When you’re visiting somewhere new, what better way to get acquainted with the area and its history than with a walking tour? They’re fantastic for getting you orientated, seeing the major sights, and learning some facts that some of the locals might not even know! And when you’re visiting Norwich, you’re not only spoiled for historic tales, but a choice of the people who tell them too.
From hidden streets tucked away from unknowing passersby to fascinating stories told with an electric eccentricity, read on for our top picks for walking tours in the City of Stories.
Few people know more about the City of Stories than Paul Dickson, so you’re in safe hands when joining one of his many tours. In fact, with 18 Norwich-based tours to choose from, you’re sure to find one neatly aligned to what interests you about the city’s history.
For visitors brand-new to Norwich, you can see the major sights and find out everything you need to know across 1000 years of history with ‘Norwich, an Introduction’, exploring our ancient Cathedral Quarter, learning about the city’s historic woollen cloth and shoe-making industries, hearing stories of Norwich Castle, waltzing through the late Victorian Royal Arcade, and so much more. It’s a truly wonderful way to dive into our fine city. This tour lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, costing just £9 per person!
Other tours across Norwich include ‘Norwich the City of Stories’, where you’ll find out more about writers who have lived in the city and those who have written about Norwich, ‘Norwich on the Dark Side’, looking at the darker side of crime, punishment, filth, and misery in the city’s darker and lesser-known history, and many, many more. Whichever tour you choose, you really cannot go wrong. Find out more and book your tour on Paul Dickon’s website here.
Paul Dickson’s Tours are a fantastic way to get acquainted with the city across his variety of tours!
As the latest tour to grace the City of Stories, Norwich Story Walks describe their offering as ‘where history meets eccentricity in a whirlwind of storytelling adventure’, and that’s the perfect way to put it. Joining one of these walks is great fun and a brilliant way to see the city from an alternative perspective.
Right now, there’s one kind of tour available, the ‘Weird & Wonderful Story Walk’, and we’d really recommend you join it for an evening of laughs and mystery, light-hearted stories to darker tales, and a blend of fact and fiction from Norwich’s many legends. See sights from Norwich City Hall and Norwich Castle, all the way to lesser-seen locations like Augustine Steward’s House and the Maddermarket Theatre. The Weird & Wonderful Story Walk lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, and costs £10 per person, book your spot on the Norwich Story Walks website!
And keep your eyes peeled for more tours to come, like ‘Her Story Walk’ and ‘His Story Walk’, which respectively will tell tales of the significant women and men to have made Norwich what it is today. We can’t wait for it, and if you join the Weird & Wonderful Story Walk, you’ll see why!
If you want to see the city in a different light, look no further than Norwich Story Walks.
From fascinating tours of some of Norwich’s best kept secrets, to tours with a twist that are unlike any other in the city, The Shoebox Experiences offering is full of must-dos for everyone – visitor and local alike!
The real highlight is ‘Norwich’s Hidden Street Tour’, which takes you down below The Shoebox’s Community Hub into a real former street of the city. It’s full of stories about the street itself, the exposed former buildings still visible, who lived in them, and how the street was covered over to never be seen in the public eye again… until now! The Hidden Street Tour costs £15 per adult, £8 per child aged 4-12.
The Shoebox Experiences’ other tours include the ‘Tavern Trail Tour’, where you will visit pubs across the city and enjoy a half-pint of local ale or cider in the final pub (with the ‘Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour’ also available, in which you visit more pubs and have even more drinks!), the ‘Magnificent Marble Hall Tour’, ‘The Matriarchs, Mayors and Merchants Tour’ and so many more. Find the full range of tours and book your spot on The Shoebox Experiences website!
The Shoebox Experiences Hidden Street Tour is perfect for seeing more of what many didn’t know existed!
Sometimes, the best way to experience a city isn’t just through the sights and history, but the very best food and drink too. And for that, there’s no better tour guide than Cheryl Cade. As a Beer Sommelier, Academy of Cheese Trainer, and International Food & Drink Judge, Cheryl knows what it takes to impress your tastebuds – and you can enjoy it all while also learning more about the City of Stories – what’s not to love?
The main event of Cheryl’s tours is the ‘Beer & Cheese Tour’, which sees you visiting 5 different venues across 4 hours to sip on a local beer (alternatives available for non-drinkers) and tuck into a specially selected local cheese alongside it – perfectly paired by Cheryl, of course. On top of that, Cheryl will also answer any and all questions, show you how to judge both beer and cheese like a professional, and introduce you to the history of Norwich between venues. As you can guess, this tour is for over-18s only, costing £46 per person. Book your spot on Cheryl’s website here!
And if you’re looking for a shorter tour but still want to enjoy some of the City of Stories’ delights, other tours from Cheryl include the ‘Cathedral to Cathedral tour’, ‘Gin Tour’, ‘Cheese Tour’, and her brand-new walk… the ‘Sausage Roll Tour’. Ranging from 2 hours to 3 hours and 30 minutes, these tours are all absolutely great fun, and a wonderful way to experience a totally unique side of Norwich. Find out more about these tours on Cheryl’s website!
Eating good food, sipping on something delicious, and learning more about the city is on the menu on a Cheryl Cade tour.
If you’re looking for something a bit spookier, no matter the time of year, then take a walk through the haunted streets of Norwich with Norwich Ghost Walks! Since 1998, they’ve been thrilling visitors with real-life stories of mysterious goings-on… are you brave enough?
The choice is yours. Explore the oldest part of Norwich and its famous cobbled streets on the Elm Hill Walk (Tuesdays), where authentic Tudor buildings overlook the streets and dark alleyways twist and turn into hidden yards that you’re likely to miss. Or for an eerie stroll along the Wensum, opt for the River Walk (Thursdays), to learn the secrets of local landmarks like Fye Bridge and tales of its haunted past.
Each tour offers 2 hours packed with spooky adventure. Tickets are £12 or £10 for concessions and accompanied under 16s. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for special shows through out the rest of the year! Uncover other ghostly stories at Halloween, Christmas and during the summertime with Norwich Ghost Walks’ Norwich Castle Walk (also accessible for wheelchairs). Find out more on their website!
For spooky secrets, choose a Norwich Ghost Walk if you’re brave enough!
