A Weekend Getaway in Norwich

6 February 2026

A Weekend Getaway in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

It’s the season of new beginnings- the perfect excuse to discover somewhere new after winter hibernation.

And 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 to our peaceful riverside walk, escape from everyday life and uncover your next destination with a spring break 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 sunlit architecture, not to mention luscious green spaces bountiful with budding blooms.

So, most of the mild weather and immerse yourselves in a thousand years of history. Relax. Here’s our 3-day weekend getaway in the City of Stories! 

For city centre accommodation and more, check out our Stay page!

Itinerary Inspiration
Short but Sweet: Norwich: Old City, New Attitude | Take Your Time: A Slow City Break | Feeling Hungry?: A Foodie’s Weekend

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Day One
Jarrolds/ Royal Arcade/ Norwich Playhouse

//Eat: Yalm, Tuesday – Sunday; The Wine Bars at Jarrolds, Monday – Sunday; Playhouse Bar, Monday – Sunday.
//Shop: Jarrolds, Monday – Sunday; The Royal Arcade, Monday – Sunday.
//Do: Norwich Theatre Playhouse, Monday – Saturday.

Arrive in Norwich in the afternoon, drop your bags off and settle in.  

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

Let your eyes wander Norwich Market’s colourful stalls- where stacks of sweet treats are surrounded by piles of fresh fruit and moreish street food. Pick up a coffee from Little Red Roaster and a flaky Bread Source pastry whilst you browse. Or head to the back of the market and sip on your coffee in the sun like a local.

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 framed by blossoming trees.. Norwich’s history is everywhere you look and ready to charm you. 

Make your way to Jarrolds, our flagship independent department store. Each floor is home to a wonderful selection of well-known names in fashion, lifestyle and more. On the ground floor, discover Store Folk- a showcase of local artisans and small businesses, then head downstairs to Jarrolds’ food hall where a wealth of local delights awaits you. Don’t go home without treating yourself to Norfolk-made chocolate or spirits (we love The English Whisky’s Norfolk Nog)- it’s also a lovely spot to treat yourself to a sharing platter and glass of local wine!

From here, head along Gentleman’s Walk to our Art Nouveau Royal Arcade designed by local architect George Skipper. Its beautiful tiles lead you past eye-catching windows to Yalm, a buzzing food hall and popular foodie destination- and a spot to bookmark for dinner. When it’s warmer, look out for their zesty orange tables where you can sit alfresco and bask in the last rays of the setting sun.

Inside, an array of global kitchens serves mouthwatering dishes for you to choose from. Long tables hum with anticipation. All you have to do is order through the QR code! We suggest a selection of zingy tacos, followed by a creamy vanilla crepe cheesecake and topped with a tart homemade berry compote– yum!

Evening

End your first evening with an hour or two of entertainment at Norwich Playhouse. It’s just a 7-minute stroll in the balmy evening air along characterful cobbles to our thriving Creative Quarter. As you cross St Georges Bridge, take a moment to look out across the Wensum’s rippling reflections and watch the reeds slowly waving in the current. Once inside the theatre, chances are you’ll stumble upon a hilarious night of comedy or entrancing up-and-coming performer- it’s one of the best fringe venues in the country. Shows regularly sell out, so we recommend booking in advance!

And beforehand, you can sip on a drink in the Playhouse Bar. Its speak easy-style interior is cosy and quirky, while the leafy terrace is always humming with locals, illuminated in the fading light by twinkling fairy lights and the glow of heaters.

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Day Two
Paul Dickson Tour/ Norwich Cathedral/ WinePress

//Eat: Saporita, Tuesday – Saturday; WinePress, Monday – Sunday.
//Shop: The Bear Shop, Monday – Saturday.
//Visit: Norwich Cathedral, Monday – Sunday; Elm Hill; Norwich Castle, Monday – Sunday.
//Do: Paul Dickson Tours; Norwich Story Walks; Cheryl Cade’s Naughty Norwich and Sausage Roll tours.

On your second day, it’s time to get to know Norwich. Step outside into the fresh air with a spring in your step- you’re ready to explore. And there’s no-one better to show you the city than Paul Dickson.  

With such a vast choice of walking tours, one of the best ways to discover our rich history is with ‘Norwich, An Introduction’. Or how about ‘Boardman and Skipper‘ (architecture), ‘The Great Market’, or ‘Norwich on the Dark Side’ (crime and punishment)? Under our wide-open skies, absorb timeless tales and discover secret details you might otherwise have missed. Paul has 18 tours in Norwich alone- so you’ll be spoilt for choice (from £9pp)!

After all that walking, you’ll need some food! On St Andrews Hill, you’ll find Saporita. This family-run Italian is a go-to for authentic street food. As soon as you step foot in Saporita, you’re greeted with a smile. It’s always bustling, with moreish flavours sizzling from the kitchen and ening you to a table. Tuck into pizza, paninis, panzerotti and focaccia filled with fresh combinations of aubergine, tomatoes, mozzarella and more! And for a sweet something, treat yourself to a slice of salame al cioccolato (that’s chocolate salami)- you won’t regret it!  

From here, head into our charming Cathedral Quarter via Elm Hill. It’s the most complete medieval street in Norwich and one of the most picturesque thanks to its cobbles and traditional buildings! Come spring, the warm sunlight amplifies the pretty pastel buildings, with characterful beams and one of Norwich’s only thatched rooves adding to its timeless attraction. It’s also home to inviting independents like Elm Hill Craft Shop, The Jade Tree and The Bear Shop– any teddy-lover’s dream.  

Amble towards Norwich Cathedral (free). You can take the scenic route along the rippling River Wensum, past landmarks like ivy-covered St James Mill and through the quaint cottages of Cathedral Close, where stunning magnolia and sweet-scented roses guide the way. Or make your way via historic Tombland and through Erpingham Gate, a grand flint landmark flanked by white blossom trees that frames our Romanesque cathedral’s beautiful nave.

Norwich Cathedral is a staple in the city’s skyline. Not only does it boast the second tallest spire in the country (whose resident peregrine falcon family soars overhead against a sheet of bright blue sky), it also has the largest monastic cloister, too. Wander beneath these enchanting Harry Potter-esque arches,  see if you can find your way to the centre of the labyrinth, and pay a visit to the fragrant Herb Garden. If you’ve time, we recommend a free 1-hour tour to discover this ancient building’s best kept secrets!

Finish your day in the City of Stories with a mouthwatering meal at WinePress. At the heart of the Maids Head Hotel– the oldest site of hospitality in the country- this stylish 2AA Rosette restaurant offers modern fine dining alongside delicious classics. With a focus on local and seasonal produce, you can enjoy dishes like slow-roasted pork belly or satay cauliflower, followed by banoffee tart and perfectly paired with a crisp Norfolk wine!

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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.
//Shop: Country and Eastern at The South Asia Collection, Monday – Saturday.

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, £10). 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.

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.