by Katie Thompson
East Anglia may be the driest part of the country, but here in the UK it’s good to have a reliable list of indoor activities saved for a rainy day whatever the time of year. And this goes for friends, couples and solo travellers as well as families.
So, we won’t let a little bit of rain stop us! As you’re visiting Norwich, you can still expect to get your culture fix. We’ve got wet weather favourites like bowling and crazy golf, rich history to relive in our many museums, and one-of-a-kind attractions for trips into Norfolk.
Check out our favourite indoor activities below!
Get to know the city at the Museum of Norwich
With a history as rich as Norwich’s, it’s no surprise that our fine city streets are dotted with fantastic museums.
At Strangers’ Hall (adults £6.80, children £5.90, open seasonally Wednesday & Sunday), one of the city’s oldest buildings, you can follow in the footsteps of Norwich natives, from the 14th century to Victorian times. Meanwhile, the Museum of Norwich (adults £7.80, children £6.60, closed Mondays) is all about the city’s people and industries. Chances are you’ve visited a pub named for a local figure- well, this is where you can learn about the likes of Rumsey Wells and Parson Woodford. Our top tip: open every drawer to see some of the museum’s most special items!
Looking out across the city: Norwich Castle (adults £7.80, children £6.60, open daily). Our iconic Norman keep is a royal palace reborn (the Keep is due to re-open in summer, whilst the rest of the museum remains open), home to historic displays and leading exhibitions. Think Romans and Egyptians, natural history and contemporary art- there’s something to capture every imagination!
And while it may not be a museum, The Shoebox Experience’s Hidden Street Tour (adults £16.50, children £8.50) is another unique way of experiencing Norwich’s past. We don’t want to give away all the details, but this fascinating tour takes you beneath Castle Meadow to discover Norwich before it became the city we recognise today.
Remember to look up at The South Asia Collection!
When it’s raining outside, you appreciate the buildings you’re in that little bit more. And when these architectural gems are also Norwich’s key cultural attractions, even better.
The Sainsbury Centre (Tuesday – Sunday, pay if and what you can) is an innovative art museum in a futuristic Norman Foster-designed building (so much so, it has a starring role as Avengers HQ in the Marvel Universe). Alongside forward-thinking exhibitions, the museum’s permanent Living Area juxtaposes pieces across different cultures and periods. For the younger ones, there are trails available from the main desk as well as bookable workshops for hands-on and multi-sensory experiences.
In the city centre, The South Asia Collection (Monday – Saturday, FREE) conserves, promotes and records South Asian culture and crafts from countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar and Indonesia. The collection includes over 8,500 artworks and objects. And when you enter, look up! This beautiful building was originally a Victorian roller-skating rink and boasts a breathtaking carved wooden ceiling.
Norwich is home to two cathedrals, both free to enter. The Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist is a fine example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, thanks to its grand columns, imposing facade and intricate stained-glass windows. Meanwhile, Romanesque Norwich Cathedral is another 900-year-old Norman icon. Its spire is the second tallest in the country and its monastic cloisters the largest- the vaulted ceiling is simply stunning. If you have children with you, remember to borrow a free Explorer Backpack to uncover the cathedral’s secrets! Both cathedrals offer tasty treats in their cafes, meaning you can take your time and really appreciate your surroundings.
You can’t go wrong with a bit of bowling- especially when there’s tasty food and karaoke involved!
Nothing beats a little friendly competition. Luckily, we’ve got great leisure and entertainment venues to make you forget the weather outside.
At Bowling House, you’ll find five lanes of funky, retro-style bowling. The lanes are slightly shorter than usual but that makes it a level playing field- anyone can win! Lanes are available to hire from £20 for 3 people or you can go all in with one of Bowling House’s tempting packages and tuck into their delicious sharing plates! A quick mention goes to their karaoke booths, too.
Castle Quarter is more than just a shopping centre, it’s also home to a variety of entertainment (including that all-important rainy-day activity: the cinema). Head to Retro Replay for nostalgic arcade games like Pac Man and Space Invaders or to Arrowheadz to hone your darts skills. For the little ones there’s Crazy Club indoor play and Escape Hunt for groups to test their teamwork!
For an evening of indoor excitement, try Mulligans. Take games night to the next level with rebound shuffleboard, electrodarts and an 18-hole course of pop culture-themed crazy golf! Before 8.45pm, it’s also a great place to take the family, especially with tweens and teens. Or at Slice + Dice, it’s all about board games. Tuck into delicious vegan food at this cafe-cum-bar-and-restaurant while you try your hand at familiar favourites or get strategic with something new!
Try at bug-handling experience at The Bug Parc
If you’re staying in Norwich a bit longer, not even the weather should stop you exploring all that Norfolk has to offer!
The Bug Parc is an award-winning attraction that’s only 12 miles from Norwich city centre. Open all year round (Wednesday – Sunday/Mondays – Sunday during school holidays, adults £11.95, children £9.95, under 4s FREE), this totally unique bug zoo educates and entertains wildlife enthusiasts of all ages.
With 3 tropical houses housing 15 different bug zones, here you can discover over 200 species of minibeasts! Come face to face with invertebrates, arachnids and ants- you can even book a bug-handling experience (£2pp) that’ll (quite literally) put millipedes and more in the palm of your hand. And if you’re not all bugged-out, you can even take home an edible insect lollipop from the gift shop!
Closer to the coast (a 50-minute drive from Norwich), Thursford’s Steam Museum (April – October, Sunday – Wednesday, £9pp, under 12s FREE) houses the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs. Whilst you’re here, listen to the mighty Wurlitzer (boasting 1339 pipes!), explore Thursford’s Showman engine and take a ride on original vintage fairground rides (£3pp)! This attraction is exciting to all ages and absolutely one of the best for putting a smile on your face!
