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. 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 Shopping | Accessible Accommodation | Norwich Map
A visit to the castle is sure to be top of your Norwich bucket list!
It’s not a visit to Norwich without visiting Norwich Castle (open daily, adults £8.20, children £6.90)! Chances are you’ve seen our iconic Norman keep keeping watch over the city. (Top tip: one of our favourite views of the castle 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. Enjoy your visit thanks to the Changing Places toilet, lifts, portable hearing loop, large print information, seating and braille labelling.
And it’s also home to a brilliant museum and art gallery- so you’re getting your culture fix and a bit of history at the same time! 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.) Just don’t forget to visit the Castle’s major exhibition space (included in admission), which has showcased the likes of Colin Self, Roger Ackling and JMW Turner!
Head to Castle gardens for step-free access to Norwich Castle
To get here, the best place to park is Castle Quarter– across 2 car parks, there are 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? Then it’s time to sample the multicultural flavours of Norwich’s delectable food and drink scene!
Enjoy tasty Thai dishes at Rosa’s Thai
If you want something lighter, check out our 900-year-old market where you’ll smell aromas from Asia, Africa and back again via Europe and beyond. 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.
At the top of the marketplace is The Forum on Millennium Plain (where there’s a Changing Places toilet). If you’ve the time, make sure to visit- chances are there’ll be a fun event, market or art show here (especially at weekends).
For a larger lunch, we suggest heading southwest from Millennium Plain, across Rampant Horse Street, to Chantry Square. This is where you’ll find Rosa’s Thai. Tuck into authentic and hearty dishes like Pad Thai and gaeng panang curry. The inside is bright and spacious, and if it’s warm you can enjoy your meal outside!
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 independent scene- from vintage fashion and sustainable menswear to quirky lifestyle stores and unique bookshops. Of course, 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 and 50 departments.)
If you’re a lover of high-street heroes and local indies alike, pay a visit to Chantry Place– you’ll already be there, so it would be rude not to! 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 gift brand Lisa Angel, Bakeaholics for an afternoon sweet treat and well-known brands H&M and Flannels.
Chantry Place is also home to Norwich’s Shopmobility service (Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 4pm), where you can hire electric scooters and wheelchairs for free during your time in our city.
In the heart of the city, The Assembly House offers luxury and practicality
Just around the corner on Theatre Street, we suggest staying at The Assembly House (rooms from £170, breakfast included). Not only is this a lovely Grade II-listed Georgian building right in the heart of the city (reducing the need to travel far), 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. There’s step-free access and free Wi-Fi throughout and Room 3 offers a spacious ground-floor room that’s fully accessible. Think large contemporary bathroom (with drench shower and chair), a plump 6ft bed (that can be made into a double or twin) and your own private courtyard!
Norwich Theatre Royal is a buzzing night out
What better way to end your day in the City of Stories 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!
When it comes to dinner, we suggest booking a delicious meal at the theatre’s very own Prelude restaurant. With affordable 2-course (£27) and 3-course options (£32), here, you’ll experience delightful fine-dining flavours, such as salt cod croquettes, Korean-style miso-roasted tofu, and indulgent chocolate marquise. Our mouths are watering already!
The table is yours for the night at Prelude
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!
Norwich Theatre Royal has dedicated accessible seating in both the stalls and the circle, meaning you can 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 and captioned, 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!
The Details
Stay: The Assembly House
Visit: Norwich Theatre Royal; The Forum; Norwich Castle
Shop: Chantry Place; Castle Quarter
Eat: Rosa’s Thai; Norwich Market; Prelude at Norwich Theatre Royal
Beforenoon Tea has so many breakfast treats, you’ll want to taste them all
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 breakfast is included in your room, 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 (upgrade for an extra £10pp, usually £27.95pp, served daily, 9am – 11am).
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, cornflake jam tart and more, finish it off (or take any leftovers home!) with an espresso or Earl Grey chocolate mousse! That’ll have you ready for the day ahead!
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 best attractions.
If you can’t get enough of our medieval heritage, then make sure to explore 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 our Romanesque cathedral (also built by the Normans over 900 years ago), it’s 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.
And 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)? Yum!
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, which towers over the road’s charming Georgian houses and abundance of magnolia trees in spring. 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, from Mesoamerica to 21st century Britian, with names including Francis Bacon and Henry Moore. This is a museum where art is alive and our biggest questions are tackled in forward-thinking exhibitions, whether it’s ‘why do we take drugs?’ or ‘can the seas survive us?’.
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.
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!)
The Details
Visit: The Sainsbury Centre; Norwich Cathedral
Eat: Beforenoon Tea at the Assembly House
