fragrant Indian curries from Bombai. There are even board games at plant-based Slice + Dice.
Of course, we couldn’t talk about St Benedicts without mentioning Benedicts (you’ll find it in the Good Food and Michelin Guides). This contemporary British restaurant from Chef Patron Richard Bainbridge (Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen) showcases local seasonal produce, classic values and incredible dishes that are both beautiful to look at and too good not to eat! Open for lunch and dinner and also with a private dining room- in warmer weather dine al-fresco!
St Benedicts is not only known for its food scene, but its independent music stores too. This is the spot for any record collector- Soundclash Records has been trading for almost 35 years and boasts a loyal customer base, while Cookes Band Instruments has been a Norwich mainstay since 1965.
And if you’re a fan of live music, make sure to spend an evening at award-winning Norwich Arts Centre for line-ups that range from emerging acts to well-known names, comedians and poets. Stop by some of the city’s most popular pubs for a drink beforehand, including the Ten Bells and The Plough. (Or bars– J Doe & Co, Hawthorn and Arboretum for cocktails!)
If one thing’s for certain, once you’ve set foot along St Benedicts, you’re sure to return.
Queues at Norwich’s most popular foodie spots are always worth the wait
When you’re in the Lanes- and Norwich in general, chances are Jarrolds is on your bucket list. Our flagship independent department store has a wonderful selection of fashion, lifestyle, beauty, homeware, toys and more spread across five floors and over fifty departments. Not to mention a food hall where shelves are filled with local produce, including chocolate, preserves and spirits. Why not try them for yourself with a seat at the Wine Bar?
On Bedford Street, behind Jarrolds, you’ll also find the brand’s stationery shop and The Granary, a chic home and interiors store with classic and contemporary furniture. Further along is the aforementioned Dogfish.
Meanwhile, Bridewell Alley is a hub for conscious clothing. There’s Sue Ryder and Sams in the Lanes for gorgeous and sought after (and sometimes designer!) vintage. And sustainable lifestyle store Atwin sells a lovely curation of handmade fashion, jewellery and accessories. You’ll also find their very own Atwin the Label on the ground floor!
You can embrace this love of craftsmanship and creativity throughout the Lanes, but especially on Bridewell Alley, which is also home to Norwich University of the Arts’ East Gallery (free to visit) and the Museum of Norwich, a space that celebrates Norwich’s people and its industries.
And when you’re hungry, we recommend Little Micky’s for burger sliders and No 33 for brunch and a slice of cake. Again, if you queue, you’ll be hugely rewarded. Or for a bit of refreshment, why not punctuate your day in the Lanes with self-service wine at The Wallow or drinks at speak easy-style bar Dicks?
London Street is home to independents and high street heroes
At fringes of the Lanes, London Street merges into our city’s charming Cathedral Quarter. This street is where names like Space NK and Sostrene Grene rub shoulders with indie homeware store Pascale (a window shopper’s dream), handcrafted gift shop Elsie B and long-standing family jewellers Dipples.
Elsewhere, head to Cinema City, Norwich’s independent arthouse cinema, for a spot of entertainment, whilst anyone with a love for print should make a beeline to the Book Hive (pun unintended!). This bookshop celebrates visual design with a whimsical, authentic curation handpicked by the bookseller, adding another level of fun to your still-growing ‘to be read’ pile.
If you’re partial to local history and have a soft spot for stunning shoes, Bowhill & Elliott is for you. This small, family-owned shoemakers have been handmaking shoes on the same London Street site for 150 years. They specialise in elegant made-to-order house shoes and slippers which can be exquisitely personalised with monograms and embroidery. Every pair is a souvenir that will stand the test of time.
For your tastebuds? Well, Bar Cerdita (sister to much-loved Benoli) is great for Spanish-inspired tapas, while Wright’s rivals the best grilled cheese you’ve ever had. And Logans is one of the oldest sandwich shops in the city for a reason- think freshly baked bread packed full of all your favourite fillings and made-to-order (not to mention jackets, salads and free fries Friday!). Keep an eye out for their specials! At family-run Saporita, tuck into authentic Italian street food like paninos, focaccia, pizza and panzerotti. (We suggest taking home a slice of their moreish salame al cioccolato for later).
And if you’re looking for the best of Norwich’s nightlife (or daylife!), it’s got to be Gonzos Tea Room. With is myriad of rooms to enjoy: Gonzo’s Tea Room (bar & delicious burgers), Two Room (nightclub & live music), Brix and Bones (fine dining restaurant), Voodoo Daddy’s (pizza takeaway, dine in and bar with downstairs live music gig programme) and their rooftop bar! Noting specifically that Two Room has just been voted the best dance venue in Europe, beating big names from London, Manchester and even Ibiza. A night here is a night to remember!
