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Travel Walk

Walking around Norwich

Pull your shoes on. You’re going on an adventure.

Norwich is made for walking, it’s a very compact city. With pedestrianised streets plus alleys and crannies everywhere, it’s a charming place to stroll around. Take it at your own pace – stop for a coffee, linger at a medieval church. Peek in, look up and definitely slow down.

Norwich prides itself on its rich history which can be seen around every corner. Through streets like Elm Hill, medieval merchant’s houses like Strangers’ Hall and architecture such as The Guildhall and The Forum. Visit not one but two cathedrals and city green spaces such as the site of Kett’s rebellion at Mousehold Heath and our wondrous Norman castle, high on its mound. There’s a reason to take time to see it all, its glorious diversity, its unexpected ‘old-meets-new’.

Walk and talk

Take a themed city guided walk organised by the Tourist Information Centre or book yourself a Paul Dickson walking tour where you can learn about the history of Norwich Market and other such grand landmarks. After dark? Norwich Ghost Walks will keep you on your toes.

Punctuate your walking with some shopping. You can spend hours looking around Magdalen Street on a Saturday morning. Browse collectables and second-hand, vintage fashion and lifestyle. Towards Wensum Street, feed into the Cathedral Quarter which leads to the Norwich Lanes. This is a full day walking and exploring, buying from independent stores and eating and drinking your way around the city. End at Norwich Market for a beer at Sir Toby’s Beers, it has to be the smallest bar in the city by far. And being small means it’s a great place to join in the conversation.

A pub for every day, a church for every week

A common ‘fact’ about Norwich is that it historically had a pub for every day of the year and a church for every week. The misconception comes from the fact that there were two pubs for every day of the year. Fortunately for beer lovers Norwich is still home to over 150 pubs, and with 10 per square mile there is plenty to explore on foot. Oh and there’s 31 medieval churches, you see them everywhere.

Architecture

All the guided walking tours of Norwich will tell you to look up. See some of the most intricate and unusual architecture imaginable, from stone carvings on Norwich’s Anglican Cathedral to George Skipper terracotta on the Jarrold building facing Little London Street. At eye level look out for ornate posts with beautiful tops all through the Norwich Lanes as well as plaques dedicated to the great people of Norwich’s past such as Harriet Martineau. At foot level watch out for intricate paving, featuring details of historic Norwich.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an explorer or a shopper, a historian or pub connoisseur or simply keen to seen what all the hype is about, Norwich is a place of unique perspectives. A city with a story to tell. And you’re welcome here.

Guided Walking Tours

Discover the unique city of Norwich with its extraordinary heritage and outstanding buildings with our fully trained and enthusiastic tour guides.

Paul Dickson Tours

Paul Dickson Tours offers year-round guided walking tours in Norwich and the Broads National Park, featuring private tours for groups of 2 to 20, along with a series of bookable public tours.

Norwich Ghost Walks

Take a tour through the haunted streets of Norwich! See the spooky side of Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle, Elm Hill, Tombland and more…

Launch the Norwich Explorer Map