10 Unmissable Things To Do in Norwich, UK

We capped off our Summer Tour of England with a long stay in Norwich, a place that far exceeded our expectations.

Situated in Norfolk, East Anglia, Norwich is a well-preserved medieval city that still has many stories to tell.

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It dazzled us with its ancient architecture, gorgeous green spaces and local flavors. The more we saw, the more we were smitten (and we saw a lot!).

To be honest, we were a bit surprised by the sheer number of things to do in Norwich. Considered one of England’s ‘small cities,’ it makes a big impression!

Best Things To Do in Norwich, England

A lesser-known gem, Norwich is a place you can really sink into if you have the time – and we are definitely glad we did.

That said, whether you are just passing through or are staying for a few days, you can use our list of the essential Norwich things to do!

#1 Explore the Medieval Streets of Norwich

Highly touted as the most complete medieval city in Britain, Norwich is an absolutely charming place to explore.

We never tired of wandering along the inviting cobblestone lanes lined with half-timbered houses and classic streetlamps.

Elm Hill is the crown jewel of these atmospheric streets. The curving lane retains the same look as it did when it was built in the 1500s.

Princes Street – which runs parallel to Elm Hill – is another one of our favorites. That said, we really enjoyed getting lost in the web of streets in the Norwich Lanes district.

We outline where to go and the best places to see in our Free, Self-Guided Norwich Walking Tour.

#2 Step inside Ancient Norwich Churches

When planning what to do in Norwich, UK, do not sidestep the historic places of worship. They are a lasting piece of the city’s time-worn puzzle.

During the thriving wool trade – when Norwich hailed as England’s ‘Second City’ – an astounding 58 parish churches dotted the landscape. Today, 31 of those magnificent buildings survive.

Not to be missed is the remarkable Norwich Cathedral. With more than 1,000 years of history, it features one of the tallest spires and largest cloisters in all of England.

We returned here time and again to take in its soaring ceiling and intriguing relics (and even caught an impromptu organ recital).

The city center St. Peter Mancroft is another must-see church. Boasting brilliant stained-glass windows and extravagant woodworks, it offers a moment of serenity in the bustling center.

Built at the turn of the 20th century, the Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is relatively new. The sheer size and intricate design of this Victorian Gothic Revival church is truly impressive.

St. Julian’s can trace its history to the 11th century and has ties to Lady Julian of Norwich. She wrote the first known book in English by a woman, Revelations of Divine Love.

While these are a few of our favorites, we suggest stepping inside any of the many historic churches in Norwich. We doubt you will be disappointed!

#3 Hoist a Pint of Real Ale

Norwich – and the broader region of Norfolk – is steeped in beer brewing traditions. With loads of local barley and heaps of independent pubs, the city relishes its prominence in the cask ale industry.

The recent surge of craft cask beer is also embraced. It’s typical to see a lineup of regional microbreweries served right alongside recognizable national brands.

Unlike keg beer, cask ale – or real ale – is naturally carbonated, unfiltered, unpasteurized and typically served at cellar temperature. Instead of pouring from a tap, it’s pulled from a handpump.

It’s quintessentially British to drink a cask-conditioned ale and Norwich is a prime place to do it!

For a beer with a side of history, go to Adam and Eve (proudly proclaiming to ‘probably be the oldest pub in Norwich’) or The Murderers (which comes complete with a savage tale).

That said, we’d be surprised if there is a pub in the city that doesn’t pour real ale – so pop into any place that snares your interest.

#4 Wind along the River Wensum

The Wensum River has played a vital role in the history of Norwich. First as a source of water, then it was used for transporting goods and later to run mills associated with the city’s booming textile industry.

Today, it’s an important ecosystem for the area’s wildlife and a place of recreation for locals and visitors. Remains from the past also stand along the waterway.

Among them, Pull’s Ferry, the Cow Tower and Quayside are must-see Norwich attractions. Additionally, you can glimpse parts of the former city walls and converted mills.

There are two fabulous ways to experience the river: Walking beside it or boating on it.

