by Katie Thompson
With the start of a new month, comes the start of a new season- spring! When the sun is shining (hopefully!), the birds are chattering, and blankets of snowdrops and daffodils brighten pathways.
And this month, there’s loads going on around Norwich and Norfolk to get us all out and about. It’s the ideal month for a refreshing walk, to celebrate your loved ones on Mother’s Day, maybe visit an exhibition or two, and learn a little more about our fine city during English Tourism Week!
Make the most of March with our list of things to do below!
Take a tour to learn more about Norwich this English Tourism Week!
As locals and visitors alike, we all know that a city like Norwich is worth shouting about! That’s where English Tourism Week (14 – 23 March) comes in. This is about rediscovering the wonderful places we live in- whether that’s our history, our culture, or our many independent shops and eateries- and letting everyone know about them!
Where better to start than with a walking tour? You can dive into 1000 years of Norwich history with The Shoebox Experiences’ City of Centuries tour- for free (16 & 20 March, 11am)! If you want to weave your way through the stories of our medieval streets, tickets are limited- be sure to get in there fast by calling 01603 850309 to book your space!
Or if you’re interested in the tales of Victorian Norwich (from 16 March, 11am, £9), it’s time to take a tour with knowledgeable local guide Paul Dickson. This two-hour tour celebrates the city’s architecture, industry and shopping, including Colman’s Mustard (of course!), Caley’s Chocolate and a visit to Norwich’s last surviving shoe manufacturer Bowhill & Elliott.
Also falling between 15 and 23 March is National Lottery Open Week. To say thank you to everyone who plays the National Lottery, Norfolk Museums Service are offering free entry and free tours to select museums across the week. All you need to do is bring a lottery ticket or scratch card along as proof!
And while you’re learning something new about Norwich, keep an eye out for the latest Norwich map (as well as a little giveaway for English Tourism Week over on our Facebook page)!
Next up in the Sainsbury Centre’s series of investigative exhibitions it’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’
Here in Norwich, we’re lucky enough to have a brilliantly innovative and pioneering art museum right on our doorstep. Next up in the Sainsbury Centre’s series of investigative exhibitions it’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’ (15 March – 26 October, pay what you can).
The sea is an integral part of our lives, especially here in Norfolk. But as oceans get warmer, our relationship with the sea becomes more complex- though not always negatively. Through three interlinking exhibitions, which include contemporary photography, historical paintings, ancient atlases and more, the Sainsbury Centre is diving into this relationship and its impact on communities worldwide.
To coincide with the opening of ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’, the Sainsbury Centre is also celebrating English Tourism Week with 10% off their shop with code ‘ETWSC10’ (15 & 16 March).
Colin Self ‘Ferns from the Voltaire Suite’ 2020-21, spray paint on canvas. Private collection. © Colin Self. All rights reserved DACS 2025.
Another wonderful place to see art in our creative city is Norwich Castle. Especially when it’s an exhibition of a world-famous Norwich artist.
‘One Self: The Creative Life of Colin Self’ (29 March – 21 September, included in general admission), is the first retrospective of the Rackheath-born artist in 17 years. Rising to fame as a Pop artist in the 1960s, Colin Self’s works span from painting and drawing to collages, sculpture and printmaking. There’s over 120 pieces to see, taken from the Castle’s archives as well as loans from Tate and private collections.
And thanks to input from the artist himself, this is a truly personal curation that spans 60 years- from the 1960s to today. Plus, you’ll have the chance to experience some of Self’s lesser-known works- where our very own Norfolk countryside take centre stage.
If you want to treat your mum this Mother’s Day, why not swap the flowers and chocolate for something a little different this year?
If you want to treat your mum this Mother’s Day, why not swap the flowers and chocolate for something a little different this year?
At Bure Valley Railway, mums go free with a full paying ticket on 29 and 30 March! This 18-mile round trip runs through the beautifully green Bure Valley countryside and into the picturesque Norfolk Broads where daffodils line the way. And it’s a great excuse to pre-book their traditional afternoon tea, too.
For creative mums, The English Distillery’s Indoor Spring Garden Workshop (28 March, 10am – 1pm, £90) makes the perfect present- and one you can take home afterwards! Led by local floral designer Alexandra Grace Flowers, you’ll embrace your inner artist and create an enchanting spring centrepiece for your home.
Or if you’re looking for something slightly more traditional like a delicious meal out, then buzzing wine bar and brasserie The Last is offering a free glass of fizz to all mums. Elsewhere, the Maids Head’s WinePress restaurant has crafted a special three course lunch (£45 adults, £22.50 children 3-12 yrs, under 2s free)- and mums will receive a lovely gift, too!
Here’s to a memorable Mothering Sunday!
Cromer Pier’s brand-new dog festival is sure to get your tail wagging!
This March, Cromer Pier’s brand-new dog festival is sure to get your tail wagging! That goes for your furry friends, too!
Paws on the Pier (22 March, from 10am) is free to visit- for dog-lovers, pooch parents and everyone in between. You can expect exciting dog shows, a pet parade, and the chance to meet other dog owners, as well as an array of stalls with dog treats, toys, accessories and even grooming tips. And while you’re there, why not enter your furry friend for the accolade of ‘Best in Show’, ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Waggiest Tail’?
Plus, Cromer Pier is fully dog-friendly so you can take your time with a refreshing drink in the Pavilion Bar as you enjoy the stunning sea views.
