Culture in Norwich: The Cat House

9 January 2026

Culture in Norwich: The Cat House

With a new year, we start focussing on wellness. And whilst you might envision walking, cycling or sauna, have you thought about other ways to support your wellbeing? Like culture. Or cats! 

At The Cat House, indulge in the positive embrace of their feline residents. Cats are known to reduce stress, improve mental health and offer companionship. 

So, whether it’s a calming cuddle or creative workshop, Sarah Price, owner of The Cat House, shows us how cats can support your wellbeing now and all year round.

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The Cat House is known as a calming space to unwind where you can let your creative juices flow. What can we expect from a visit?  

The Cat House is a unique cat-themed Arts Centre & Cat Lounge on Dereham Road in Norwich. Here, we approach things differently. We offer a quiet, welcoming space to all, full of friendly cats and creativity, which is a great option for those seeking something inspiring, positive and mood-boosting. This can be hugely beneficial at any time of the year, but especially in the first few months of the year when it’s cold and the days are shorter. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a pet at home, that’s wonderful, but if not, you can come and connect with our friendly cats at The Cat House and gain from their companionship and total lack of judgement.  

We offer a combination of cats and the arts, giving chances for visitors to play with them and enjoy a rest on a sofa with a purring cat, alongside many cat-themed arts and wellness workshops and events throughout the year – whether it’s painting, board games or crochet.  

For example, our mid-week interactive Cat Yoga classes are a wonderful opportunity to set aside some peaceful, feline-filled time for yourself, with the added pleasure of a complimentary drink from our café afterwards and 45 minutes to chat to other attendees whilst playing with the cats. 

We also offer quiet hours and SEND sessions for those who prefer a quieter environment and feel regular sessions may be too overwhelming. 

Wellness is something you’re passionate about at The Cat House. It’s important at all times of year, especially in January. How do we incorporate wellness into our everyday lives?  

Entering a new year can be exhausting! Too often we approach it with a list of resolutions we feel we must keep. And whilst these are all well intentioned, it’s a good idea to remember that there are other, more gentle ways to help your wellbeing! 

Health and wellness start with your internal state and how you are feeling emotionally, physically and mentally and your application of self-care practices. And no, these don’t have to be in the form of gong baths, meditation classes or drinking chamomile tea – although these are all wonderful (like cat yoga)! They can simply be taking time out from your regular routine to slow down, regroup and notice the beauty in life that we so often take for granted. 

At The Cat House, we call it the power of the purr!

Cats are known to help reduce stress. How is interaction between cats and your visitors beneficial for our wellbeing?  

The Cat House is home to 20 resident cats. Cats support wellbeing by increasing oxytocin and strengthening calm emotional bonds; releasing endorphins, improving mood and reducing pain; lowering stress hormones; regulating the nervous system and enhancing emotional stability and resilience.  

The cat–human relationship is subtle but powerful. It’s a low-intensity, high-impact form of companionship that supports both mental and physical health. Cats encourage consensual interaction – we must read subtle cues and respond gently. This can deepen oxytocin release because the interaction feels earned rather than automatic and so is highly valued and deeply felt.

Why is it important for you to hold creative workshops at The Cat House? What sessions can we get involved with?  

Both creativity and animals can form huge parts of your self-care practice. Anyone can get creative – there really is nothing stopping you picking up a pencil and having a go! Just the fun of doing the activity can quieten the mind, allowing for your subconscious to settle and calm those thoughts that continually chatter all day long.  

Whether it’s painting, drawing, writing, or doodling, creativity does wonders for mental health. It boosts feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins, helping us feel happier and more motivated, whilst lowering stress hormones like cortisol.  

Art also lets us express emotions safely, giving our minds a chance to process feelings and build resilience. Plus, it can put us in a calm, focused state that slows our breathing and settles the nervous system. In short, art is like a workout for your brain and mood, helping you feel balanced and grounded. 

So, combining cats and creativity is ideal for your health and wellbeing! At The Cat House, you can have a go at cat life drawing, clay cat workshops, cat linocut, needlefelt and more.

Tell us about the community at The Cat House. 

When you visit The Cat House, you get the opportunity to meet and connect with like-minded people who also adore cats. We witness many wonderful interactions and conversations between visitors every day- visiting our cat café is an experience like no other!

The Cat House is open Wednesday – Sunday from 9am – 9pm (and private hire on Monday & Tuesday). You can book sessions, workshops and events via their website!