A pedestrian path follows the curve of the river passing by several top sights. If you want to get out on the water, kayaks, canoes and SUPs are available for rent near the Foundry and Fye bridges.

#5 Feast at the Norwich Market

We love when history and food collide – and nowhere in Norwich is that more apparent than at the central market.

For more than 1,000 years this thriving marketplace has been at the heart of local trade. It also ranks as one of England’s largest and oldest markets.

While that enthralling background is reason enough to visit this spectacular spot, it was the food offerings that kept us returning time and time again!

From classic Fish and Chips to fantastic foreign fare to delectable sweet treats, the vendors here dole out a superb selection of lunchtime eats.

We highlight our top picks (and more places to eat) in our round up of the Best Restaurants in Norwich.

#6 Shop for Curiosities

Boasting boutique shopping lanes (like the fabulous Royal Arcade) and iconic stores (like family-run Jarrolds), Norwich has long been a destination for retail therapy.

What most intrigued us, however, were the shops selling antiques, old books and captivating curiosities.

We seldom passed an opportunity to wander into dusty bookshops (like Dormouse on Elm Hill and Tombland Bookshop near the cathedral) or the second-hand stores tucked into the Norwich Lanes enclave.

That said, we believe one of the most unique Norwich, UK thing to do is to peruse the bewildering bric-a-brac at the church-turned-antique-bazaars, like St Gregory’s Antiques or All Saints Antiques Centre.

Oddities line shelves where parishioners once prayed and side altars are stacked with records, jewelry, throwback clothing and age-old trinkets. It’s a beguiling shopping experience!

#7 Discover Norwich Museums

With so much amazing history, it’s not surprising that Norwich is home to a number of marvelous museums.

Of the institutions we visited, we most enjoyed the displays at the Museum of Norwich at Bridewell.

Housed in a former residence-turned prison-turned factory, the museum engagingly swept us through hundreds of years of tales.

We were also fascinated by the excellent preservation of Strangers’ Hall Museum. The 14th century Tudor home reveals what domestic life here would have been like in the Middle Ages.

The Norwich Castle Museum – one of the city’s top tourist attractions – is a massive cultural space that hosts an array of collections, from masterpiece paintings to taxidermized animals.

The South Asia Collection Museum is housed in an old skating rink and consists of more than 10,000 objects. We thought it was worth our short visit (especially since it’s one of free things to do in Norwich!)

During our trip, we never made it to the Sainsbury Centre. The pay-what-you-wish modern art museum is situated on the University of East Anglia campus and is renowned for its collection of artwork and artifacts.

#8 Experience the Green Spaces

Although the Norwich city center was long ago paved with cobbled stones, there are remaining pockets of green space just beyond the Old Town.

When we were craving a change of scenery, we aimed for the forested parks where we could immerse ourselves in the great outdoors.

Mousehold Heath is a local nature reserve that has served the city for more than a millennium. Once utilized for its natural resources, we found it to be the perfect place to stretch our legs.

Nearby, Kett’s Heights is another elevated perch that’s still somewhat of a local secret and a wonderful spot for a picnic. It features a terraced garden with viewpoints – as well as traces from Kett’s Rebellion.

A bit further away, Whitlingham Country Park is an ideal escape on sunny days. A flat walking trail encircles Whitlingham Great Broad (which is a splendid place for bird spotting).

Lion Wood has rustic trails that are popular with local dog walkers – and just across Telegraph Lane is the historic Rosary Cemetery, a Norwich hidden gem.

An enthralling mashup of eerie gravestones, thriving wildlife and leaf carpeted paths, we regularly wandered the 19th century burial grounds where some of the city’s most affluent citizens are interred.

#9 Go Boating in the Norfolk Broads

If you are lucky enough to be visiting Norwich for more than a day, then delving into The Broads is a must!

An astounding network of placid lakes and meandering rivers, The Broads stretch from Norwich east to Great Yarmouth on the coast.

The wetlands developed during the Middle Ages when peat was excavated from the region. Today, the aqueous landscape is a haven for anglers, birdwatchers and boaters.

In fact, one of the very best things to do around Norwich is to rent a boat and take a self-guided cruise!

