72 Hours in Norwich

72 Hours in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

Norwich is a city that welcomes you with open arms as wide as the blue skies above. It’s the ideal destination for a celebration of friends- or just the excuse you’ve been needing to finally meet up! 

When you’ve got 2 nights and 3 days to spend in the City of Stories, where do you start? From acquainting yourself with our medieval streets to encountering fascinating attractions, undeniably tasty local food and our best independent shops, there’s something for you. 

So, welcome the anticipation of visiting somewhere new and let the promise of exploration and great company invigorate your passion for getting out in our wonderful city. 

Here’s your hand-picked guide to 72 hours in Norwich! 

And if you want to explore Norwich just the two of you, make sure to check out our Short Break in Norwich. Why not mix and match to create your own itinerary? 

Itinerary Inspiration 
For Couples: A Short Break | For Explorers: Old City, New Attitude | For Families: A Family Break

Image: VisitNorwich

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Where to Stay

//Stay: The Assembly House, 2 adults from £170 per night including breakfast. Car park £2.50 per hour.

The Assembly House combines Georgian elegance with modern comforts. Think grand four-poster beds and roll-top baths, an abundance of colourful soft furnishings and sleek walk-in showers. All right in the heart of Norwich.  

And with this luxury B&B comes an even more luxurious wake up call. Included in your stay is a freshly cooked breakfast, including classics like eggs benedict and a full English heaving with local produce, alongside a continental spread of seasonal fruit and pastries.

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Day One
Norwich Lanes/ Norwich Castle/ Yalm

//See & Do: Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Monday – Sunday; Norwich Theatre, days and times vary for individual shows, Monday – Saturday.
//Eat & Drink: Logans, Monday – Saturday; Yalm, Tuesday – Sunday; Sir Toby’s Beers, Monday – Sunday.
//Shop: Atwin, Monday – Sunday; Bowhill & Elliott, Monday – Saturday; Jarrolds, Monday – Sunday. 

Morning

Once you’ve dropped your bags off, wander the heart of Norwich’s independent scene, the Norwich Lanes. You simply have to explore everything on offer! Each store is a treasure trove of curated vintage, fashion, gifts, books and more. Our top picks include Atwin, a sustainably led lifestyle store that celebrates local creatives and handcrafted fashion, beauty and homeware, and Bowhill & Elliott, the only shoemakers in the UK to still ‘make out the back and sell out front’. Their chic velvet and monogrammed slippers with leather soles are truly unique and browsing this store is both luxurious and completely welcoming (they make the BEST gift for that very special person in your life, or a real treat for yourself).  

And you can’t forget Jarrolds. Our independent department store houses five floors of fashion, food, homeware and more! Browse at your leisure and be sure to head downstairs to their food hall- each shelf brims with local produce. Think Norfolk spirits, wine and beer, confectionary, preserves, coffee and savoury treats! (It’s the perfect excuse for a souvenir!)

Feeling peckish? Enjoy a lingering glass of wine and a sharing board in Jarrolds‘ deli or if you want just a quick one, we suggest lunch at Logans. Tucked away on Swan Lane, it’s one of the oldest sandwich shops in the city- and for good reason. With an array of tempting choices, that includes everything from BBQ chicken to their mushroom club, all tastes are catered for.

Afternoon

Refuelled, head straight to Norwich Castle (5 minutes’ walk). This iconic Norman attraction is the UK’s most accessible castle and a must-visit following a £27.5m redevelopment– 2027, is the Year of the Normans, so get ahead of the game (adults from £15.30, children from £13.05, pre-book online for the best prices).

From the light-filled atrium, head up the grand staircase into the Keep. Discover reinstated rooms and immerse yourself into life in a medieval royal palace. If you time it right, you’ll be treated to an incredible projection of the castle’s origins after the Norman Conquest, depicting its role in rebellion, siege and the celebrated arrival of Henry I. This tale is also woven into a ‘sequel’ to the Bayeux Tapestry- follow 16-year-old Emma de Guader’s feat, created using the original Bayeux stitch. 

