An Accessible Itinerary to Norwich

by Katie Thompson

We all love a trip to look forward to, right? Whether you’re searching for your ideal city break in the City of Stories as a Norwich first-timer or your love for our fine city is so strong you can’t keep away. (We know which category we fall into!) And whatever your ability, mobility or perspective, Norwich is a destination that welcomes all.

From accessible accommodation to historic attractions, art museums and theatres, there’s something to see for every visitor, local or otherwise- that goes for families, too. And with our handy accessible need-to-know guide, you can relax and enjoy yourself knowing the best places for parking, seating, toilets and more.

Check out our accessible itinerary to Norwich below for a stress-free, fun-filled break!

Accessible Need-to-Know

Accessible Attractions

Accessible Food & Drink

Accessible Shopping

Accessible Accommodation

Norwich Map

Day One
Norwich Castle/ Norwich Market/ The Lanes/ Norwich Theatre Royal

//Stay: The Assembly House, from £170 per night (breakfast included)
//Visit: Norwich Theatre Royal; The Forum; Norwich Castle
//Shop: Chantry Place; Castle Quarter
//Eat: Rosa’s Thai; Yalm; Norwich Market; Prelude at Norwich Theatre Royal

A visit to the castle is sure to be top of your Norwich bucket list!

Morning

It’s not a visit to Norwich without visiting Norwich Castle (open daily, adults from £15.30, children from £13.05, prebook online for the best prices, free companion tickets)! Chances are you’ve seen our iconic Norman keep– not to mention the UK’s most accessible castle– keeping watch over the city. (Top tip: one of our favourite views of this landmark is from in front of City Hall, overlooking the marketplace!)

This impressive building may have been built over 900 years ago, but today it’s fit for the 21st century. Relax and enjoy your visit thanks to the Changing Places toilet, portable hearing loop, large print information and braille labelling. Following the Keep’s multi-million-pound redevelopment, wheelchair-friendly lifts will take you from basements to battlements, where panoramic skyline views await, while seating dotted throughout will give you time to admire eye-catching displays in the brilliant museum and art gallery (the Castle’s former Victorian prison).

Whether you want to know more about warrior queen Boudicca, experience art from the Norwich School firsthand or see examples of exquisite Norwich shawls. (You can find out more about Norwich’s incredible industries at the Museum of Norwich. Located in Bridewell Alley, this museum is also fully accessible with lifts, on-site wheelchair, audio cassette and multi-sensory displays.) Just don’t forget to visit the Castle’s major exhibition space (included in admission), which has showcased the likes of Colin Self and JMW Turner!

A view of Castle Gardens underneath an arched flint bridge with iron railings. The sky is blue with light clouds. In the foreground there is a black bin to the left and greenery and pink flowers on the right. A man in a denim jacket and jeans walks with his bike towards the arch. Through the arch are benches, greenery and a small building on the left.

Head to Castle gardens for step-free access to Norwich Castle

If you time it right, there are 2 accessible parking spaces outside, with drop-off available. Or, you can park at Castle Quarter– home to 2 car parks and 30 accessible spaces. (Not to mention a great selection of shops, eateries and entertainments venues to try!) From here, you can get the lift to the top floor, exiting onto Farmers’ Avenue. Via Castle Gardens and across the bridge to the museum entrance, you’ll enter Norwich’s most famous (probably) landmark!

There’s also a second step-free route via an external lift in Castle Gardens. In Castle Quarter, take the lift to Level 2 and exit onto Castle Meadow. Follow the path to the right until you’re opposite Arcade Hill. On your right, you’ll find a pathway around the bottom of the castle mound. Follow the path, where the lift is located on the left, just before the bridge crosses overhead, and takes you up to the Castle’s entrance.

Feeling peckish after exploring? It’s time to sample the multicultural flavours of Norwich’s delectable food and drink scene!

Enjoy tasty dishes at Rosa’s Thai that cater to a number of requirements

If you want something lighter, check out our 900-year-old market where you’ll smell aromas from across the world. There’s step-free access (suitable for wheelchairs) from the street and between each stall, as well as accessible seating when munching your meal. To get here from the castle, follow Farmers’ Avenue onto Castle Meadow, then go down the hill at Arcade Street through our wonderful Art Nouveau Royal Arcade (stopping to admire each store, of course!) and across Gentleman’s Walk towards the market’s multicoloured rooftops.

For a larger lunch, we suggest a pitstop at Yalm in the Royal Arcade- this multicultural food hall (accessible via wide doorways and lifts, with disabled toilets on both levels, flexible seating and water for your assistance dog) caters to every taste and menus are available digitally, making them easy to read and navigate (if you prefer ordering face-to-face, you can go up to each kitchen too).

