A Short Break in Norwich

A Short Break in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

Norwich is a city made for when you need to get away from it all. One you don’t pass by. From our bustling marketplace to our independent sprit, escape from everyday life and uncover your next destination with a getaway in our fine city.

If you’re a first timer in Norwich, this itinerary has a little bit of everything. Indulge in good food and authentic flavours, contemporary culture and striking architecture, not to mention luscious green spaces bountiful with budding blooms. 

Relax. Here’s our itinerary for a 3-day short break in the City of Stories! 

And if you want a trip away with friends or fellow couples, we’ve got you covered for your next celebration- or maybe just an excuse to meet up!

Image: VisitNorwich

Itinerary Inspiration
For Explorers: Old City, New Attitude | For Friends: 72 Hours in Norwich | For Families: A Family Break

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Did you know Norwich is an ideal break from Cambridge and London? If you’re driving, it’s just 1hr 30m from Cambridge and 2hrs from London via the A11. And for those taking the train, it’s only 1hr 45m from London Liverpool Street and 1hr 15m from Cambridge, both with Greater Anglia. So, there’s really no better time for a seasonal stay in the City of Stories!

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Day One
Norwich Cathedral/ Jarrolds/ Norwich Market

//See & Do: Norwich Cathedral; Monday – Sunday; Elm Hill.
//Eat: The Wine Bars at Jarrolds, Monday – Sunday; Norwich Market, days and times vary for individual stalls, Monday – Sunday.
//Shop: Jarrolds, Monday – Sunday. 
//Stay: Maids Head Hotel, from £181 per night for 2 adults, including breakfast. 

Morning 

Arrive in Norwich before lunch, drop your bags off and settle in. The city’s medieval street pattern means nothing is too far away and cobbles lead you around every corner.  

Check into your accommodation at the Maids Head Hotel. As the oldest site of hospitality in the country, this is one of Norwich’s most characterful stays. Think quirky rooms with dark beams and views across our beautiful Cathedral Close. Pair that with luxurious soft furnishings, living areas and bathrooms boasting walk-in showers, sleek designs and, in some cases, free-standing baths, here you get the best of both worlds. 

Stroll along to our picturesque Cathedral Quarter. (Hint: if you see Norwich Cathedral’s (FREE) towering spire, you’re headed in the right direction!) This is your destination. 

Hear your footsteps echo in the largest monastic cloisters in the country, each archway framing the building’s beautiful Romanesque features. When the sun’s golden rays shine through, the 900-year-old white Caen stone is illuminated, adding a hint of magic.  

Inside this Norman marvel (2027 is the Year of the Normans, by the way), look out for two of the cathedral’s treasures. First, the Despenser Reredos (or Retable). This incredibly striking and detailed religious imagery dates back to the late 1300s and is the only surviving medieval English altarpiece with scenes from Christ’s Passion. It survived the Reformation unscathed hidden as the underside of a table until 1840!  

Second is the font. ‘What’s so special about a font?’, we hear you ask. Well, this is no ordinary font. Norwich likes to be a little different, after all and this font led a former life as two copper bowls, ideal for toffee-making in Rowntree Mackintosh’s chocolate factory! Admire the nave’s reflection in its pristine surface.  

While you’re here, make sure to visit nearby Elm Hill. This street is possibly the city’s most picturesque- not least because it’s Norwich most complete medieval street. Lined with Tudor beams and old merchants’ houses, its ancient cobbles are full of charm and old-world magic, while its tall plane tree dapples the indies with soft light and ethereal beauty. You’ll find it hard to leave without taking at least a few photos! 

Afternoon 

Make your way to our flagship independent department store, Jarrolds. Enter through the elegant London Street entrance designed by Norwich’s own Gaudi, George Skipper. Each floor is home to a wonderful selection of well-known names in fashion, lifestyle and more.  

