By Katie Thompson
This is our itinerary for an unforgettable stay in our fine city.
By the end of three days, you’ll have experienced the most magical mix of old meets now here in Norwich. Think medieval settings with modern day soundscapes, fascinating stories from every era, loads of city pubs and waterside locations, two cathedrals, incredible architecture and picture-perfect historic streets, and artworks of old masters with contemporary sculpture.
And in between all of this, there’s a plethora of independent stores and eateries to keep you occupied and your tummy full (plus, plenty of treats to take home!).
We suggest arriving early and leaving later so you don’t miss anything!
The Plantation Garden is Norwich’s secret oasis
Start your day in Norwich at The Plantation Garden, a secret oasis brimming with joyful colour and calming birdsong at springtime.
From your phone, open Wandering Words – a selection of commissioned poems recorded in locations across Norwich from the National Centre for Writing (located on King Street, for those who are tempted to visit!). You can listen to each poem with its unique soundscape to reveal new perspectives from your location- starting here in this three-acre Victorian garden. This is a traditionally different way to play tourist in our UNESCO City of Literature.
On Earlham Road, head towards the city centre from the garden entrance. Strolling past the impressive facade of St John the Baptist– an amazing Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral hiding beautiful stained glass and stonework, cross the footbridge over Grapes Hill to Upper St Giles Street, the tip of the Norwich Lanes. Take note: the cathedral is free to visit and in the warmer months you can buy tickets to take a tower tour for unforgettable city skyline views!
Just a few minutes’ walk away, wander with words to two new locations. Down Cow Hill (look out for the wisteria-clad pink cottage) and Ten Bells Lane, you’ll arrive at St Benedicts Street, or follow St Giles Street past our striking flint-knapped guildhall to London Street – you are now in the heart of The Norwich Lanes. Their narrow, cobbled walkways are lined with whimsical storefronts and local eateries to dine al fresco. Here, you’ll be surrounded by independent spirit– from antiques (in a church!) to conscious fashion at Atwin and bespoke velvet slippers from Bowhill & Elliott.
On your way, spot over 50 plaques gracing the Lanes’ pathways, alongside distinctive red posts commemorating our city’s rich history. Look out for swans, doves and even a lobster! You’ll now have a feel for Norwich having started rather unconventionally. And it’s the city’s mix of old and now that makes it the perfect place for a unique spring break.
The Lanes’ narrow, cobbled walkways are lined with whimsical storefronts
On Bridewell Alley – once home to weavers from the low-lands – enter The Museum of Norwich. This is the attraction to really immerse yourself into the City of Stories’ social history. And you may notice a familiar pub name or two! Here you can find out about how Peter the Wildboy ended up in the Bridewell prison, learn about our quirky Victorian Valentine’s Eve tradition and the mischievous yet generous Jack Valentine, and admire the designs of Edwardian maverick milliner Herbert Rumsey Wells.
We’ll let you onto a little secret. There’s one more attraction if you want the full Norwich experience- The Shoebox Experiences’ Hidden Street Tour. Yes, there really is a medieval street hidden beneath Castle Meadow! And their guides are super knowledgeable and full of fascinating facts you’ll want to share. You’ll have your bearings like a local in no time!
While away the final moments of your first day in the soft spring light. Perhaps you’ve noticed Norwich’s creative community? You can familiarise yourself with the rest of the city by walking our self-guided Urban Art Trail– there are 12 smaller artworks on Norwich Market alone! Why not use the opportunity to pop into some of our brilliant local businesses and stop at a pavement café along the way? Or there’s plenty of buzzing bars and restaurants for something a little stronger.
The Details
Visit: Plantation Garden (£2), Museum of Norwich (£7.80, closed Sundays & Mondays); The Shoebox Experiences’ Hidden Street Tour (£15); Wandering Words (free).
Eat & Drink: The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant; The Wildman pub; The Rumsey Wells.
Shop: Atwin; Bowhill & Elliott; Jarrolds independent department store.
Stay: The Assembly House, from £170 per night; ; All Hallows Guesthouse, from £45 per night; Maids Head Hotel, from £130 per night; Gothic House, from £110 per night. Find more on our Stay page.
Squeeze In: An evening riverside walk along the Wensum; a self-guided walking tour booklet: Imagining the City or Walking Norwich the Real and Imagined City (free + P&P, you need to pre order to get your copy sent before you arrive).
Bread Source at the Refectory Cafe in Norwich Cathedral
We’re back on the walking trail to start day two. Pick up Wandering Words at St Martin at Palace Plain, close to Norwich’s oldest pub – The Adam & Eve (and a good place to return to later).
From here, entering Norwich Cathedral via the charming green of Cathedral Close (if you have time join a free 1-hour tour), visit the Refectory Café above its Harry Potter-esque cloister. It’s the largest monastic cloister in the country with over 1200 brightly painted carved roof bosses.
The Refectory Cafe is a bright and airy space where medieval meets modern within the cathedral walls. Here you’ll discover Bread Source – you’ll smell it before you see it, an artisan bakery well-known for its many spots around the city. Open daily, it’s the perfect place to pop in for cake and a catch-up or light lunches. We think the coffee’s pretty good, too. Between their freshly baked loaves and the warming scent of flaky pastries, we find it hard to choose sweet or savoury.
If you want to appreciate the balmy weather, then settle on a bench in Norwich Cathedral’s Herb Garden with another Wandering Words soundscape. It’s also the best time of year to spot the Cathedral spire’s resident peregrine falcon family soaring above!
