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City and non-metropolitan district in Norfolk, England
Photo: Aleister Crowley 20:33, 19 January 2007 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Norwich, a two-cathedral city, is the capital of the English county of Norfolk, within the larger region of East Anglia. It lies some 185 km (115 miles) NNE of London, and as well as being a convenient base for exploring the Broads and the North Norfolk Coast is also a superb destination in its own right, with a lot more to see, do and enjoy than might otherwise be expected from one of England's smallest cities.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity
The 900-year-old Norman cathedral church. Don't miss 'old As I Am', a grinning skeleton on the south aisle wall. The surrounding Close is also very quiet, with statues of Nelson and Wellington.
Norwich castle is one of the dominant features of the city centre. The castle was initially commissioned by William the Conqueror and was completed by his son Henry. During its 900 year history it has had several uses initially as royal place then in later time it served as the city's prison. A more modern prison was added in Victorian times, but by the late 19thC the complex was given over to become a museum, a role it has retained to this day.
The original castle keep has just undergone a major five year £27m restoration, christened, Royal Palace reborn, and has included the reinstatement of original floor levels to recreate the Great Hall and the royal apartments. The British Museum has loaned artifacts to the museum to add to its own collection. Included in this redevelopment has been improved access to all floors in the Keep including the battlements, which afford fantastic views over the city.
Apart from this the museum has a series of galleries exploring local history and natural history and an art gallery that displays paintings from the Norwich School of artists as well as hosting visiting exhibitions.
Twilight ticket (one hour before closing): £2.50
Restored trading hall from medieval era, unique in England. Guided tours available once or twice a month.
A landmark building opened in 2001, architecturally dynamic, housing one of the best public libraries in the UK, BBC East, arts and information centre along with the large and popular Cafe Bar Marzano and a branch of the pizza chain Pizza Express. There are regularly changing events and exhibitions that are almost always free.
Located on the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) - well worth the visit, lovely building and an underground section with changing exhibitions in art, ceramics, textiles... creative and imaginative. It was designed by Norman Foster and it is an example of an early work of his in the 1970s. Housed in the building is a permanent exhibition of the Sainsbury supermarket family pottery, glass and sculpture collection with a lot of rare Chinese and tribal stuff. It is worth spending at least half a day there.
A fortified gun tower built between 1398 and 1399; inside not open to public.
Built in the 1200s, the site is an Almshouse for the citizens of Norwich. It is open to visitors only once a month with tours that must be booked in advance and start at 10AM.
Catholic Cathedral
Tower tours Saturdays from early May-late Sept (tel:+44 1603 724381 email:heritage@sjbcathedral.org.uk, age and height limits apply)
Beautiful secluded gardens just west of the Roman Catholic cathedral, created from a disused chalk quarry. Hosts semi-frequent events as well as an annual firework display.
Houses a collection of 19 military and civil aircraft, plus aircraft engines and other artifacts
Scuba Diving School & Trips
PADI & SSI courses, dive centre, dive trips and shop.
Sports Centre
Swimming pool, gym, climbing wall, martial arts, squash, etc.
Events venue, concerts, antiques markets, etc.
Built as a Friary complex.
Music and comedy venue housed in a 15th century, former church. A small venue, yet it has hosted well known bands such as Nirvana, Oasis, The Stone Roses, Manic Street Preachers, The Libertines and Coldplay.
Held every October in The Halls (see listing above).
one of the city's finest green spaces, lying west of the city.
a nationally important green space located to the north of the city.
An park with a wide range of facilities located north of the city centre.
A small and busy but pleasant park located in the very centre of the city, roughly adjacent to the Royal Theatre. Includes a hut selling refreshments and a wood-fired burger restaurant, Harry's.
A daytime and late-opening classy waffle emporium, offering a variety of sweet and savoury Belgian waffles. Some are vegetarian, some not, but the produce used is almost all organic. There's great coffee there too, and the service is generally quick.
