As shops, attractions, bars and restaurants start to open their doors again, there are plenty of Summer activities for us all to enjoy in Norwich. Here’s our rundown of some of the best places to shop, visit, eat, and drink in Norwich this Summer. Everything you need for a perfect Summer’s day in Norwich with friends or family.
Norwich is a city packed full of high street favourites and some of the best independent stores in the country. When it comes to retail therapy, we really do punch above our weight! Enjoy big name brands, up and coming fashion designers, and independent outlets boasting some of the best vintage collections in the UK.
The Norwich Lanes
A haven of independent eateries, coffee houses and bars set in a myriad of small alleys and pedestrianised streets. Winner of the Great British High Street of the Year Award in 2014, the Norwich Lanes is a favourite amongst locals and visitors, with over 300 stores, pubs, eateries and bars to enjoy.
Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre, 2019. Credit Hannah Hutchins
Shopping Malls
Offering up a mix of household brands and designer stores with the latest collections, our two shopping malls – Chapelfield and Castle Quarter – have all your shopping needs covered. Spend hours exploring boutique stores, beauty and cosmetic outlets, and high street favourites showcasing the latest trends. Chapelfield also boasts an impressive food court with a great selection of eateries to choose from, while Castle Quarter now houses a modern bowling alley and arcade, cinema, and a retro games room. Castle Quarter also recently launch the Boom: Battle Bar, a new bar offering unique experiences such as axe throwing, crazy golf, electric darts and more.
Our independent scene
As well as a large independent offering in The Lanes, Norwich also boasts the award-winning Jarrold department store. An independent 5-floor store that celebrates 250 years of trading this year! With 52 departments, 3 restaurants, a coffee bar and a deli, there is something for everyone at Jarrold. We also recommend a trip to the Cathedral Quarter, Anglia Square, and the Royal Arcade. These areas are rich for vintage fashion, boutique outlets, art, lifestyle and more.
Jarrolds Deli
Buzzing high streets, world-famous landmarks, stunning outdoor spaces, and history on every corner. Come and discover why we’re frequently voted as one of the top 10 places to live.
Norwich Cathedral
Have you really been to Norwich if you haven’t visited Norwich Cathedral? This magnificent Romanesque Cathedral is open for all to visit. Boasting the second tallest spire in England, the Cathedral can be seen from all across the city. Explore beautifully-kept open grounds, stunning architecture, and the largest monastic cloisters in the country.
Price: FREE to all visitors
Paul Dickson Tours
The perfect way to discover Norwich, the City of Stories. Join Paul Dickson on a tour of the city and learn about the incredible past of the once “second city of England”. Paul’s ‘Norwich: an introduction’ tour is a fantastic introduction to more than 1,000 years of Norwich’s history, as you explore the ancient Cathedral Quarter, hear stories about Norwich Castle, and explore the market.
Price: £6.50 PP
Paul Dickson Tours
Plantation Gardens
One of Norwich’s best-kept secrets, and often to referred to as the ‘Secret Gardens’. This 3-acre, Grade II English Heritage registered garden is hidden beside the Roman Catholic Cathedral, just 600 yards from the rush of Norwich city centre. Enjoy huge gothic fountains, flower beds, lawns, woodland walkways, and Victorian-style greenhouses. Established over 1000 years ago in an abandoned chalk quarry, Plantation Gardens is a haven of peace and tranquillity.
Price: £2 per adult (cash only). Under 16s free with a full-paying adult.
The Bowling House
Boasting amazing food, delicious cocktails, and stunning décor, the Bowling House is a favourite amongst residents and visitors alike. And to celebrate their reopening, Bowling House are offering a FREE game of bowling to anyone who eats with them in August! But wait, there’s more … guests can now also eat, drink and bowl for just £10 per person! That’s 2 courses, a free game of bowling and a free pint or cocktail for just £10 – what’s not to like?
Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts
A world-class museum of art from around the world (and home to The Avengers!), the Sainsbury Centre houses some of the most ground-breaking displays and exhibitions in the UK. Situated on the grounds of the University of East Anglia (UEA), you can explore works from Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon and Edgar Degas, and art spanning the 5,000 years of human creativity from across the globe. You can also enjoy the outdoor Sculpture Park for free.
Prices: Free admission for the permanent collection and Sculpture Park. Ticketed for special exhibitions
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Credit Hannah Hutchins
Being a city in the heart of a large farming county, we enjoy the spoils of amazing local produce. Fresh meats, fish, breads. Local ales, gin, cider and more. But it’s not just local food that we’re renowned for. Norwich is home to some of the finest international chefs in the world, with award-winning restaurants serving up delicious cuisine from all around the globe. And don’t even get us started on our street food scene!
Download your own ‘Summer’s Day Out’ itinerary here.
