by Katie Thompson
When you’re visiting a new destination or even being a tourist in your own city, sometimes you don’t want to walk too far. Whether you’re visiting with little ones, a heatwave is on the way, or accessibility is an important factor (check out our accessibility guide for the best parking, seating and route options).
But that doesn’t need to stop you! Our city is compact and suited to rolling and strolling. We’ve put together 4 mini-itineraries that will ensure you see Norwich’s best bits with little walking. Check them out below!
There’s always something going on at The Forum!
Norwich’s city centre is always buzzing- with our shopping streets, marketplace and venues appealing to both locals and visitors.
Start your day at one of The Forum’s many events- be it a makers’ market, record fair or exhibition. This is a great spot to discover local creatives and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir, as well as admire the architecture of one of the Norwich 12- our city’s most iconic heritage buildings.
And opposite, you’ll see St Peter Mancroft– you’ll want to make some time to step inside! As one of Norwich’s many beautiful churches, St Peter Mancroft boasts a mighty tower with 14 bells, an amazing stained-glass window and an exquisite tapestry woven in 1573 by refugee Flemish weavers (our city’s Strangers).
Feeling peckish? Head to Chantry Place for familiar brands like Rosa’s Thai (just a short 5-minute walk south). This shopping centre is brilliant for browsing both Norwich names and high street heroes, where favourites like Lisa Angel rub shoulders with Frasers and Urban Outfitters. (And if you’re here with family during the school holidays– keep an eye out for the centre’s free trails!).
In the opposite direction, embrace everything Norwich has to offer with a special lunch from our 900-year-old market! (It’s quite literally a few steps away!) With enticing aromas from worldwide flavours, here you can munch on Chilean empanadas, New York-style sandwiches, slow-cooked chillies and more. And if you’re not driving, we recommend a visit to Sir Toby’s Beers.
Enjoy cream tea alfresco at The Assembly House
End your afternoon with a delicious warm scone and a cup of at The Assembly House (a 3-minute walk away). In the warmer months, their manicured lawn is the perfect suntrap for a sweet treat and refreshing drink. Make note of their amazing, themed afternoon teas for your next trip!
To truly make a day of it, we suggest a matinee or evening performance at Norwich Theatre Royal– just a 2-minute walk from The Assembly House. From West End musicals to award-winning plays, ballets, comedy and more, Norwich Theatre is one of the city’s best stages for captivating performance.
The Details
Visit: The Forum; Norwich Theatre Royal
Eat: Norwich Market; Rosa’s Thai; Sir Toby’s Beers; The Assembly House
Shop: Chantry Place
Parking: The Forum (5 hours: £11.60); Chantry Place (4 – 6 hours: £10.50)
Public Transport: Norwich Bus Station is just an 8-minute walk from The Forum.
Norwich Castle is a great destination for visitors of all ages
What’s a visit to Norwich without exploring our iconic castle? With over 900 years of stories to tell, it’s one of Europe’s most important. Norwich Castle is also home to a fascinating museum and gallery, where you can learn about Iceni warrior queen Boudicca, discover well-preserved Anglo-Saxon artefacts and get lost in the paintings of Norwich School artists (adults £8.20, children £6.90).
Taking in so much history is bound to make you hungry! Head through Castle Gardens and down Arcade Hill to our beautiful architectural gem: the Royal Arcade. It’s just a 2-minute walk. Here you’ll find Yalm Foodhall. With 5 kitchens to choose from, this is the ideal spot for groups with different tastes or when you’re not sure what you fancy.
With a number of different kitchens, Yalm suits lots of tastes
While you’re here, don’t forget to explore the Royal Arcade’s independent stores and its surrounding streets. From vintage-inspired fashion at Lady B Loves, quirky homeware from Lazy Lobster and handcrafted shoes at Loake, it’ll be hard not to treat yourself!
And if you’re craving something sweet, Cafe Gelato’s velvety ice cream is just a 3-minute walk via London Street. (The dark chocolate sorbet is well-worth a few more steps!)
Make the most of your afternoon at Castle Quarter. As well as being home to shops like TK Maxx, Tiger and more, it’s a great entertainment destination to enjoy activities like bowling and crazy golf. You can even try something different- electro darts anyone?