Vegan
Fish&chips
An environmentally friendly vegetarian cafe and shop.
Restaurant and takeaway.
A major Thai food chain.
A well-regarded and well-reviewed, if pricy, Japanese restaurant.
Small restaurant serving Asian-style "street food" and cocktails, with live music later on in the evening. Good food and service, but be aware that options for non-alcoholic drinks are limited to tea, coffee, a couple of non-alcoholic beers and water.
Exceptionally well-regarded vegan and vegetarian Indian restaurant.
Excellent cafe with friendly service selling great North African and Middle Eastern food, in a quirky environment that also sells plants and furniture.
fantastic for mussels and does very good food at reasonable prices. They also do a variety of different beers: cherry beer is definitely worth a try.
Italian restaurant.
Independently owned Italian restaurant owned by chef patron Oliver Boon, a former ‘Masterchef Professionals’ finalist & previously head chef at the prestigious The Landau restaurant in London, run by Albert & Michel Roux Jnr. Private dining room for exclusive parties of up to 8 people.
Good priced and good quality Italian restaurant in the city centre with great service in a beautiful art deco building.
Serves a "whale of a fish" exactly as filling as its name indicates. Selection of beer excellent, staff courteous.
Well-established gastropub that sells a good range of pub food and drink for moderate prices.
Popular pub serving good pub food, with roasts (and only roasts) served on Sundays.
Nationally-renowned fine dining restaurant with a constantly changing menu.
A lovely choice is the Bicycle Shop bar/restaurant. Great for lunch or a drink in its downstairs bar. Good wines and local beers.
A bit old-fashioned and out of date. They tried refurbishing their restaurant so maybe they will sort the rest of the inside soon too. It is in a very pretty building so it is good for tourists who want a bit of old England. Queen Elizabeth the first is supposed to have slept in their Elizabethan suite.
Parking (£5 per night). By the railway station. Very convenient but full of middle managers who have come to do some work for Aviva/Norwich Union. Also can be very noisy at night as it is opposite Riverside (a big entertainment complex).
It has well-appointed rooms. The bar area is stocked with numerous local beers, as well as some of the more well-known continental brews. The restaurant is rather expensive, and breakfast is questionable.
Located between the airport and the city centre. Indoor pool with a sail-like canopy, air-conditioned gym. Pinewood Finnish sauna. Internet access available in every room.
Wi-Fi. Chargeable parking nearby. Early check-in and late checkout available (charged). Situated directly next to the main bus station.
Upscale B&B in a Georgian townhouse. No dogs.
Grand Georgian place often used for weddings, the rooms are in the St Mary's House extension. No dogs.
Amazing off-beat hotel in Reepham village north of city, great dining and service. Much of the decor is for sale so it's ever-changing.
Lovely relaxing hotel in a riverside Georgian house, great dining.
Caravan and tent camping site, with a camping field surrounded by river on two sides. Cheaper rates if not keeping a car on the site. Includes showers and toilets; around half an hour's walk from the railway station.
Charming guest house near the station, walkable from town, in a quieter area. Very clean and the owners, Sean and Vivian, are friendly and efficient
By train
Norwich railway station is the city's only railway station, a short walk from both Norwich City FC's Carrow Road stadium and the city centre's Castle Quarter.
By bus
Norwich bus station is off Surrey Street and Queens Road, in the city centre. It is near the Chantry Place shopping centre and a short walk from the Castle Quarter in the city centre.
By plane
Buses connect Norwich International Airport with the city centre, including routes 35 - CanaryKonect, X40/X44 and 501. The journey typically takes less than 30 minutes.
By boat
The city is on the River Wensum, a navigable tributary of the River Yare, which flows into the Broads National Park immediately after quitting the city.
By bicycle
On foot
There are several long distance footpaths connecting Norwich to other towns and cities.
Norwich city centre is fairly compact and can be explored easily on foot; in many cases this will be the quickest and easiest way to reach your destination.
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Norwich, Norfolk · Regional · NWI
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