To explore the Northern Broads by boat, the best starting point is Wroxham. Considered to be the ‘Capital of the Broads,’ numerous companies rent watercraft for tours. The town can be reached from Norwich by train or bus.

Alternatively, the Southern Broads are also easily accessible from Norwich – and it’s the area we opted to discover. The quiet waterways are more rural and better for spotting wildlife.

We booked an electric vessel with Boat Hire Norwich on the River Yare in Thorpe St Andrew and headed downstream to Brundall.

As we silently sailed along, we spotted countless swans, dozens of herons and two kingfishers. It’s also possible to go upstream and navigate the Wensum into central Norwich.

#10 Lace Up your Shoes for a Hike

Hands down, one of the best things to do near Norwich is to take a nature walk through the countryside.

The region is ripe with long-distance trails that are easily sectioned for epic day hikes. We embarked on two such adventures; hiking the Bure Valley Path and a section of the Wherryman’s Way.

Bure Valley Walk

The Bure Valley trek is a flat, 9-mile walk between Aylsham and Wroxham. The entire stretch follows the historic Bure Valley Railway, which is an active narrow gauge steam train route.

For us, the highlights were watching the steam-puffing trains chug by, picking wild berries and sipping a celebratory end-of-hike beer at the waterfront King’s Head in Wroxham.

Wherryman’s Way Trek

Wherryman’s Way is a 35-mile hike through the beautiful Broads from Norwich to Great Yarmouth. Following the Yare River, it’s named for the boatmen who once transported goods along the route.

Rather than tackle the entire trail, we hiked the 6-mile section from Berney Arms to Reedham.

Starting with a ride to the ‘Train Station in the Middle of Nowhere,’ the trail took us past incredible windmills, through pastures and alongside the river.

In Reedham, we visited the local brewery and then settled in at The Ship pub, where we had an up close view of the early 20th century Reedham Railway Swing Bridge.

In the end, this unique experience turned out to be one of our favorite days in Norwich, UK!

Norwich Travel Tips

Now that you know the best things to do Norwich, UK, we have some honest advice to help make your visit more enjoyable!

How To Get There

The best way to get to Norwich from London is by train. Multiple services operated by Greater Anglia depart daily.

The direct route from London Liverpool Street is less than 2 hours. From King’s Cross it will take about 2.5 hours (and requires a change).

The journey by bus from London to Norwich can be less than 3 hours, but is typically much longer. Check train schedules with National Rail or – or for cheaper coach fares, use FlixBus.

Where To Stay in Norwich

Petsitting is what brought us to Norwich, so we didn’t need to book accommodation. That said, we do have a few suggestions for Norwich hotels – as we scouted out a few places for next time!

The Maid’s Head is a storied hotel in Norwich that claims to be the oldest in the UK. Adjacent to the Norwich Cathedral in one of the oldest parts of the city, the prime location means sightseeing is just steps away.

The Assembly House is a posh boutique property situated in a 18th century Georgian building. The rooms are warm and welcoming – like staying at a cozy country house.

For a budget stay near the train station, the Holiday Inn offers clean and comfortable rooms at affordable rates.

What To Pack

Make sure you are properly prepared for your trip to Norwich by bringing along these important items!

Comfortable Shoes

With cobbled lanes and enticing walking trails, you will need a good pair of travel shoes that are both lightweight and durable. I wear these everyday trainers and Kris prefers these trail shoes.

Weather Gear

It’s England, so don’t forget to pack your favorite raincoat and a travel umbrella! Oh, and sunscreen is a good idea in the summertime – as Norwich abounds with outdoor activities.

Travel Camera

We captured the sights with a DSLR Canon Rebel on our Norwich trip. Not only is it easy to use, but it’s an affordable camera for travelers, too.

Day Pack

With long days of sightseeing, you will want to carry a travel day bag that is big enough to stow everything you will need for your explorations. We like these small backpacks.

Travel Insurance

If you’re planning an overnight in Norwich (or a longer European Vacation), you might want to book trip coverage. Plans change and things can go wrong – and a solid policy can help recoup costs.

Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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