Elsewhere, the battlements will greet you with 360-degree views of the city below, while the incredible Gallery of Medieval Life (in partnership with the British Museum, their first outside of London) is aglow with nearly 1000 artefacts, from coins to armour. Explore how people worked, fought and prayed, glimpsing a centuries-old way of life through religious iconography, detailed textiles and unexpectedly modern pieces, like scientific instruments and tools.  

Take in the atmospheric beauty of this ancient building, too. The well- a favourite of Norwich natives- is illuminated in shimmering lights, mimicking trickling water, while the line of original arches is silhouetted by suspended glass bulbs. 

And that’s not all. You really can spend hours here- the former Victorian prison houses a myriad of displays. Explore the fine art galleries, walls adorned with the largest collection of Norwich School Artists in the world, from ethereal landscapes to romantic portraits. Look out for etchings by Rembrandt and take your time over the Paston Treasure- “a rare record of the Paston family’s collection of over 200 treasures”, one that remains ‘lost’ and layers of stories and paint continue to reveal. Then be transported to today with contemporary exhibitions and retrospectives on figures like David Shenton and his playful commentary on LGBTQ+ Britain (included in admission).

Evening

After all that exploring, you’ll deserve a delicious reward. Make your way to Yalm, via our Art Nouveau Royal Arcade. Designed by local ‘Gaudi’ George Skipper, sunlight sparkles through the bright glass ceiling onto beautiful tiles and independent stores’ fun window displays. Whether you’re into fashion, beauty or interiors, why not window shop on your way to dinner? Remember to return to pop into Macarons and More– perfect for a gift for your loved ones or yourself- we suggest the buttery salted caramel!  

When you’ve arrived at Yalm, mouthwatering dishes await for even the most indecisive diner. This buzzing food hall is popular with locals thanks to its eight local kitchens and array of worldwide cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for a stone baked pizza, smoky grill, zingy fish tacos or steaming bowl of ramen, all you have to do is take a seat on the long communal tables, scan the QR code and wait in anticipation for it to arrive- this is a sociable space for friends! Keep an eye on Yalm’s events calendar too- there’s always something fun going on! From DJs to quizzes to culinary showcases. 

If you don’t want your evening to end just yet, we suggest booking an hour or two in The Boardroom. Yalm’s newest addition is perfect for evening entertainment especially if there are several of you. Gather everyone for a little friendly competition and see who’s got the skills to take on SHUFL Tech and FLYBY interactive darts (from £3.50pp for 25 minutes). It’s fast paced and exciting, an upgrade on classic games that keeps every round engaging. Order another round of drinks- maybe a few nibbles- and see who comes out on top! 

For an alternative evening out, how about a show at Norwich Theatre? Forget London prices and be captivated by West End shows for less on the largest stage in the East. These mesmerising performances always give us goosebumps.

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Day Two
Walking Tour/ Plantation Garden/ The Cathedral of St John the Baptist/ Benedicts

//See & Do: Plantation Garden, Monday – Sunday; The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Monday – Sunday; Norwich Free Walking Tours; Paul Dickson Tours; Norwich Story Walks; Cheryl Cade Tours.
//Eat & Drink: Norwich Market, days and times vary for individual stalls, Monday – Sunday; Benedicts, Wednesday – Saturday.

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Morning

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 with such a great choice of guided walking tours, you’ve got plenty to discover!

Under our wide-open skies, absorb timeless tales and discover secret details you might otherwise have missed with Norwich Free Walking Tours. Led by guide Tom, this is a great- and authentic- introduction to our city’s history (tours run every day, last 2 hours and you can book on the day)! Traversing 1000 years of history from our medieval marketplace, through our winding lanes, all the way to Norwich Cathedral and back again, you’ll get to hear fascinating stories and fun facts interspersed with locals’ suggestions for where to get a coffee, the best spot for lunch and more (pay what you think the tour was worth at the end). 

Elsewhere, you can join Paul Dickson for a selection of specialised tours (from £9pp). Think ‘Boardman and Skipper’ (architecture), ‘The Great Market’, or ‘Norwich on the Dark Side’ (crime and punishment). For something quirkier, Norwich Story Walks is on hand for everything ‘Weird and Wonderful’ or for the history of our city’s greatest women (£10pp), while Cheryl Cade’s food and drink knowledge is ideal for introducing you to Norfolk’s best local produce on her Sausage Roll and Beer & Cheese tours (from £29pp). 