The Details
Visit: Norwich Castle; Castle Quarter
Eat: Yalm; Cafe Gelato
Shop: Royal Arcade; Loake
Parking: Castle Quarter (4 – 6 hours: £10.50)
Public Transport: Norwich Bus Station is just an 8-minute walk from Norwich Castle, with many buses stopping outside on Castle Meadow.
Amble along the pathways through Plantation Garden
As well as a buzzing community, Norwich is home to tranquil pockets of green space. A VisitNorwich favourite has to be Plantation Garden (£2 donation). Tucked off Earlham Road, this former quarry has been transformed into a beautiful sunken garden, where colourful blooms border green lawns and you can amble past a Gothic Victorian fountain, up an Italianate terrace and along woodland walks.
And next door is another peaceful spot: The Cathedral of St John the Baptist (free entry). This magnificent building has some of the finest Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, not to mention intricate stained-glass windows and fossilised Frosterley Marble. Plus, the Narthex’s Garden Cafe is a lovely spot for elevenses, especially if you sit outside in the sun kissed garden.
The Lanes is a warren of indies fit for shoppers, foodies and history buffs
Crossing the footbridge over Grapes Hill (opposite the cathedral’s north entrance), you’ll enter the Norwich Lanes– a warren of streets that’s home to some of the city’s best indies. From fashion and lifestyle to bars and restaurants, if you’ve the time, we always recommend exploring.
Head along Upper St Giles to St Giles Street for a quarter of a mile. (During springtime, breathe in the sweet scent of wisteria as you pass by St Giles church.) You’ll find yourself at The Waffle House where, you guessed it, waffles are their speciality. From classics like Bolognese, to savoury specials of bang bang chicken and delightful desserts like lemon meringue made from fresh and local produce, you’ll leave feeling satisfied.
The Details
Visit: Plantation Garden; The Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Eat: The Waffle House
Shop: Norwich Lanes
Parking: St Giles Car Park (up to 5 hours: £10.80)
Public Transport: Norwich Bus Station is just a 15-minute walk from Plantation Garden. You can catch the 26 bus from the city centre to outside Plantation Garden (a 7-minute journey).
Elm Hill is such a charming, picturesque part of Norwich
One of the best areas to immerse yourself in Norwich’s rich medieval history is our Cathedral Quarter. Where to start? Why, Norwich’s most complete medieval street, Elm Hill!
Elm Hill is a charming, cobbled street full of character and beauty. Think wooden beams and pastel-coloured buildings. It really is picture perfect. In fact, you might have seen it in a film or two! Wandering down Elm Hill (a 2-minute walk from one end to the other), pop into craft shops, independent galleries and coffee houses.
From here, walk along Wensum Street to the centre of Tombland- so called as the site of Anglo-Saxon Norwich’s marketplace. Opposite Erpingham Gate is Tombland Alley- home to Agustine Steward’s house, 3-time mayor of the city and a key figure against Kett’s Rebellion in 1549. When you’re looking for something to eat, there’s an array of delicious cuisines here, including Vietnamese at Pho and Thai at Giggling Squid.
Discover Tombland Alley and Augustine Steward’s house
At the northern end of Tombland is the historic Maids Head Hotel. Said to be the oldest hotel in the country, it’s a great place to treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea (£30pp). While away your afternoon with three tiers of tasty food- including prawn vol-au-vent, banoffee choux bun and mini trifle. Yum! In winter, you can enjoy it by the cosy fire, while in summer, we’d opt for afternoon tea alfresco in their sheltered courtyard.
And before you leave, make sure to see Norwich Cathedral. This breathtaking Romanesque building has the second tallest spire in the UK, the largest monastic cloister, a lovely herb garden and, of course, Paddington!
The Details
Visit: Elm Hill; Tombland; Norwich Cathedral; Paddington
Eat: Maids Head Hotel; Giggling Squid; Pho
Parking: St Andrews Car Park (up to 5 hours: £9.90)
Public Transport: Norwich Train Station is just a 15-minute walk from Elm Hill and many buses stop at Tombland.
