Princes St, part of the Norwich Lanes
Cobbled stone path on Elm Hill
Fye Bridge crossing the River Wensum
There’s a lot to explore in Norwich and the wider country of Norfolk. Some of our favourites include:
Norwich Lanes
Just a few steps from Norwich City Hall you can find the winding alleyways, courtyards and open spaces of the Norwich Lanes. It may be just one small part of the city but what a slice of Norwich it is. You can find over 300 independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, two museums, several art galleries and independent cinema and more live music venues than you can shake a stick at.
Admire the architecture
For a modern city, Norwich has a whole host of historic settings to admire. There’s no less than 33 medieval churches in the city to explore, while high on your must-see list should be Elm Hill – complete with cobbles, Tudor buildings and wealthy merchant houses. Pay a visit to the Norman Cathedral one evening during the week or on Sunday, when you can enjoy the beautiful Evensong from Norwich Cathedral Choir. And look out for the resident peregrine falcons who nest on the building’s roof – there’s an observation point in Cathedral Close.
Norwich Castle
Behind the walls of this Norman castle there’s over one million fascinating exhibits. Art from John Crome and John Sell Cotman is displayed, alongside the death masks of convicted killers, a giant polar bear and a mummified cat – eclectic just about sums it up, there really is something for everyone. Kids will love the opportunity to explore the castle’s dungeons and then head for the battlements to drink in the inspiring city views.
A river wander
The River Wensum flows through Norwich city and is part of the Southern Broads. Whether you explore on foot or by boat you can’t fail to be impressed with the surroundings. The chalk river is home to all manner of birds, fish, plants and insects who make the most of the crystal clear water that is purified by the porous chalk. Its entire length has been designated both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
The Forum
There can be no harder working building than Norwich’s The Forum. Open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day families flock here to visit the public library or attend various events and activities. It’s also home to the BBC’s regional headquarters, a pizzeria, the tourist information centre, the Norfolk Heritage Centre and the Second Air Division Memorial Library. It hosts free art exhibitions, craft and food markets, films, music events and much more. This iconic Norwich landmark was built to celebrate the new Millennium and is always a hotspot of activity.
Norwich Cathedral