Elsewhere, take a seat at Rosa’s Thai (to get here, make your way from the top of the marketplace, southwest from Millennium Plain, across Rampant Horse Street, to Chantry Square). Tuck into authentic, hearty dishes like Pad Thai and gaeng panang curry- the menu boasts plenty of vegetarian and vegan alternatives, plus a dedicated coeliac menu. Inside is bright and spacious, and if it’s warm you can enjoy your meal outside!

Afternoon

A view of shoppers walking to and from the entrance of Chantry Place on Chantry Square on a bright sunny day. Shoppers are in shorts and t-shirts. There is a grey and blue patterned dinosaur statue to the right. Behind that is a building with dining chairs and tables outside and a terrace on the first floor. On the left, the entrance to chantry Place has a large digital screen saying 'Summer'.

Chantry Place is home to high street heroes and local favourites

After refuelling, how about a spot of shopping? Norwich is known for its incredible independents– from vintage fashion and sustainable menswear to quirky lifestyle stores and unique bookshops.

We suggest stopping The Forum on Millennium Plain (home to a Changing Places toilet). Chances are there’ll be a fun event, market or art show here (especially at weekends)! And then there’s the Lanes, with its individual shopfronts (and access), and Jarrolds, our flagship independent department store that’s home to an amazing array of products. (It’s got step-free access from two entrances, accessible toilets and lifts to take you across its 5 floors.)

If you’re a lover of high-street heroes and local indies alike, pay a visit to Chantry Place. Thanks to its step-free access, Changing Places toilet and indoor seating, you can take your time and peruse each store at your leisure. Our favourite stops include local lifestyle store Lisa Angel and well-known brands H&M and Flannels.

Chantry Place is also home to Norwich’s Shopmobility service (Level -1, Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 4pm), where you can hire electric scooters, power chairs and wheelchairs for free during your time in our city.

A view of The Assembly House, a Georgian brick building with white frame windows and doorway with a stone arch surrounding it. To the left and right, the building is painted cream. It's a sunny day, with a clear blue sky. There is a fountain, manicured hedge and lawn in front of the entrance. On the left is a pathway under the shadow of a large white blossom tree.

In the heart of the city, The Assembly House offers luxury and practicality

Time to check in to your hotel. Just around the corner on Theatre Street, we suggest staying at The Assembly House (from £170 per night, breakfast included) is this a lovely Grade II-listed Georgian building right in the heart of the city (reducing the need to travel far). And this luxury B&B’s plush decor will make it hard to leave!

You can check in from 3pm and park in the accessible spaces at the rear of the building (and drop-off at the front door). There’s step-free access and free Wi-Fi throughout and Room 3 offers a spacious ground-floor room that’s fully accessible (Room 4 is also step-free). Think large contemporary bathroom (with roll-in access, drench shower and chair), a plump 6ft bed (that can be made into a double or twin), air conditioning and your own private courtyard!

Evening

Interior of Norwich Theatre Royal's empty auditorium. Looking out from the stage towards two levels of red seats in the stalls and the circle. The ceiling is lit up in red with lighting equipment above.

Norwich Theatre Royal is a buzzing night out

What better way to end your day than with a show at nearby Norwich Theatre Royal? From breathtaking West End musicals to laugh-out-loud comedy, beautiful ballets and more, you’ll be captivated by each performance. Plus, it’s a (very) short 1-minute roll or stroll from your accommodation along Theatre Street- perfect! (If you’re a loyal theatregoer, check out their Accessibility Scheme!)

When it comes to dinner, book a delicious meal at the theatre’s very own Prelude restaurant. With affordable 2-course (£28) and 3-course options (£33), here, you’ll experience delightful fine-dining flavours, such as lamb barbacoa, prawn saffron risotto, and indulgent chocolate crémeux. Our mouths are watering already!

Our favourite thing about Prelude? The table is yours for the evening. So, at the interval, you can come back and enjoy your dessert and perhaps a pre-ordered glass of bubbly!

The empty interior of Prelude restaurant with bright window on the right and hanging pendant lighting from the white ceiling. Three rows of wooden tables on the wooden floor are surrounded by green velvet chairs and each laid with glasses, cutlery and serviettes.

The table is yours for the night at Prelude

As the lights come down, settle in in Norwich Theatre Royal’s dedicated accessible seating (stalls and circle available). Get lost in the show without worrying about where you’re going to sit and how you’ll get there. There are even special access performances, including BSL, audio-described, captioned and Dementia-friendly, meaning it really does cater for every theatregoer.

