by Katie Thompson
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 here in 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!
Paul Dickson’s Tours are a fantastic way to get acquainted with the city across his variety of tours!
You’re in safe hands with Paul Dickson– few people know more about the City of Stories! 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 Norwich first timers, you can see the major sights and find out everything you need to know across 1000 years of history with Norwich, an Introduction. You’ll explore our ancient Cathedral Quarter, learn about the city’s historic woollen cloth and shoe-making industries, hear stories of Norwich Castle, waltz through our Art Nouveau Royal Arcade, and more. It’s a truly wonderful way to dive into our fine city. And it’s just £9pp for 1hour and 45 minutes!
Paul’s other tours include: Norwich, the City of Stories, where you’ll find out more about our literary heritage, and Norwich on the Dark Side, looking at crime, punishment, filth, and misery in the city’s darker and lesser-known history. Whichever tour you choose, you can’t go wrong. Find out more and book your tour on Paul Dickon’s website here.
If you want to see the city in a different light, look no further than Norwich Story Walks.
If you want to see a different side of the City of Stories, Norwich Story Walks is ‘where history meets eccentricity in a whirlwind of storytelling adventure’. It’s great fun and a brilliant way to see the city from an alternative perspective.
Uncover Norwich’s more unusual tales with the Weird & Wonderful Story Walk. We recommend you join it for an evening full of laughs and mystery, light-hearted stories and darker secrets, and a blend of fact and fiction from Norwich’s many legends. See sights like 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 with other tours like Her Story Walk and Norwich Spooky Story Walk (October and November only), you’ll discover even more stories about the brilliant women and eerie events that have left their mark on Norwich. Time to book your ticket!
The Shoebox Experiences Hidden Street Tour is perfect for seeing more of what many didn’t know existed!
The Shoebox Experiences offering is full of must-dos for everyone – visitor and local alike! Whether it’s one of Norwich’s best-kept secrets or a twist on the typical tour.
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 £16.50 per adult and £8.50 per child.
The Shoebox Experiences’ other tours include the Tavern Trail Tour, where you will visit pubs across the city- enjoying a half-pint of local ale or cider in the final pub (the Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour is also available, meaning more pubs and more drinks!), the Magnificent Marble Hall Tour, the Matriarchs, Mayors and Merchants Tour and more. Find the full range and book your spot on The Shoebox Experiences website!
Eating good food, sipping on something delicious, and learning more about the city is on the menu on a Cheryl Cade tour.
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-one better 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 has got to be the Beer & Cheese Tour, where you’ll visit 5 different venues across 4 hours to sip on a local beer (or non-alcoholic alternative) and tuck into a specially selected local cheese alongside it – perfectly paired by Cheryl, of course. On top of that, Cheryl has the answer to all your questions, will 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 £48 per person. Have we tempted your tastebuds?
And if you’re looking for a shorter tour but still want to enjoy some of the City of Stories’ delights, then check out the Cathedral to Cathedral tour, Gin Tour, Cheese Tour, and her brand-new Sausage Roll Tour. Ranging from 2 to 3.5 hours, these tours are absolutely great fun and a wonderful way to experience a totally unique side of Norwich. Find out more on Cheryl’s website!
For spooky secrets, choose a Norwich Ghost Walk if you’re brave enough!
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 throughout 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!
Norwich Pub Tours offers fascinating tales and the chance to visit the city’s best pubs!
For another flavour of Norwich’s history, take a tour with Norwich Pub Tours. As a city known for its abundance of pubs, you can only imagine the number of fascinating stories that go with them!
Drink in every detail as you stop in up to 4 of Norwich’s most historic and character-filled public houses (such as the city’s oldest, Adam and Eve)- where you can grab a drink and hear some of Norwich’s most unforgettable stories. From rebellions to murders, plague to witch trials, with that all-important sense of humour – this is a 4-hour tour packed with surprises and interesting tales you might not have heard before! (You could even say it’ll be a barrel of laughs- sorry!) One thing’s for certain; you’ll have a fun time along the way!
Norwich Pub Tours are a brilliant way to spend a few hours with friends. They’re suitable for all ages too- so families can be regaled with some slightly less gruesome stories. And you can sip on a soft drink if you’re looking for something with less alcohol. Tickets are £20pp- book via their website!
Discover what goes on behind the scenes at the Maddermarket theatre
And for those of us who have ticked off all the tours above- or are looking for one that’s guaranteed to keep you dry on a rainy day- check out the Maddermarket Theatre.
As Norwich’s community theatre- and home to the Norwich Players since 1921- this is a building with stories to tell. Originally a Roman Catholic chapel, its vaulted ceiling makes for excellent acoustics, while its Elizabethan-style exterior houses an intimate auditorium.
And you can discover the secrets of this stage for yourself! For just £5pp, an hour-long tour will take you behind the scenes of this working theatre, where you can find out more about all the work that goes into a production and the parts the public doesn’t usually get to see! Contact the Maddermarket box office to book your place.