Heading downstairs to Jarrolds’ food hall is a must. A wealth of local (and, importantly, edible) delights awaits you. This is a lovely spot to treat yourself to a sharing platter and glass of local wine (or a coffee, depending on the time)! Give your feet a rest and take a seat at The Wine Bars’ counters. Graze boards piled high with delectable cheeses (from creamy to crumbly), artisan charcuterie and fresh antipasti, quiches accompanied by local chutneys and fresh garnishes, Richard Bainbridge’s tomato tart or even a macaron from Norwich’s-own Tim Kinnaird, founder of Macarons and More in the Royal Arcade. 

While you’re here, don’t go home without a souvenir- namely Norfolk-made chocolate or spirits (we love The English Distillery’s Norfolk Nog)! 

Jarrolds is also champion of Norfolk’s own names, one of them being Nor-Folk, a minimalist lifestyle brand inspired the county’s people. On the ground floor, discover Store Folk- a showcase of local artisans, selling products like handcrafted candles, funky prints and statement jewellery, and in the fragrant beauty hall, you’ll find (and smell) Jarrolds newest Signature beauty collection. Rooted in Norfolk and the store’s 200-year-old heritage, expect earthy-scented body care, like their Bergamot and Norfolk Thyme Hand Wash. And when it comes to fashion and accessories, browse supple leather pieces by Fairfax & Favor (opening 25 September) and stylish athleisure from Blakely.  

Evening 

Spend early evening at Norwich Market, before getting a good night’s rest to wake up raring to go tomorrow! Let your eyes wander its colourful stalls- here, stacks of sweet treats are surrounded by pyramids of fresh fruit and moreish street food. Pick up a flaky Bread Source pastry or a melt-in-your-mouth cookie pie from The Chocolate Bar Baker to take home for later! We also love Hugo & Daughters Spanish Deli for spicy, salty and smoky flavours that transport you to the Mediterranean. 

Envelop yourself in the hum that accompanies a late afternoon on Norwich Market and treat yourself to a pint of cherry beer from Sir Toby’s Beers. Possibly the smallest bar in the city, this is a local go-to come rain or shine, bringing a sense of European cosmopolitanism to our medieval streets. (And you can tuck into tasty street food while you’re here- a delicious way to end the day!)

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Day Two
Norwich Lanes/ Afternoon Tea at The Assembly House / Norwich Theatre Royal 

//See & Do: The South Asia Collection, Monday – Saturday; Norwich Theatre Royal, days and times vary for individual shows, Monday – Saturday.
//Eat: Afternoon tea at The Assembly House, Monday – Sunday; Prelude at Norwich Theatre Royal, open 2hrs 30m prior to each show; Brix & Bones, Wednesday – Saturday. 

Morning 

Indulge in a long leisurely morning at your own pace. As you stroll our city streets, admire the abundance of architecture. From our glass-fronted Forum, which reflects the impressive facade of St Peter Mancroft in golden sunlight, and Art Deco City Hall to grand medieval churches, a flint-knapped guildhall and elegant Georgian gems. Norwich’s history is everywhere you look and ready to charm you. 

Amble through the Norwich Lanes, perusing eye-catching shop windows and popping in and out of thriving independents. Each one is sprinkled with unique treasures you won’t want to leave behind. 

We recommend a stop at The South Asia Collection (FREE). Tucked away on Bethel Street, you’d easily pass it by, but, trust us, it’s well worth a visit. 

Housed in a former roller-skating rink, this stunning museum boasts a beautifully designed wooden ceiling, skylights illuminating collections of crafts and cultures from across South Asia. Wander past intricate carvings, elaborate ironwork and religious imagery from countries like Pakistan, Thailand and Afghanistan. Rotating exhibitions capture and preserve meaningful traditions and stories, such as the lost art of wax casting and the power of Indian cotton label advertising.  

Upstairs, you can peruse the attractive array of products from museum shop Country and Eastern. Our picks include block-print textiles and elegant jewellery. 

Afternoon 

Then it’s time for the main event. Less than a five-minute walk away is The Assembly House, home to one of Norwich’s most revered afternoon teas. Beneath glittering chandeliers, in characterful Georgian surrounds, you’ll be greeted by three towering tiers of tempting treats (and this doesn’t even include the scones!).  