And with such a short journey to your bed, you’ll soon be recharged and raring to go for day two!

Day Two
Norwich Cathedral/ Sainsbury Centre

//Visit: Sainsbury Centre; Norwich Cathedral; National Centre for Writing; Sweet Briar Marshes.
//Eat: Beforenoon Tea at the Assembly House

A close up of the top two tiers of Beforenoon Tea in front of a yellow wall background. In the bottom right background is a fresh orange juice and white tea pot. There are two Beforenoon teas- on the top layer is a shot glass with granola, yoghurt and compote as two muffins with icing. On the second levels are croissants filled with salmon and mini toastie.

Beforenoon Tea has so many breakfast treats, you’ll want to taste them all

Morning

There’s only one way to start day two properly- with an amazing breakfast, of course! But as this is The Assembly House, it doesn’t have to be an ordinary breakfast. Although it’s included in your room (and you can even enjoy breakfast delivered to your room (tray charge applies)), a stay here isn’t complete without one of their esteemed afternoon teas, so it would be rude not to upgrade to their Beforenoon Tea (book in advance for an extra £10pp, usually £32.50pp, served daily, 9am – 11am, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives available).

As part of this totally unique experience, you’ll enjoy a smaller version of one of their hot breakfasts, followed by three tiers full of breakfast-themed treats. From a granola shot glass to a cruffin cinnamon roll, finish it off (or take any leftovers home!) with an espresso or Earl Grey chocolate mousse!

An adult and child sitting on the wall under the arches of Norwich cathedral's cloisters, looking out onto the green and stone cloisters opposite.

Norwich Cathedral’s beautiful cloister is a lovely spot all year round

Before you start your journey home, we suggest stopping off at one more of Norwich’s attractions.

If you can’t get enough of our medieval heritage, make sure to explore our 900-year-old Norwich Cathedral (open daily, FREE). It’s a short 7-minute drive from your accommodation and has accessible parking right outside. Here, you can marvel at Romanesque Norman architecture, a magnificent monastic cloister (the largest in the country) and its sky-piercing spire (the second tallest in the UK and home to a resident peregrine falcon family).

When it comes to accessibility, again, history doesn’t get in the way. In fact, you can experience it to the full. The cathedral caters to all with accessible toilets, free wheelchairs to borrow, an induction loop, large print leaflets and even tactile tours if you book in advance.

For the journey ahead, why not treat yourself to a delicious flaky pastry or sausage roll from its Refectory Cafe (accessible via a platform lift)?

A view of the Sainsbury Centre- a futuristic rectangular building set in green surrounds. There is a bright green lawn and in the background there are green trees on the left. In front of the trees is a bright red, spiral-like sculpture. In front of this are three silver dog-like sculptures and in the foreground is a curvaceous Henry Moore sculpture reclining on a large plinth.

The Sainsbury Centre is a must-visit for any art lover in Norwich

Or if art is more your thing, head 3-miles northwest down Earlham Road. As you drive past, admire the impressive Cathedral of St John the Baptist. This is the route to our innovative art museum the Sainsbury Centre (Tuesday – Sunday, pay what you can).

Here, you’ll discover modern and worldwide art spanning 5000 years, dotted with names including Francis Bacon and Picasso. This is a museum where our biggest questions are tackled in forward-thinking exhibitions, like ‘What Is the Meaning of Life?’, and art is alive- ditch the glass and hug a Henry Moore, lounge beneath a Giacometti, step inside a life-size display case or connect to the displays with an audio tour.

The Sainsbury Centre’s inspirational space allows for step-free access, with platforms to lower galleries, and has sensory backpacks to really experience the art. There are accessible toilets, as well as a Changing Places toilet just 5-minutes’ walk away (located in the UEA Science building, it’s accessible with a card borrowed from reception at weekends and open for all during the week). If you plan ahead (which we always recommend), you can book tours if you’re blind or partially sighted, too. Plus, the Sculpture Park offers an accessible tour on select dates, perfect for those who prefer a shorter walk.

Before heading home, enjoy one of the museum’s delicious lunches in the Modern Life Cafe, which has views of the Sculpture Park’s special artworks thanks to fantastic floor-to-ceiling glass windows. (Take a brownie home for later!)

And if you’re returning to Norwich for an accessible city break, we love the National Centre for Writing– housed in Dragon Hall, enjoy free tours with step-free access, large print guides, quiet spaces and hearing loop- and Sweet Briar Marshes– Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s most accessible nature reserve (FREE) with dedicated accessible pathways, lightweight gates and plenty of seating.

An Accessible Itinerary to Norwich