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon at a slower pace. Norwich is the only city in England in a national park (the Broads National Park, to be exact). And that means we’re a city filled with verdant green spaces. One of these is Plantation Garden (£2, honesty box). Set back off Earlham Road, this Grade II listed oasis feels a world away from city life. A former chalk quarry, it’s now home to manicured lawns and blooming borders, a Victorian Gothic Fountain, Italianate terrace and woodland paths. 

While you’re here, pay a visit to the Victorian Gothic Revival Cathedral of St John the Baptist (FREE) next door. Take your time exploring this grand building’s stained-glass windows, architecturally impressive arches and rare Frosterly marble (created from millions of tiny fossils). Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy a coffee and homemade cake on the patio of their Garden Cafe. This hidden green space is a golden suntrap!

Evening

Then really treat yourself – end the evening with a mouthwatering dinner at Michelin Guide-featured Benedicts. On St Benedicts Street, this fine dining restaurant blends contemporary ideas with classic, undeniably tasty, values. Think seasonal menus taking notes from family recipes and crafted to showcase the best of Norfolk produce- Chef Patron Richard Bainbridge is a Norwich Market regular. Favourites include Cromer crab and local line-caught sea bass, Norfolk lamb loin and East Anglia duck. And Nanny Bush’s Trifle is always a winner!

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Day Three
Sainsbury Centre

//See & Do: Sainsbury Centre, Tuesday – Sunday.
//Eat & Drink: Modern Life Cafe, Tuesday – Sunday.

Morning

On your final day, experience forward-thinking contemporary culture at the Sainsbury Centre (pay what you can). It’s easy to get here- just a 10-minute drive or 25-minute bus journey on the 25 and 26 from your accommodation.  

Once here, enter the futuristic Norman Foster-designed building and approach art a little differently. At the Sainsbury Centre, art is seen as an entity. The Living Art display lets you interact with pieces from renowned names like never before. Have you ever hugged a Henry Moore? Or reclined beneath a Giacometti? Or listened to the essence of a Francis Bacon? 

Then immerse yourself in life’s biggest questions with the museum’s seasonal exhibition series. From ‘How Do We Find Love?’ to ‘What is the Meaning of Life?’, see a whole host of different interpretations and responses that will give you a new perspective through mediums like painting, photography, installations, textiles and more. 

And outside, the art doesn’t stop. In the Sainsbury Centre’s Sculpture Park (FREE), you can stroll through the verdant campus of UEA, stumbling across pieces by Antony Gormley, Elisabeth Frank and Laurence Edwards among others. They feel part of the landscape, sitting within tall grasses and hiding in the undergrowth along the broad’s boardwalk. 

For your final stop at the Sainsbury Centre- and in Norwich, enjoy lunch in the Modern Life Cafe. This isn’t a normal museum cafe. On the northern face of this hangar-like space, sheer floor-to-ceiling glass windows invite in daylight, offering views of Henry Moore’s Draped Reclining Woman, whilst the menu puts East Anglian suppliers at the forefront. As you sit in this luminous space- when the sun shines, it fills with warmth, embrace the Sainsbury Centre’s unexpected informality. Watch locals go about their daily routines, meeting for lunch, walking the dog or popping in for a few inspiring moments with the art. 

If you’re after a light bite, choose a toasted ciabatta (sweet potato falafel is our pick) or fuel your journey home with a main meal like parmesan-crusted pork escalope. And don’t forget to treat yourself to a sweet treat- the Sainsbury Centre’s brownies are too good to leave behind! 

Before you leave, browse the shop. It’s part of the layout, open and inviting, enticing you in with eye-catching pieces and the promise of the Sainsbury Centre’s uniqueness through quirky homeware, locally crafted jewellery and intriguing coffee table books of displays past and present. Much like the rest of the museum, the shop makes art attainable, a welcome change that tempts you to return again and again.