Who’s looking forward to the summer in Norwich? We certainly are. Clear skies and the blazing sun make the City of Stories look absolutely gorgeous, from the shine of Elm Hill, to the crisp sunsets over the River Wensum. It’s the perfect time of year to be in our fine city!
To mark the occasion, we thought we’d show off our favourite photos of Norwich in the summer. These snaps make us all the more excited for the coming months, and we hope you feel the same! We always love seeing your photographs of Norwich too, so don’t forget to get involved and tag us on social media and use #Cityofstories. Find our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook here!
We can’t start anywhere but Elm Hill – Norwich’s most complete medieval street. It makes for an amazing walk as you travel back in time down these cobbled streets. And it’s an icon here, even featured in Hollywood movies! You can spot our famous street in movies like ‘Stardust’ and ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’.
When here, you absolutely cannot miss a trip to the Britons Arms, a 1300s coffee house and restaurant, which does a fantastic afternoon tea at just £28 for two people. Also be sure to visit The Bear Shop, which houses a monumental collection of Charlie Bear, Steiff, Paddington, and so much more.
Norwich is a city best explored on foot or by bicycle. Everywhere in this fine city is within walking distance, meaning you can soak up the sights and feel a part of it all. Hire from Beryl Bikes and zip around like a local as you discover the City of Stories!
Feeling inspired but not sure where to visit? Check out the rest of our blogs for everything you’ll need, from what to do, where to stay, and so much more!
New to Norwich in time for the summer, ‘Flint’ by ToyStudio is a beautiful light installation just outside Norwich Arts Centre, made up of mirrored totems and coloured pixel sticks. It’s the first installation to be revealed on the new Norfolk Way Art Trail, with more works to be revealed.
Visit during daylight and twilight hours to appreciate all aspects of this gorgeous work, it makes for quite the picture too! Find out more about this light installation here.
There’s nothing like a drink outdoors on a summer evening in Norwich. The atmosphere is incredible. With so many beer gardens and outside seating available, why not unwind with a pint, a glass of something fizzy, or an ice cold soft drink?
If you’re looking for some recommendations on pubs to visit with great outdoor seating, check out our ‘Best Beer Gardens in Norwich’ blog. Visit them all in one trip, or come back for more over the summer!
Whatever time of day you choose to see it, the River Wensum is beautiful. Try paddleboarding down, or even taking a riverside walk as you soak up some sun. You can even find some historic parts of Norwich alongside the river, such as Norwich’s most ancient bridge, Fye Bridge (pictured in the background). When you get there, why not stop at the Ribs of Beef for a spot of food and a nice, refreshing drink?
The Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre, part of the Lord Mayor’s Weekend Celebration, is a must-see (This year, it’s on Sunday, July 9). Each year, it attracts over 25,000 visitors and features live music, pop-up markets, DJ sets, street food courts, theatre performance, workshops, and so much more! Plus, it’s a great way to support the fantastic independents of the Norwich Lanes. You’d be mad to miss it.
For a true authentic Italian experience in Norwich, look no further than Saporita. This family-run restaurant has some of the best pizza you’ll ever have. And the interior is beautiful, you’ll instantly be transported to Italy as you walk through the doors. It’s perfect for the summer.
Get treated like family, eat authentic, tasty food, and leave feeling like you already want to go back, what more can you ask for?
Norwich Castle
We can’t forget the iconic Norwich Castle. Overlooking our city for over 900 years, the Castle and the picturesque green space surrounding is the perfect place to keep cool on a hot summer’s day. Looking to take it one step further? Why not take a picnic and reconnect with nature under this Norwich icon.
Inside, you can find a museum and art gallery, which is definitely worth checking out. Explore the different exhibitions, including the monumental ‘The Last Voyage of the Gloucester’. In this exhibition, you’ll learn about the ship carrying royalty, which shipwrecked on the coast of Norfolk. Found by two brothers, this nautical discovery has been hailed the most significant since the Mary Rose. Plan your visit here!
While lingering in the Lanes, don’t forget to visit St Giles Pantry, located on Upper St Giles. Here, you might be lucky enough to meet Alan in his delightful provisions shop. The interior here is worth the visit alone. While you’re there, stop for a coffee, cake, wine, and sometimes oysters!
Every second Friday of the month, you can join St Giles Pantry in taking a coach to ‘Fridays at Camphill’. Organised by Flint Vineyard and Ampersand beer, this evening at the vineyard means enjoying an abundance of street food, wine, beer, and live music. Find out more about Fridays at Camphill and the coach journey there here!
Tuck into some tasty tapas or some beautiful bistro specials at Makers House. Pictured are their Spanish Ham Pinxtos, which taste as good as they look. Sit outside, order a mix of Deli Small Plates & Boards and Hot Small Plates and enjoy a glass of something good to go with it all. Surrounded by family and friends, this is the perfect way to spend a summer evening in Norwich. Find out more about Makers House here.
The Plantation Garden
One of Norwich’s best kept secrets – Plantation Garden. This three acre Grade-II English Heritage registered garden goes back to over 100 years ago, when it was an abandoned chalk quarry. Now, this Victorian garden has been transformed to feature a huge gothic fountain, flower beds, lawns, Italianate terrace, a ‘Medieval’ terrace wall, and much more.
It’s perfect to take a picnic, turn the phones off, and relax in this tranquil green space. On Sundays, you can enjoy live outdoor music, with a calendar of events coming up throughout the summer, including afternoon tea in the garden! Find out more about Plantation Garden here.
