There’s nothing worse than getting ready for the day, just to see it raining outside. Although some plans may feel hindered, when you’re in Norwich, there’s always rain-friendly activities to keep you entertained for the day! Here are our top picks…
Looking for something new and out of the ordinary from your daily life? Norwich and Norfolk play host to so many fun activities for the whole family! You can learn something new, or even hit the lanes with ten-pin bowling.
Perhaps the perfect rainy-day activity for families or friends of all ages, Cryptic Escape offer incredible escape rooms for you to try and solve in record timing. Locked in a room for 60 minutes, you’ll have to use the objects, codes, and other hidden hints to earn your freedom.
There are an impressive six rooms to break out of, ranging from ‘Mafia Robbery’ to ‘The Tomb of Akhenaten’, giving your group the difficult decision of choosing which one you’ll play!
Escape rooms start at £45 for two players, scaling up to £114 for a group of six. You can find Cryptic Escape across two locations in Tombland and Rose Lane, booking is advised to avoid disappointment!
Can you solve all the puzzles and earn your freedom at Cryptic Escape?
For a highly immersive, adrenaline-fuelled experience, look no further than Escape Hunt at Chantry Place! Explore new worlds and travel through time with a range of themed, five-star escape rooms and virtual reality adventures. Feel your heart beating in your chest as you solve brilliant puzzles and mysteries to complete a mission in a race against the clock!
It’s the perfect rainy day activity for groups and families, and open for teams starting from just two players, so you and your best friend or partner can experience thrilling adventures in the city – whatever the weather. Choose from a range of themed rooms including Alice in Wonderland, Doctor Who and Aladdin!
Please note that indoor escape rooms are subject to an age limit of 8 years and over and VR games are suitable for age 12 and up.
You’ve seen Norwich as you know it, now it’s time to explore the hidden secrets of the city… The Shoebox Experiences is a wonderful way to spend a rainy day, offering five different activities from the Hidden Street Tour to the Secrets of the Tunnels Escape Game.
The Shoebox Experiences can be found on Castle Meadow, under the gaze of Norwich Castle. What will you discover?
Hidden History tours at The Shoebox Experiences
Just how much do you really know about Norwich? The Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell is sure to teach you something new and incredibly interesting about this city of stories, for both visitors and lifelong residents alike.
Starting at the City’s industries and people in medieval times and taking us up to the modern day, you can even enjoy a free VR experience focused on Kett’s Rebellion, the last public revolt in the country!
The Museum of Norwich is open from Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm and can be found on Bridewell Alley. Admission ranges from £7 for adults to £6 for children aged 4-18. Buy your tickets on the door or book in advance online.
The Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Fancy hitting the lanes? The Bowling House is a great way to spend a rainy day in Norwich, but it isn’t just ten-pin bowling you get to enjoy… this delightfully stylish venue is also a cocktail bar, karaoke venue, and a restaurant serving amazing food!
The Bowling House can be found at the very start of Dereham Road, with lanes priced at a flat rate of £18 per 30 minutes, making it really affordable for a group!
Bowling House
If you have a whole day to fill, Castle Quarter has more than enough to keep you occupied. As well as being a shopping mall for clothes, jewellery, food and toys, there’s plenty of fun to be had too. Catch the latest release at Vue Cinema on the top floor, or maybe you’re after something a bit more daring? Head to Boom Battle Bar for crazier golf, electric darts, beer pong, axe throwing and more!
If you want something a bit more casual, there’s Superbowl for a classic game of bowling, or Retro Replay, a retro arcade and gaming lounge, so you can get lost in all the classics!
For a highly immersive, adrenaline-fuelled experience, look no further than Escape Hunt at Castle Quarter! Explore new worlds and travel through time with a range of themed, five-star escape rooms and virtual reality adventures. Feel your heart beating in your chest as you solve brilliant puzzles and mysteries to complete a mission in a race against the clock!
It’s the perfect rainy day activity for groups and families, and open for teams starting from just two players, so you and your best friend or partner can experience thrilling adventures in the city – whatever the weather. Choose from a range of themed rooms including Journey to Atlantis, Wild West and Blackbeard’s Adventure!
Please note that indoor escape rooms are subject to an age limit of 8 years and over and VR games are suitable for age 12 and up.
If you love spending your spare time soaking up some culture, then you’re in luck. There’s plenty to experience right here in Norwich.
Norwich Cathedral is truly a landmark you can’t miss – no matter how cloudy and rainy it is! This historic architecture has endless delights to be explored. From the monastic Cloisters of the Middles Ages, which are the biggest of their kind in the country, to the grave of Edith Cavell, you’ll find something new to be fascinated by every time at the Cathedral.
If you want to soak in all the history and a few secrets, the Cathedral even offer free tours! Guided tours usually take place Monday to Saturday at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. The tours start from the Font in the Nave and there is no need to book in advance. Please note: occasionally tours cannot take place due to events or rehearsals.
Alternatively, the Cathedral offers a fabulous free virtual tour offering a 3D 360 digital experience.
The Cathedral is completely free to enter and can be found next to Tombland right in the city centre, as we said earlier, you really can’t miss it!
If you’re looking to indulge in a bit of history and culture, look no further than Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre and accessible by bus (11, 12, 25 all have stops nearby), their permanent collection is truly something to marvel over.
Better yet, if you’re heading in on the first Sunday of the month, you’ll be happy to hear that from 10:30-12:30am they offer a free family day, so the little ones can experience some great fun! Don’t feel like heading out at all? That’s not a problem with the Sainsbury Centre, who have their collection of artefacts online to explore!
Entry is free of charge to the permanent collections and includes works from all across the globe, dating back from prehistory all the way up to the late twentieth century. There are even two great onsite cafés to get you warmed up before you head in, or after for a light bite!
There’s no better place to either face your fears or get your creepy crawly fix than at The Bug Parc! Started by Martin French in his back garden 20 years ago, his passion soon saw him grow into a five-acre space to continue growing his collection of invertebrates, and now the public can see them up close!
They host a whole plethora of fascinating bugs for you to learn about, interact with, and make some new 4-legged (or more!) friends. The Bug Parc is a 25-minute drive from the City Centre, with tickets ranging from £10.95 for adults, to £8.95 for children aged 4-17.
The Bug Parc
