Where to Keep Cool in Norwich
Where to Keep Cool in Norwich
by Katie Thompson
With summer fully warmed up, more of us are looking for activities that offer somewhere to keep cool.
As the only English city in a national park and one with an abundance of shady green spaces, Norwich has plenty of options when the sun is shining. And that doesn’t always mean inside, either. From leafy gardens to rippling waterways, unparalleled gelato to cool cultural spaces.
So, whether you love to while away your afternoons or enjoy an evening of entertainment, here’s where to keep cool in Norwich!
Read a Book at Plantation Garden
Sit in the shade of Plantation Garden with your favourite book
Tucked away off Earlham Road is Plantation Garden (£2 entry)– a tranquil Grade II-listed oasis at the heart of our city centre.
A former quarry, this hidden gem is ideal for getting out of the sun for a morning or afternoon- all you have to do is pack your favourite book. In the shade of towering trees, take a seat on the cool, dew-dropped lawn or a wooden bench next to the attractive Italianate terrace. For a proper cool off, embrace the spray of water off the intricate Victorian Gothic fountain!
Paddle in the River Wensum
Being on or near the water will cool you down!
Here, you’ve got two options.
Hire a paddleboard from The Lion’s Den River (£16.50 for 1 hour) and glide your way along the weeping-willow lined waters. Take it slowly for an hour or two at peace with nature, spotting elegant swans, darting dragonflies and fluttering butterflies. (And if you can face the sauna, we suggest recharging with The Lions’ Den’s reinvigorating cold plunges (from £14.50 for 1 hour)!
Or dip your toe in the rippling river for a cool down near Cow Tower. Locally nicknamed ‘the beach’, this small, shingled shore is popular with families, dog walkers and everyone in between for a shallow paddle. If you’re feeling brave enough, why not go for a swim? (Make sure it’s safe to first!)
Go Underground with The Shoebox Experiences
Head underground with The Shoebox Experiences’ Hidden Street Tour
Not only will you be keeping cool under the streets of Norwich with The Shoebox Experiences, but you’ll also be learning fascinating facts, too!
Head beneath the bustle of Castle Meadow with their Hidden Street Tour (adults £16.50, children £8.50)– some locals don’t even know this secret space exists! Turning back the centuries to a time of Strangers, rebels and ghosts, this cool location fits both meanings of the word!
Or for one of The Shoebox Experiences’ newest experiences, try The Old Rifle Range and Underground Norwich Tour (adults £20, children £8.50). In this rarely seen space beneath Upper St Giles, finding out more about this former rifle firing range (first built as a wine cellar in the 1700s) is perfect for history lovers or anyone curious!
Enjoy the Interior of The Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Take in the impressive (and cool) interiors of this Catholic cathedral out of the sun
As one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in the country (second only to Westminster), The Cathedral of St John the Baptist boasts impressive architecture to captivate and keep out the heat.
Inside, wonder at the powerful stone arches, sky-high tower (47 metres, to be exact), and unique Frosterley marble columns- the pattern is formed from thousands of fossils! As you explore, admire the detailed stained-glass windows and take a peek inside the cathedral’s very own library, before taking a seat beneath the wide parasols on the patio of their Garden Café with a refreshment.
Savour a Scoop at Café Gelato
The hardest decision at Cafe Gelato is what flavours to have!
You can’t go wrong with a silky-smooth gelato when the weather is warm (or when the weather is cold, come to that)!
And at family-run Café Gelato, there are plenty of flavours to choose from, whether you prefer to experiment or you’re a traditionalist when it comes to ice cream. Crafted the authentic Italian way on-site with fresh, local ingredients (their milk comes from a farm in Norfolk), warm weather calls for one of their many (vegan) sorbets. Our favourites include dark chocolate, Norfolk strawberry and Norfolk raspberry. But when there’s also mango, melon and lemon, you don’t need another excuse to come back!
Make a Splash at Park Farm
Treat yourself to Day Membership at Park Farm for a swim in their pool
Just a short drive outside of Norwich in Hethersett is Park Farm Hotel. Set within 200 acres of beautiful Norfolk countryside, not only is this a lovely place to stay, but the hotel is home to indulgent leisure facilities- including that all-important swimming pool!
And even if you’re not staying the night, you can treat yourself to Day Membership (adults £25, junior £10, subject to availability) for a relaxing day and well-deserved chance to unwind. Swim lengths in the swimming pool and move between the sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool.
Explore the South Asia Collection
Take in culture and crafts in the cool building that houses The South Asia Collection
Housed in Norwich’s former roller-skating rink (look up at the carved ceiling!), The South Asia Collection is another of the city’s hidden gems.
You’ll find this free-to-visit museum on Bethel Street. Inside, stumble upon displays and artefacts of Asian crafts and cultures from across the continent- whether that’s Pakistan or India, Thailand or Afghanistan. Wonder at the intricacy of ironwork, detailed prints depicting gods and deities, and stunning wooden and stone carvings. Why not take a piece home with you from their Country and Eastern shop? We’ve got our eye on the handmade rugs!
Search out the Air Conditioning
In Castle Quarter, enjoy an evening with friends under the air conditioning
Sometimes there’s nothing more attractive than air conditioning. Luckily, there are a number of spots in Norwich ready to cool you down when you come inside.
At Chantry Place, browse a selection of high street heroes and independent businesses away from the heat, from Mango and Oliver Bonas to Lisa Angel and Bakeaholics. (For any shopaholic, our independent flagship department store Jarrolds should also be on your radar. Here you can peruse five floors of fashion, beauty, homeware, food and more without the fear of getting too hot.)
Elsewhere, meet up with friends and family for an evening at Castle Quarter. Their ideal mix of leisure activities and air conditioning means you can be as competitive as you like- without breaking a sweat. Think crazy golf, ten-pin bowling, laser tag, cinema and more! Similarly, Mulligans is great for family days out (and out of the sun). Test your skills with their 18-hole, pop culture-themed crazy golf before having a go at electro putt and rebound shuffleboard!
Whilst the promise of a crisp pint in an icy glass may be all you need during a heatwave, we suggest a table at historic local pub the Murderers. Centrally located on Timber Hill, this pub is perfect for people watching as you while away long, lazy summer evenings in their cool interior (and they’re showing the World Cup!).
If you’re heading into Norfolk, make a beeline for the Goat Shed. Just off the A47 at Honingham, this farm shop, deli and café is the perfect place to savour our county’s local produce- and take some home as a souvenir! From crumbly goat’s cheese and juicy fruit to tasty sausages that will up your BBQ game.
