Norwich has a compact center packed full of historic delights. Shopping streets are lined with store windows that look like they belong to a Victorian novel, making for perfect, meandering walks. Beneath the antique exterior, modern creative industries fill the city’s old buildings.
Find the ancient heart of Norwich
No trip to Norwich is complete without a visit to the hilltop castle built during Norman times. Standing proudly in the middle of the city, Norwich Castle is now a museum and art gallery. Take a guided tour of the battlements, castle keep and dungeons, and pause for refreshments in the onsite cafe where there’s homemade baking for all tastes, including gluten-free options.
Wander through “The Close”, the area surrounding the cathedral. It’s a ramshackle mesh of Georgian Houses and cottage gardens, spilling with colorful flowers, which leads the way to the grand Norwich Cathedral.
Testament to its beauty, this area has been used as the backdrop for several period dramas. Endless halls are columned with intricate stonework and, within the Cathedral Quarter, you’ll find the biggest cloister walkways in Britain.
Stop for coffee at the Refectory and indulge in a slice of cake or a freshly baked scone in the cathedral grounds. The surrounding Georgian buildings house boutique stores, cozy cafes, tearooms and bookshops, perfect for whiling away the hours.
Discover the old lanes
An old jumble of narrow alleys, the Norwich Lanes are made for exploring. Hip bars and restaurants pack this bohemian space as well as intimate theater venues, independent music halls, museums and art galleries. The Halls is a particularly popular haunt – once a medieval friary complex, now a cultural venue and conference center.
Discover the secrets of the city with a visit to Norwich Museum. From the textile trade to wartime life, uncover the past through the stories and experiences of real Norwich locals.
Fun for all the family
One of England’s grandest Palladian houses is Houghton Hall, found just outside the city. Stroll through five acres of walled garden and admire opulent rooms, perfectly preserved since the 1720s when they were built for Britain’s first Prime Minister. The grand facade, complete with Ionic columns and regal domes, is a marvel to see from the sprawling grounds.
Youngsters will love the Thursford Collection in the nearby village of Thursford. Featuring the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs, this private collection was opened to the public in the 19th century and has been a beloved attraction for families ever since. Take a ride on the collection of old fairground machines and listen to live organ performances.
Drift down the Broads
Norwich is the perfect place to explore the famous Broads. Winding waterways fringed with thick reeds and dotted with old windmills offer the perfect day out. Take a day boat down the relaxing broads and explore more than 190 miles of walking trails, speckled magenta with flowering primulas.
Families will enjoy a trip to BeWILDerwood, an adventure park in the Norfolk Broads just half an hour’s drive from the city. Adventure lies around every tree trunk, with a maze of fantastical places, fun activities and wooden treehouses just waiting to be explored.
Discover the ancient city, stately homes and sprawling wetlands of Norwich along with the surrounding Norfolk region with a rental car from Hertz.