Gardens
Plantation Garden more details
Earlham Road
The Plantation Garden is a grade II English Heritage registered garden established 143 years ago in an abandoned chalk quarry in the city centre – Norwich’s secret garden! It comprises nearly 3 acres in all, and includes; a huge gothic fountain, flower beds, lawns, Italianate terrace, 'Medieval' terrace wall, woodland walkways and rustic bridge.
Bishop’s Garden more details
Bishopgate, Norwich
A four acre walled garden dating back to the 12th century in the grounds of the Bishop’s House. Open to the public only for a few dates in the summer. This garden is another of Norwich’s secret gardens; refreshments, small woodland walk, kitchen garden, ornate gardens, bamboo walk, grass labyrinth, boxed rose beds, plant sales. Look out for the history of some of the plants, one has been grown from a sprig taken Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet in 1840!
Castle Gardens/Castle Green more details
Castle Meadow & above The Mall, City Centre
Attractive seating area, historical value, open-air theatre, Children’s toddler play area.
Chapelfield Gardens
Chapelfield North
Junior and toddler play area, Petanque, historical value, horticultural interest, toilets, attractive seating area, giant chess, café, bandstand concerts during the summer.
Cathedral Gardens more details
Norwich Cathedral, Tombland
Take a brief walk along the Upper Close Green, past the statues of Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Sit and relax with a picnic taking in the back drop of the beautiful Cathedral. Walk down into Cathedral Close where you will find the entrance to the Cathedral Herb Garden, open to everyone. Further along there is The Close ‘village green’, another great place to sit, read, enjoy lunch or let the children have a run around.
Strangers’ Hall Garden more details
Charing Cross, Norwich
A quarter of an acre garden hidden behind Strangers' Hall, the home of wealthy merchants and mayors of the 16th and 17th Centuries opens on July 5th (11am- 4pm) for the first time for the Norfolk Garden Scheme. It is an unexpected peaceful oasis in a busy part of the city. Strangers' Hall museum, St Gregory's' Church and the Maddermarket Theatre enclose the garden.
Norwich Gardens
Every year thousands of gardens throughout England and Wales get ready to welcome visitors through the
National Gardens Scheme. Here in Norfolk, gardens range from the small and quirky to the large and grand. Very often you will have a chance to meet the owners, enjoy home-made refreshments and purchase some exciting plants.
Parks and Green Spaces
Eaton Park more details
South Park Avenue
Eaton Park is a large park with special historic interest and many leisure facilities. The circular pavilion, with its distinctive domed bandstand, is next to a lily pond and model yachting pond. There is a children’s play area, an 18-hole pitch and putt course, tennis courts, gardens, bowls, model railway (Sundays), junior and toddler play area, cricket, attractive seating area, cafe and plenty of open space.
Don’t miss the series of bandstand concerts in the summer, plus the open-air theatre for adults and children.
Earlham Park
Earlham Road
Once the grounds of Earlham Hall, this large riverside park is next to the University of East Anglia. It has wide open spaces, woods and walks beside the river Yare. The park connects with numerous nature reserves, UEA Broad and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. The park offers horticultural interest, toilets, attractive seating area, wildlife interest, woods and river walk, café and is often used for open-air events. On certain dates the park is a base for hot air balloons taking off.
Mousehold Heath
Gurney Road
St James’ Hill, beside Britannia Road gives panoramic views over Norwich. It adjoins Mousehold Heath, which has 180 acres of undulating woodland and heath, crossed by tracks and footpaths. There is also an eighteen-hole pitch and putt golf course. toilets, football, seasonal ice-cream vendor, historical value, attractive seating area, wildlife interest and bandstand.
St Georges
St Georges Street, Norwich City Centre
A lovely little area of Norwich, right by the river! Situated just down from St Andrews Hall and close to The Playhouse it has a junior play area and toddler play area. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants close so you can have a cup of coffee whilst putting your feet up.
Waterloo Park
Angel Road
Bowls, tennis (hard & grass), putting, junior and toddler play area, children’s paddling pool, informal football, herbaceous border, seasonal ice cream vendor, toilets.
Wensum Park
Drayton Road
Historical value, horticultural interest, toilets, junior and toddler play area, children’s paddling pool, attractive seating area, wildlife interest, natural area and river walk.
Whitlingham Country Park
Whitlingham Lane, Norwich
Nature trail walks and cycle trails through woods and meadows on the edge of the River Yare. Over 280 acres of beautiful countryside this is a perfect spot for walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers and family outings. The park has cycle paths, a picnic meadow, and a visitors centre with a café, information point and toilet facilities. If you want to get out onto the water try sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and sculling at Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre.