The Norwich Tourist Information Centre has now closed. Instead, the VisitNorwich website offers the information you need on places to stay, where to eat and drink, and things to do.

You’ll find our helpful Norwich City Hosts out and about in Norwich from Monday to Saturday between 10:30am – 12:30am. You’ll know them by their iconic blue ‘Here to Help’ tabards; they can answer any questions you may have about Norwich and offer recommendations.

If you’re planning a visit to Norwich and won’t have access to wi-fi on the day, you can download our Printable Norwich Information PDFs and print at home here.

If you’d like any further information, please email [email protected].

Car

Norwich is only 110 miles north of London and 64 miles from Cambridge. From the west, it’s 121 miles from Nottingham, 160 miles from Birmingham and 165 miles from Oxford. The main routes into Norwich are the A47 (west), A11 (southwest), A140 (south) and A146 (southeast).

If you’re coming into Norwich via the A11 and A47, we recommend using the Park & Ride at Thickthorn, and at Harford via the A140. Fares start at £3 per adult, with it being only £1 extra when you Park and Ride with another full paying passenger. For groups of up to 5 people, it’s £6. Services are fast, using bus lanes and running approximately every 15 – 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays. Park & Ride bus services run into the evening.

Several multi-storey and surface car parks are located within the city centre, including parking at Castle Quarter, Chantry Place, John Lewis, Riverside, The Forum, St Andrews Car Park, Rose Lane, St Giles Car Park, and St Stephens Car Park.

For more detailed information, please read our Travel by Car FAQs and Travel by Bus FAQs.

Train

Visiting Norwich by train is an easy and efficient way to get into the city, with late-night services until 10.30pm – 11pm (depending on the service) and no worry of parking or traffic. Norwich Train Station is located centrally in our Riverside district, around a 10 – 15-minute walk to the city centre and marketplace.

From Norwich station, you can take onward travel into the Broads National Park and to the Norfolk coast (east to Great Yarmouth and north to Cromer and Sheringham) with Greater Anglia.

Train Routes to Norwich:

London Liverpool Street to Norwich (direct) via Stratford, Chelmsford, Colchester, Manningtree, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Diss with Greater Anglia. Note some trains are fast (90 minutes) and stop in less places. Advance fares from London are from £10 each way.

Liverpool (direct) to Norwich via Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Peterborough and Thetford with East Midlands Railway.

London Kings Cross with Great Northern via a change at Cambridge with Greater Anglia to Norwich.

Greater Anglia also operate services from Stansted Airport, Audley End, Cambridge, Ely, Thetford, Attleborough and Wymondham.

Locally, there are trains to Norwich from Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Sheringham and Cromer with Greater Anglia on the coast. And from the Broads National Park, Greater Anglia runs trains to Norwich from Salhouse, Hoveton & Wroxham, North Walsham and Gunton with Greater Anglia.

Airport

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, flying into Norwich International Airport is quick and easy- the airport only a 15-minute drive or 20-minute bus journey from the city centre.

You can fly from destinations within the UK or Europe, including Scotland, Spain, Greece and Amsterdam. Norwich is connected to over 400 cities worldwide via Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s most important airline hubs.

Norwich has plenty of multi-storey and surface car parks across the city, as well as five Park & Ride sites.

If you’re coming into Norwich via the A11 and A47, we recommend using the Park & Ride at Thickthorn, and at Harford via the A140. Fares start at £3 per adult, with it being only £1 extra when you Park and Ride with another full paying passenger. For groups of up to 5 people, it’s £6. Services are fast, using bus lanes and running approximately every 15 – 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays. Park & Ride bus services run into the evening.

Several multi-storey and surface car parks are located within the city centre, including parking at Castle Quarter, Chantry Place, John Lewis, Riverside, The Forum, St Andrews Car Park, Rose Lane, St Giles Car Park, and St Stephens Car Park.

Read our Travel by Car FAQs for more information on travelling to Norwich via car, including car parks, charging points, and more.

There’s accessible parking across the city’s public car parks, streets and shopping centres. For the main blue badge parking, see the list below, or for a comprehensive list, please visit the Norwich City Council website or check out our Accessibility Need-to-Know page.

On-Street Parking

• All Saints Green (John Lewis)
• Ber Street
• Bethel Street (outside City Hall customer centre)
• Cathedral Street
• Gentlemans Walk (opposite Lloyds Bank)
• Gentleman’s Walk (outside the Halifax)
• King Street
• London Street
• Theatre Street
• Tombland

Multi-Storey Car Parks

• St Andrews (52 spaces, 50% discount)
• St Giles (11 spaces, 50% discount)
• St Stephens (4 spaces)
• Rose Lane (36 spaces, 50% discount)
• Riverside (24 spaces)
• Chantry Place (43 spaces)
• Castle Quarter (30 spaces)
• The Forum (12 spaces)
• John Lewis

Open-Air Car Parks

• Barn Road (5 spaces, free)
• Chantry (4 spaces, additional free hour for every hour you buy)
• Chapel Field East (1 space, additional free hour for every hour you buy)
• Colegate (5 spaces, free)

In Norwich’s city centre, there’s a selection of hotels and accommodation, including boutique B&B The Assembly House and The Maids Head Hotel. You’ll also find a number of Premier Inns and Travelodges.

In the Broads National Park, you can stay at The Norfolk Mead, Poolside Lodges, Kett Country Cottages and Reedham Ferry Touring Park.

In the Norfolk countryside, stay at Park Farm, Barnham Broom, Fielding Cottages and Go Norfolk Cottages.

On the North Norfolk coast, try The Victoria and its Shepherd Huts on the Holkham Estate, or Holly Lodge B&B and their Shepherd Hut at Thursford.

For more information, check out our Stay page.

Yes. Norwich’s city centre is very compact, approximately 30 minutes’ walk from one side to the other if you’re a confident walker.

There’s plenty to do within walking distance, making Norwich ideal for those with limited mobility or those visiting with young children. In the city centre you can reach on foot: attractions, museums, independent shops, high street shops, 2 shopping malls, Norwich Market, restaurants, pubs, bars, the bus station, the rail station, the river and 4 theatres.

Look out for our City Hosts, who are here to help you make your way around Norwich, or pick up or download the Norwich Map.

There are a number of bus services available to help you travel around Norwich and Norfolk. There are frequent train services between Norwich and Norfolk, as well as the rest of the country.

To find out more detail about local bus and train services, please visit Norfolk County Council’s website here for more details. If you’re in the city, please visit Norwich Bus Station and Norwich Train Station, where information and assistance is available.

There are public toilets available throughout Norwich. You can find a list of public toilets on the Norwich City Council website here as well as on the Norwich Map (which you can pick up from the City Hosts and businesses across the city).

You’ll find accessible toilets in public venues, attractions and stores across the city. All toilets are RADAR key accessible. Here is a list of key locations. You can find out more on our Accessibility Need-to-Know page.

Changing Places toilets:

• The Forum
• Chantry Place
• Castle Quarter
• Norwich Castle

Accessible toilets:

• Marks and Spencer
• Jarrolds
• John Lewis
• Norwich Market
• Norwich Cathedral
• Norwich Bus Station
• Norwich Train Station

You can visit Changing Places’ website and Toilet Map to find your closest accessible toilet on a map.

Yes, you can pick up a FREE map of Norwich at various locations around the city. The map is full of information on shopping, attractions, restaurants and things to do.

Keep an eye out for our City Hosts in their blue tabards, who can give you a map and are happy to help you find your way around Norwich (and have a chat too!).

You can view and download the Norwich Map here!

Norwich has plenty of guided walks and tours to choose from.

Paul Dickson Tours has a host of themed tours including an introduction to Norwich as well as informative tours about Norwich’s pubs, stories, architecture and more.

Cheryl Cade is Norwich’s beer sommelier and cheese expert, offering walking tours which take in tastings of beer, gin, sausage rolls and cheese with local Norwich history too.

The Shoebox Experiences are something different again. Tour their hidden medieval street, or join their Tipsy Tavern Tour. They have plenty more on offer too, including tours of architectural gems Carrow House and Marble Hall.

Norwich Story Walks will give you insight into all the weird and wonderful stories and secrets of Norwich’s history, from City Hall through the Lanes and down to Cathedral Quarter, as well as tales about the city’s incredible women.

Norwich Ghost Walks take you on a spooky tour around Norwich through some of the most haunted areas of the city! There are two routes (and seasonal specials) to choose from.

Norwich Pub Tours offers guided tours to a selection of the city’s most characterful pubs, regaling tales of unforgettable (and sometimes gruesome) stories from our history.

Free 1-hour tours are available around Norwich Cathedral.

Free tours of Dragon Hall are offered by the National Centre for Writing whose home is a medieval trading hall. The National Centre for Writing also have self-guided walking tours. Take a look at Wandering Words for a wonderful literary tour including soundscapes and commissioned poems to accompany your surroundings. All you need is your phone!

Not sure how to spend your time in the City of Stories? Check out our itineraries below! (And find more on our blog!)

For Food & Drink: A Foodie’s Weekend in Norwich

For Nature: Act Natural

For History & Heritage: Old Meets Now; Old City, New Attitude

For Sustainability: A Sustainable City Break in Norwich; A Car Free City Break

For Accessibility: An Accessible Itinerary to Norwich; Norwich with Little Walking

For Families: A Family Break in Norwich

On a Budget: Bargain Breaks in Norwich

For 1, 2 or 3 Days: 24 Hours in Norwich; 48 Hours in Norwich; 72 Hours in Norwich

For the Best of Norwich: A Weekend Getaway in Norwich; Norwich Recommended by a Local; Build Your Own Itinerary

For Relaxing: A Slow City Break; A Relaxed Day in Norwich

For Norfolk: The City & The Coast; The City and The Broads; A Nourishing Norfolk Break

For Relaxing: A Slow City Break; A Relaxed Day in Norwich

For Norfolk: The City & The Coast; The City and The Broads; A Nourishing Norfolk Break

Norwich is a city with a bit of everything- great museums, fantastic shopping, plenty of independent stores, fabulous food and drink, architecture, hidden gems, green spaces and theatres.

And don’t forget Norwich Market– a treasure trove in the city centre with amazing around-the-world street food stalls alongside souvenirs, vintage fashion, second-hand books, and essential items!

For guided tours, see above.

If you’re planning a visit to Norwich and won’t have access to wi-fi on the day, you can download our Printable Norwich Information PDFs and print at home here.

Following an amazing restoration, Norwich Castle is now completely open to the public!

The Keep has been restored to it’s medieval grandeur, with all five floors fully accessible, making it the most accessible castle in the UK. It boasts reinstated medieval floors and rooms, panoramic battlement views, a Gallery of Medieval Life with nearly 1000 medieval artefacts (created in partnership with the British Museum), and interactive and multisensory elements.

Norwich Castle is also home to a museum and art galleries (once the Victorian prison), with displays on historic fine and contemporary art, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Egyptian archaeology, and natural history.

Norwich Castle is open daily from 10am – 5pm.

Prices start from £15.30 for adults and £13.05 for children when you book online in advance. Twilight tickets just one hour before closing are £2.50.

Visit their website for details on exhibitions, displays, parking, food and drink, facilities and more!

Norwich city centre is full of great independent and national eateries, from pavement cafes to fine dining restaurants. And being in a county well known for its food production and fresh fish, many use local seasonal ingredients.

For coffee, cake, and a spot of lunch (including with wine), go to Jarrolds, Café Gelato, Bread Source at Norwich Cathedral and Logans.

For casual lunches and dinners (maybe with cocktails!) take a look at Saporita, Pho, Yalm, Grosvenor Fish Bar, The Waffle House, Prelude at Norwich Theatre Royal, Giggling Squid, and Namaste Village.

Norwich Market is perfect for street food from around the world from breakfast to early evening.

And traditional afternoon tea can be taken at The Assembly House, The Maids Head Hotel and The Last.

For something a bit special, try fine dining at Benedicts, Brix and Bones, The Last and WinePress at the Maids Head Hotel.

There are also great chains at Chantry Place and Castle Quarter.

Norwich Market is one of the largest and oldest open-air markets in the country, and has been located in its current spot for almost 950 years. In 2019, it won Best Large Outdoor Market at the Great British Market Awards.

Situated in the heart of Norwich, Norwich Market is open Monday to Saturday from breakfast to early evening. Some stalls may be open on Sundays. We suggest checking their opening hours on the Norwich County Council website. (Sir Toby’s Beers is the exception. It’s the market’s only licensed bar on the market and fabulous for a beer or mulled wine at Christmas.)

While the market sells a delicious range of quality local foods, it’s also a champion for international street food, offering up some of the finest produce and dishes from around the world!

Amongst many other things, you can buy fresh flowers, plants, jewellery, souvenirs, haberdashery, vintage clothes, and second-hand books.

You can take a tour of the market with Paul Dickson on a Great Market Tour.

Shopping in Norwich offers a wonderful mix of independent and high street brands. And because Norwich has a compact medieval street pattern you can get to all of the following in one day without need for further transportation.

For the independents, head over to the Norwich Lanes, Royal Arcade, Norwich Market, Elm Hill and Magdalen Street (best for vintage, second-hand and collectables).

For brands you know and love, go to Chantry Place, Castle Quarter, Gentleman’s Walk and St Stephen’s.

For department stores, browse Jarrolds (independent), John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Frasers.

Norwich is an affordable city with a host of free things to do all year round, as well as free tickets to some really great annual events.

During school holidays and throughout the year, there is a large free programme at Norwich Science Festival (February), Norwich Games Festival and Norfolk & Norwich Festival (May), Heritage Open Days (September) and Norwich Book Festival (October).

Check out our free and low cost page which has some great things to do in Norwich, including:

• Free and low cost things to do
• Free things for families
• Free sightseeing
• Free things to do outdoors

Norwich has two cathedrals, one in our Cathedral Quarter and one on Earlham Road.

900-year-old Norwich Cathedral is home to the largest monastic cloisters in England, the second tallest spire in the UK (home to a peregrine falcon family) and houses more than a 1,000 beautiful medieval roof boss sculptures. It’s located in 44-acres of grounds (home to Norwich’s Paddington bench), which lead to the River Wensum. Their Refectory Cafe is great for a snack or lunch.

The city is also home to The Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Situated on Unthank Road, this Roman Catholic cathedral is a fine example of the great Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. While you’re here, enjoy a slice of cake in their Garden Cafe and visit The Plantation Garden next door (Norwich’s secret garden).

The Sainsbury Centre is one of the most prominent art museums in Britain. It is world renowned and was designed by Norman Foster. Located on the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA), the Sainsbury Centre is just a short bus journey on the number 25, 26, or 26a bus. (From the city centre, it’s a 45-minute walk.)

To enter, ‘pay if and what you can’. Its 5000 year-old collection of world art and exhibitions accessible to everyone. See works by Picasso, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Degas, Giacometti and much more. The Sainsbury Centre also recognises art as living, so you can visit and really hug a Henry Moore or become your own artwork.

The museum is also home to a cafe, shop and restaurant, plus 100s of acres of grounds, including around UEA Broad, which is home to their free Sculpture Park.

The Sainsbury Centre is open Tuesday – Sunday.

Head up to Mousehold Heath (or nearby accessible Kett’s Heights) for a stunning view of the city skyline. Located north-east of the medieval city boundary and walkable from the city centre, Mousehold Heath is a local nature reserve where people go to unwind from the pace of city life. It was from the heath that an army of rebels besieged the city during Kett’s Rebellion in 1549. Paul Dickson offers walking tours which explain the history – Shardlake’s Norwich.

You can also join a tower tour at The Cathedral of St John the Baptist for another amazing view.

In the city centre itself, from the mound and battlements of Norwich Castle (pay to enter), you’ll see the Norwich skyline with its medieval churches, both cathedrals, The Forum, City Hall and more.

There’s plenty to do in Norwich at Christmastime! Visit our dedicated Christmas FAQs to find the answers to all your festive-themed questions!

Elsewhere, you can visit our Christmas in Norwich page, for festive events and Christmas blogs.

Yes, Norwich is home to a selection of conference venues. These include:

• Norwich Castle
• Carrow Road
• The Halls
• Norwich Research Park
• Norfolk Showground & Events Centre
• University of East Anglia (UEA)
• Norwich University of the Arts

For more details, please see our Conferences in Norwich brochure.