by Katie Thompson
Time spent with family is precious. Thankfully, Norwich is home to loads of places to make more happy memories. Even better, many of them are free to enjoy!
So, start planning your trip to the City of Stories- whether it’s a morning or afternoon exploring or a full day of family fun. From photo opportunities with your favourite character to amazing animal visits, fascinating trails and creative crafting. This is our round-up of the best free things for families in Norwich!
And if you’re looking for even more suggestions for the family, including attractions, outdoor adventures and more, check out our families page!
Why not take your marmalade sandwich and join Paddington on his bench?
Can you spot the golden pawprints in Cathedral Close? Follow them carefully and you’ll find our Paddington statue, marmalade sandwich in hand!
Dressed in his signature blue duffle coat and red bucket hat (no doubt hiding a sandwich for later!), you can stop by to take a photo with him or soak up some sun as you people watch passersby. No matter what age you are, we’ve all got some sort of connection to Paddington- big kids included. You won’t see any hard stares here!
It’ll be hard to leave the beautiful animals at Redwings
Not strictly Norwich, but completely worth the 30-minute journey into the beautiful Norfolk countryside, Redwings Animal Sanctuary is home to 50 rescued horses, donkeys, ponies and mules. And you can meet these beautiful animals face-to-face for free.
There’s loveable donkey duo Wiggins and Wacko, real-life Black Beauty Maya and resident troublemakers the Gangsters who’ll put a smile on your face. Follow this with a relaxing stroll along the sanctuary’s wildlife walks before a slice of cake or light lunch in the cafe (and a peek in the gift shop before you leave!). It’s the perfect day out!
The National Centre for Writing has a great variety of workshops to get hands-on in!
There’s no better age to get lost in your imagination than when you’re young. And the National Centre for Writing know all about the power of creativity.
Whether it’s storytelling workshops or craft sessions, Dragon Hall is the place to be. The National Centre for Writing’s free Family Activity Days are great for fun hands-on activities, including colouring, creative play, games and crafts. (Remember to take your creations home as a keepsake.) And their garden is the perfect picnicking spot! All you need to do is drop in and get involved!
Any budding historian should take a closer look at Norwich Cathedral
See Norwich Cathedral differently thanks to their Explorer Backpacks! Perfect for ages 5 – 11, these packs are free to borrow and will give you a special perspective on this magnificent building.
There’s a torch, magnifying glass, pair of binoculars, compass, tape measure and mirror, as well as a pencil to complete a special trail. What can you find in the nave, cloisters and windows? Plus, there’s a Flint the Fox trail to take part in- see if you can spot him peeking out from the Cathedral’s archways!
Enjoy a magical tale on one of the city’s many book benches!
It wouldn’t be a trip to the City of Stories without taking part in some book-themed fun! Whether you’re a local or a visitor, following our Book Bench Trail is a fantastic way of discovering different areas of the city as well as learning a little about our rich literary past.
Amble along the 5.7km trail, finding each of the 8 benches and stopping at Norwich’s wonderful selection of shops, cafes and sights along the way. Each with a unique design- from stacked books to open spines- discover some of the city’s famous literary links, including Anna Sewell’s ‘Black Beauty’ and Julian of Norwich’s ‘Revelations of Divine Love’.
Take part in activities and stories as part of the Sainsbury Centre’s Sculpture Park trails
Art at the Sainsbury Centre is for everyone- that goes for families too! You can get up close to the displays and exhibitions by using their Explorer Tools- including different coloured filters and binoculars. Small hands can also stay busy with clipboards, pencils and designated making tables where you’re encouraged to make your own artworks!
Out in the Sculpture Park, there are free guided sculpture tours for families, with activities and stories along the way. Made especially for younger visitors, you’ll meet some of the trail’s amazing works, whilst getting outside for a run around. (Just make sure to book in advance!).
One of the best places to feed the birds in Norwich is Whitlingham Country Park!
Whitlingham is an oasis of calm on Norwich’s doorstep- this is where the Broads begin. And with 280 acres of beautiful natural space to explore, where better for a morning or afternoon spent outside?
Take a slow stroll around the 2-mile circular walk- it’s also suitable for parents with prams and families that enjoy cycling. And the water is always dotted with wildlife and different birds diving in and out. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic, too- so why not let the ducks join in? Take your breadcrumbs and scatter them about along the water’s edge!
And if that’s not enough, make sure to visit our Families page, What’s On page and City of Stories blog during the school holidays. From festivals like Norwich Science Festival (February) and Norwich Games Festival (May) to trails, workshops and fun challenges at the likes of Chantry Place, Castle Quarter and Norwich Theatre Royal. Oh, and there’s Break’s GoGoSafari trail to get involved with this summer, too!
