Love Norwich.
Norwich is often named as the most romantic city in the UK thanks to its huge range of romantic things to do, hotels and fantastic restaurants. So, if you were looking for the perfect place to take your next couples break, or want to celebrate something special, look no further.
Check out our round-up of reasons why you should be booking a short break to Norwich, the City of Stories, with the love of your life.
Norwich Cathedral
Romantic walks hand in hand, admiring your surroundings (and your partner!) is one of the best activities for love struck couples. Norwich Cathedral is located in 44-acres of grounds including a riverside walk and it has the largest monastic cloisters in England. If you love atmosphere, history, architecture and space – this is the walk for you.
Take a romantic stroll around the Cathedral Close
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
Explore inside and out at the Sainsbury Centre where you can view stunning pieces: Picasso, Giacometti, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Degas and so much more. Free entry to the permanent collection and the Sculpture Park which includes Antony Gormley and Elisabeth Frink artworks.
Love Light Norwich 2022
This free city centre festival is perfect for Valentine’s celebrations – why not come to Norwich during Love Light Norwich to experience some beautiful light installations. Love Light Norwich is a bold and bright festival with stunning projections, performances and works of art designed to amaze and delight. This free festival takes place in biennial at various locations in the city centre and is themed around love and belonging. It’s the perfect festival experience for couples to enjoy together!
Love Light Festival Norwich
Make your own recipe gin
Gyre & Gimble is the ideal place for a little romance. This chic cocktail bar serves its own homemade gin, making it a great place to enjoy a drink on date night. Book a Gin Academy Experience for two and make your own recipe made of botanicals (and love!). On one of their Gin Academy days, you’ll be guided through making your own gin with an expert distiller. Once your gin is ready, they will label, bottle and wax seal your gin so you can take it home with you. Oh and that’s not forgetting the selection of G&T’s you’ll enjoy throughout the experience.
Plantation Garden
Norwich’s secret garden is as romantic as you can get. Wrap up, take a flask of steaming coffee, and pick up a pastry or two too, and explore this hidden 3-acre oasis, filled with secret spots and beautiful sights. Take a romantic stroll around the huge gothic fountain, the many flower beds, Italianate terrace, woodland walkways and Victorian style rustic bridge. Or you can just take a seat and relax.
Is there a nicer setting to take a romantic stroll than the Plantation Garden?
Mousehold Heath
What’s more romantic than taking a walk or having a picnic as you look out over Norwich’s skyline? Better yet, why not take some blankets and a flask of hot chocolate and make your way there to see the sunset. You won’t find a more romantic view in the whole of the city – there’s a reason so many proposals happen here!
There’s nothing quite as romantic than a picnic at this gorgeous scenic spot
Cafes
The Norwich Lanes and Cathedral Quarter are full of beautiful independent cafes with tables for two inside and out. Share a delicious slice of cake and sip on coffees as you watch the world go by. We’d recommend Bread Sauce for a relaxed atmosphere, Strangers Coffee for a delicious pick-me-up, and The Waffle House for some hot drinks (or one of their brilliant milkshakes) accompanied by delightful dessert.
Bars
Norwich once had a pub for every day of the year, and while that’s not quite true now, there’s certainly lots of choice for evening drinks in the city. We’d recommend The Playhouse Bar, which is known for its welcoming atmosphere and pretty riverside location. Mysabar is also back this winter season, positioned under the lights of Norwich Castle. This covered outdoor festival is perfect for getting cosy with heaters, 18-tap bar, and local food vendors serving up delicious fare.
And don’t miss a visit to Sir Toby’s Beers on Norwich Market for drinks at the smallest bar in Norwich. This quaint stall is stocked full craft beers and ales, and at Christmas, it’s the ideal place to stop off for a warming cup of mulled wine after a little festive shopping.
There’s plenty of romantic cafes and bars in the city.
Romantic dinners
Book a table at one of the best restaurants in Norwich- Benedicts. This 3AA Rosette fine-dining restaurant owned by personable chef proprietor Richard Bainbridge is the place for a romantic meal. We recommend an 8-course tasting menu full of Norfolk produce with the wine flight. There is also a private dining room offering an intimate space for 6 to 10 guests, situated on the first floor and overlooking St Gregory’s Green and St Benedicts Street. It’s the perfect space for family gatherings or small wedding receptions.
The Broads National Park
Walk or cycle your way around Whitlingham Country Park just a step out of Norwich city centre. Hire a bike with Beryl Bikes if you can’t bring your own. Or head out further and hire or stay on a boat on the Broads with Norfolk Broads Direct. Think calm, tranquil countryside, open water, beautiful natural habitats, picnics and wine.
Chris Levine at Houghton Hall
Get yourselves to Norwich before 23 December and make sure you get your tickets for Chris Levine at Houghton Hall. This incredible light exhibition will blow your mind. Called 528 Hx Love Frequency this winter show covers energy, geometry, laser beams, spirituality, quasi-holographic portraits and so much more. Houghton is an hour’s drive from Norwich.
Chris Levine, 528 Hz Love Frequency at Houghton Hall, Installation view, Courtesy the artist, Pete Huggins
The Assembly House
The Assembly House is a boutique B&B in the heart of Norwich with 15 delectable rooms all individually styled and all different in size and shape. It doesn’t get much more romantic that this. Think roll top baths, four poster beds, balconies – you get the picture. Check their website for the latest offers.
The gorgeous rooms at The Assembly House are perfect for a couples retreat
The Maids Head Hotel
The Maids Head opposite Norwich Cathedral is another lovely option. Cosy and charming, there are a range of feature rooms and suites with gorgeous furnishings. And stays here at weekends include a complimentary 30-minute tour of Norwich in a vintage Bentley! Say no more.
