by Katie Thompson
2025 was a bumper year for the City of Stories. Not only did Norwich Castle reopen after a multi-million-pound restoration, but the city also hosted fantastic festivals for the first time, experienced brand-new tours, and welcomed exciting venues to our wellness, sports and nightlife scenes.
So, with a new year on the way, why not plan to visit one (or two) of Norwich’s newest things to do? Whether you’re a music fan or passionate about padel, a foodie or love to get out in nature.
Here’s our guide of things to do in Norwich in 2026 (that you might have missed in 2025)!
A sauna at The Lions’ Den is a lovely way to unwind and meet new people
The Lions’ Den (River and City) is where Norwich comes to sip, SUP, sauna and socialise. Here, it’s all about connection and community, where you can paddle beneath weeping willows on the River Wensum and relax in East Anglia’s first-ever rooftop sauna in their new city location! Think skyline views of Norwich Castle, St Peter Mancroft and more, with a cafe, Norwich’s only late-night alcohol-free bar, social and studio spaces and treatment rooms. In this bubble of tranquility, reconnect and unwind at the heart of the city.
If you’re in search of another oasis, Strangers’ Hall’s (Wednesday & Saturday, 10am – 4pm, February – December) luscious garden is now open for free all year round! With towering silver birch, an Elizabethan knot garden and well-tended lawn, this calming space is ideal for escaping everyday life, even for a second. Whether beneath crisp blue skies or surrounded by springtime blooms.
Or for something a little more active, try Court De Padel. As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, Norwich’s modern facility boasts 8 super panoramic courts (6 doubles and 2 singles), where anyone can get involved. It’s family-friendly, too, with a creche for your little ones, and a cafe serving small bites, vegetarian, vegan and organic dishes.
Immerse yourself in medieval life at Norwich Castle
If you do one thing, make it a visit to the newly redeveloped Norwich Castle! Now the UK’s most accessible castle, take in sky high views of the city before walking in the footsteps of King Henry I in the Keep. With larger-than-life projections, reinstated floors and authentically designed furniture, discover life as a royal household in medieval Norwich. Then, head down to the Gallery of Medieval Life. In partnership with the British Museum (the first of its kind outside of London), you can get up close to almost 1000 fascinating objects. And that’s without discovering the historical displays and art galleries awaiting you in the museum!
Speaking of incredible architecture, the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall is now open for free, three days a week, from spring to autumn. Bring along a picnic or lose yourself in a good book in the courtyard garden- after all, 2026 is a national year of reading and you’re in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. And remember to explore the timber beams and storied stone walls of this medieval merchant’s hall. It’s Grade I listed for a reason!
Rock N Roll Circus is back for another year in 2026, bringing some of the biggest names in music!
This August (21 – 23), Rock N Roll Circus returns to Earlham Park! Following last year’s success with headliners McFly, Courteeners and Olly Murs, the likes of Madness, The Streets, The Kooks and The Vaccines will be playing Norwich this summer. On top of that, there’s loads of live circus performance, from acrobatics to tight rope walking, as well as circus workshops to test your own skills!
For anyone who loves to sing along, Bowling House’s latest karaoke booth means you can sing the night away with up to 30 friends! There are 80,000 tunes to choose from (yes, really), so warm up your vocal cords and treat yourself to one of Bowling House’s packages, where you can feast on delicious food and knock down strikes in their retro bowling alley. Plus, with their refurbished dining area, it’s an even better spot to catch-up with friends. Think snug booths and intimate lighting, but still involved in all the action on the alleys should you wish!
With Norwich Story Walks, you’ll learn so many fun and fascinating facts about Norwich’s female figures
One of the best ways to discover the City of Stories is with a tour.
For anyone who’s new to Norwich, but wants to take it at their own pace, we suggest Go Quest Adventures. This self-led tour takes you on a journey from City Hall, through the Lanes, to our stunning Cathedral Quarter and back again, answering clues and solving puzzles about our long history.
When you want to delve deeper, Norwich Story Walks is full of weird and wonderful tales. Thanks to their newest Her Story Walk, you can immerse yourself in the untold stories of Norwich’s female figures. This specially curated tour celebrates the feats of remarkable women across 900 years. From pioneering leaders like Edith Cavell to unsung heroes like Emma De Guader.
Or if mouthwatering food and drink is more your thing, Cheryl Cade’s Sausage Roll Tour (probably the world’s first) is a must. Think 5 venues, 5 sausages rolls and a bit of history thrown in for good measure as you follow animated food and drink expert Cheryl, as seen on This Morning, through Norwich’s most popular spots.
Pensthorpe’s new biosonification garden is tranquil, with ethereal music created by the plants themselves
Immerse yourself in Norfolk’s varied landscapes at Pensthorpe’s new Biosonification Garden. Beginning life as the Alan Partridge Sound Bath Garden at RHS Hampton Court, this special horticultural site is East Anglia’s first permanent sound garden. In this pioneering project, electrical plant signals are transformed into ethereal music, changing with the seasons as each plant grows to create a magical soundscape you could listen to for hours.
At the UK’s largest invertebrate park, The Bug Parc will transport you to tropical climes with their newest addition, The Butterfly House. Open all year round, this 27,000sq foot dome is home to over 30 species of these beautiful creatures. Inside, stroll along accessible pathways, past Koi and goldfish ponds as they flit around you. It’s a kaleidoscope of colour, with over 400 butterflies and caterpillars calling this balmy, green habitat home.
Roll up, roll up! Head to Thursford’s exciting Adventure Play Fair. Think all the fun of the (vintage) fair, with a giant Helter Skelter, Ferris Wheel, Carousel and more to clamber and climb on. Dotted with wooden walkways, balance beams and thrilling slides, you could easily spend a few hours here. Plus, it boasts the UK’s first water fountain organ (swimming costumes recommended)!
A night in a Shepherd Hut on the Holkham Estate? Yes, please!
And if you’re visiting Norwich and Norfolk, you’ll need somewhere to stay, right? At Holkham Estate’s The Victoria, you can stay in four beautifully crafted Shepherd Huts (all dog-friendly, might we add). Sleeping up to two people, you’ll awake with views of verdant Norfolk countryside mere moments from the Estate’s sprawling grounds and breathtaking beaches of Holkham Nature Reserve. And relax…
