by Katie Thompson
For any culture vulture, Norwich is the city for you. Where to start? Well, the City of Stories is home to an amazing array of must-visit museums.
They span hundreds of years- from our rich medieval heritage to the people and industries that make Norwich what it is today (that is, a fine city). And on top of that, we’re proud to be home to a world-leading art museum and preserve some of the finest South Asian crafts.
Here’s our low-down on the best museums in Norwich. Now’s the time to start planning your visit!
Norwich Castle is an unmissable museum experience
Probably our most iconic museum- it’s hard to miss Norwich Castle!
Housed in the wings of its former Victorian prison, Norwich Castle’s museum spans East Anglian and natural history, archaeology, and fine, decorative and contemporary art. Here, you can find out what life was like for the Romans and Boudicca, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Explore the fine specimens in the Natural History galleries and admire examples of Norwich shawls, before celebrating the works of the Norwich School artists. (Top tip: remember to visit the Castle’s special exhibitions- they’re included in your ticket!)
And from 7 August, Norwich Castle Keep reopens after a 5-year wait! You’ll be able to explore this Royal Palace Reborn from its basements to its battlements (becoming the People’s Palace thanks to each floor being completely accessible), taking in painstakingly reinstated original medieval floors and fully furnished rooms. There will be brand-new interactive and multisensory elements and a Gallery of Medieval Life with almost 1000 medieval artefacts- created in partnership with the British Museum, it’s the first outside of London. Are you as excited as we are?
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery is open daily, 10am – 5pm. Adults £8.20, children £6.90.
Discover all about Norwich’s people and industries at the Museum of Norwich
As a city known for its community, its industries and its history, there’s nowhere better than the Museum of Norwich to discover Norwich’s fascinating past (it’s completely accessible and celebrates its 100th birthday in 2025).
With 10 eye-catching galleries of interactive, object-rich displays, you really get a sense of what life was like. Take a stroll through the Shopping and Trading display, passing shopfronts which reference milliner Rumsey Wells, celebrated figure Parson Woodforde and our unique Valentine’s Eve celebrations.
Then head upstairs to admire a 19th century handloom restored to full working order, a recreated 20th century pharmacist’s shop and the footwear from Norwich’s booming shoemaking era.
The Museum of Norwich is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm. Adults £8.20, children £6.90.
Step back in time at Strangers’ Hall
Strangers’ Hall is one of Norwich oldest and most exquisite buildings. Named for the 16th century Strangers (Flemish weavers seeking refuge from religious persecution), this wonderfully preserved 14th century house weaves (if you’ll pardon the pun) architecture, history and charm together.
You’ll see elegant furnishings and intricate woodwork as you wander the Hall’s maze of historic rooms, from the dark beams of the Tudor Great Hall to the Georgian Dining Room with its grand chandelier and floral embroidery of the Victorian Parlour. Outside, step into the tranquil Elizabethan Knot Garden- designed to be viewed from above from the Great Chamber.
Strangers’ Hall is open Wednesday, Saturdays & Sundays, 10am – 4pm. Adults £7.10, children £6.20.
The South Asia Collection houses a range of beautiful and fascinating pieces
Tucked away on Bethel Street in a restored Victorian roller-skating rink- just take a look at the stunning wooden arched ceiling, The South Asia Collection is one of Norwich’s hidden gems.
Take your time and wander among displays of beautiful South and Southeast Asian arts and crafts. Here, you can really appreciate the artistry of these creations- from expertly carved wooden furniture to skilfully woven rugs, delicate embroidery and even the lost art of wax casting.
Discover vibrant paintings of Indian deities, shining copper and brass works from Lahore and beaded jewellery of the Naga people. The collection doesn’t just conserve and preserve pieces from India, but from countries like Pakistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Indonesia, too. Take home your own piece of this culture from their Country and Eastern shop.
The South Asia Collection is open Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 5pm, and is FREE to enter.
Have you ever hugged a Henry Moore?
Set in the glorious grounds of the University of East Anglia in a futuristic Norman Foster-designed building, the Sainsbury Centre isn’t an ordinary art museum.
For starters, they recognise art as living, allowing you to truly get up close and personal with iconic sculptures, paintings and more. Meet the art with a unique audio experience, feel the cool stone when you hug Henry Moore’s ‘Mother and Child’, and recline as you look up at Giacometti’s ‘Diego Seated’. You can even become an artwork in a life-size glass case!
The museum also tackles the big questions with their six-monthly exhibition series. Previous themes include ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’, ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ and ‘Can We Stop Killing Each Other?’. These exhibitions are both poignant and a celebration of human nature.
And outside, you can follow their Sculpture Park trail, where pieces by the likes of Antony Gormley and Lynn Chadwick will take you around the UEA Broad.
The Sainsbury Centre is open Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 6pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm. Pay what you can to enter.
Outside of Norwich, Norfolk has loads of interesting museums to visit
And our wonderful museums don’t stop at the city limits, either. If you’ve ticked off Norwich’s must-visit museums, make sure to check out Norfolk’s.
As well as our first three attractions in this list, Norfolk Museums Service looks after seven more museums across the county. You’ll find Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse near Dereham, Lynn Museum in King’s Lynn, Ancient House Museum of Life in Thetford and Cromer Museum on the North Norfolk coast. And further east in Great Yarmouth, you can make a day of it by visiting the Time & Tide Museum, Elizabethan House and Tolhouse Gaol.
Speaking of Great Yarmouth, this traditional seaside resort is also home to Anna Sewell House, birthplace of the eponymous Black Beauty author and aptly taken care of by Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