Work your way from the bottom up- starting with fluffy finger sandwiches (refillable, might we add) and mouthwatering savouries (The Assembly House sausage roll is a longstanding favourite). Then, there are fruit and cheese scones (with Colman’s Mustard, of course). Finally, expect an expertly handcrafted selection of sweets, from layered gateau opera cake to zingy lemon shortbread to indulgent shot glass desserts. If you manage to finish it all, we’ll be impressed! And if not, fret not, you can take the rest away for later! 

Evening 

Finish your day in the City of Stories with a mouthwatering meal at Norwich Theatre’s Prelude restaurant, followed by an evening performance of a captivating show. Whether it’s laugh-out-loud comedy, mesmerising ballet, a classic play or musical, they’re often a sell-out (and cheaper than the West End), so we recommend booking in advance! 

You don’t have to be seeing a show to eat here and if you are, the table is yours for the evening! So, whether you’re tempted by one, two or even three courses, you can truly savour every bite and flavour (why not preorder your pudding for the interval?).  

In this Art Deco-inspired restaurant, enjoy modern dining as the sun sets. Prelude’s menu is both delicious and amazing value, with two courses £28 and three £33. And it changes every few months to reflect what’s in season (and occasionally the next highly anticipated touring production), with vegetarian, vegan, gluten- and dairy-free all considered. We love starting with the light-as-air focaccia and olive oil, followed by dishes like tuna fritters, lamb koftas and dark chocolate and coconut torte! 

And for those of us who aren’t seeing a show, but still want that special fine dining experience, we suggest Brix & Bones. Open-fire cooking is their speciality: head chef George Wood takes organic, seasonal and sustainable Norfolk produce and infuses it with cool smokiness. Each dish is elevated to something unforgettable. Think indulgent bone marrow fudge doughnuts and smoked banoffee drizzled with dulce de leche. Not to mention paired with an evolving wine menu that feels accessible to every level of connoisseur, expertly chosen by sommelier Brian Sullivan. If you see him, make sure to say hello!

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Day Three
Plantation Garden/ The Cathedral of St John the Baptist

//Eat: Garden Cafe, Monday – Saturday.
//Visit: Plantation Garden, Monday – Sunday; The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Monday – Sunday.

End your time in Norwich in the tranquil surrounds of Plantation Garden (£2). Tucked away at the top of Earlham Road, this city-centre oasis is easily accessible via the Lanes and across the footbridge over Grapes Hill.  

Take a moment in this secluded haven on a sun-drenched bench looking out across its vivid green lawn before strolling through the 3-acre Grade II listed garden, along woodland walkways and past blooming borders. How many tadpoles can you spot in the Victorian Gothic fountain? Top tip: for wonderful views, head to the top of the Italianate terrace and look out across the treetops. Then wander the pathway to a 10-metre Victorian-style greenhouse. Towering above, you get a unique view of the western end of The Cathedral of St John the Baptist (FREE). That’s our next stop! 

Just next door, this impressive Victorian Gothic Revival cathedral stands tall. Its interior is architecturally breathtaking. Think grand arches, colourful stained-glass windows with hidden details and decorative Frosterley Marble. Fun fact: this speckled appearance is actually hundreds of small fossils! 

If you time it right, take advantage of the cathedral’s fascinating tower tours (spring and summer, adults £12.50). Your reward for reaching the top is a 360-degree view of the city beyond. In all directions, Norwich is rich with greenery, reaching across the horizon to verdant fields and the lush fringes of the Broads National Park. (On a really clear day, you can see all the way to Happisburgh lighthouse!)

Before heading home, treat yourself to lunch (and a slice of freshly made cake!) in the cathedral’s Garden Cafe. With views of flower-filled lawns, you can enjoy a tasty selection of light meals in their bright and airy Narthex or under the welcome shade of parasols on the patio.