Heading to Tombland through the Ethelbert Gate, get lost in a poem as you make your way through Norwich’s Cathedral Quarter, a taste of traditional England in our cultured capital. And we think this is best encapsulated by none other than VisitNorwich favourite Elm Hill.
Elm Hill is without a doubt Norwich’s most famous street (and most complete medieval street), and we bet it’s on your must-see list. Did you know there are more Tudor buildings on this quaint and cobbled lane than the entire City of London?
Speaking of Elm Hill, we recommend the Britons Arms. It’s a small independent coffee shop and restaurant where you’re sure to savour their homemade cakes and delicious food. And the building itself is one of the sole survivors of the great fire of 1507- just admire its 14th century thatched roof.
The Britons Arms at the top of Elm Hill
Our suggestion: the Britons Arms boasts one of the best Sunday roasts in the city, piled high with all the trimmings. And we’ll let you onto a little secret- you can enjoy all this alfresco in the leafy-green hidden courtyard! Sunbathe in the warm spring sunshine which is flanked by the 15th century church of St Peter Hungate and the 14th century flint walls of the Halls. Just like Norwich, the Britons Arms is a place that perfectly balances the old with the now.
Spending time on the river in spring means wrapping up warm, but it’s worth it. Head to the small jetty by ancient Fye Bridge and join Pub & Paddle (from 5 April) for some gentle watery pursuits in a canoe along the river Wensum (once a medieval trade route). Did you know Norwich is the only city in England in a national park?
Then once you’re home and dry, end your day with a well-deserved drink on the riverside terrace at The Ribs of Beef pub. Why not sip on a spritz while you take in the contemporary heritage around you?
The Details
Visit: Norwich Cathedral (free entry & free tours); Elm Hill; Pub & Paddle (from £14 per person).
Eat & Drink: Bread Source at Norwich Cathedral; Britons Arms; The Ribs of Beef; dinner at Namaste Village or the Snug at the Maids Head Hotel.
Shop: The Bear Shop; Dormouse Bookshop; Elm Hill Craft Shop; The Jade Tree.
Squeeze in: Norwich’s Medieval Merchants’ Marks – Make Your Mark! Follow this wonderful self-guided trail of merchant marks which have been brought up to date by designer and researcher Darren Leader as part of a digital heritage project. This is a superb example of old meets now!
The Royal Arcade
Today is one for the art-lovers- Norwich is our cultured capital. Did we mention it’s brimming with contemporary culture and historical heritage? This is old meets now.
Your early walk is now routine. Grab a tasty takeaway coffee and start the day at St Julian’s Church– dedicated to the first woman to write a book in the English language– Julian of Norwich, for the final location of Wandering Words.
Then it’s time to head over to Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, just a 10-minute walk via Rouen Road. This wouldn’t be a trip to Norwich without visiting our iconic landmark: we invite you to come face to face with centuries of history all in one place.
Sitting high above the streets of Norwich, the castle‘s new glass atrium means we can now see the medieval East façade for the first time (in a very long time). This grand renovation will later see the Keep returned to its medieval status as well as open a ‘Gallery of Medieval Life’ in partnership with the British Museum (the first of its kind outside London).
But whilst we wait for the Keep (and battlements) to re-open, the museum’s five art galleries offer a myriad of art, from the largest collection of works by the Norwich School of Artists to incredible oils like The Paston Treasure and Tower of Babel by Tobias Verhaecht.
Make your way towards the multi-coloured rooftops of Norwich’s iconic market and you’ll find yourself at the Art Nouveau entrance of the Royal Arcade. A glistening gem full of unique independents and eateries like Yalm food hall, here you’re sure to find something to your liking. Whether it’s bespoke jewellery at Sonkai, quirky homeware at Lazy Lobster or sustainable skincare from Izola, with a sweet macaron thrown in for good measure, make sure it’s on your must-see list!
Don’t miss the opportunity to look up when you’re in the Royal Arcade. Its eye-catching style was designed by local architect George Skipper over a hundred years ago, he’s well-known among these parts. And if you’re in Norwich on a weekday, we recommend fitting in a visit to another of Skipper’s gems: Marble Hall. We can assure you won’t be disappointed.
The Sculpture Park, Sainsbury Centre
Where else to end your day but the Sainsbury Centre?
It might not be your conventional time-travelling machine, but, believe us, the number 25 bus can transport you 900 years. Arrive at your destination straight from the city centre – what’s just 2 miles away feels otherworldly.
Inside this revolutionary hangar-like Norman Foster-designed building, discover world art spanning 5000 years – including Kneeling female figure (1200 – 1520, Mesoamerica, Mexico, The Americas), Seated female nude (Picasso, 1909 Europe, France), and Goodwood Steps (Anthony Caro, 1996). Nowhere else would you find delicate ancient pottery rubbing shoulders with modern steel sculptures.
And it’s accessible art for all. The museum’s ‘pay what you can scheme’ means we can experience thought provoking exhibitions with the likes of light installations and immersive virtual reality for nothing or a donation. And the museum is the only art museum in the world to recognise art as living. So, yes, you can hug a Henry Moore.
The Details
Visit: Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (£7.80); Sainsbury Centre (pay what you can, closed Mondays).
Eat & Drink: Beforenoon Tea at The Assembly House; Norwich Market.
Shop: Norwich Castle shop; Loake; Lazy Lobster in The Royal Arcade; Sainsbury Centre shop.
Squeeze In: Marble Hall (office hours only, Monday – Friday)
