8 Best Things to Do in Norwich on a Day Trip

Visiting Norwich soon? Here are 8 of the best things to do in Norwich on a day trip.

Norwich is a great city to visit as a day trip from London. And whilst it’s certainly not the most popular city to visit in the UK, I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful it is, how many bookshops there are, and what good food there is.

If you’re a history buff, then you’ll be in your element in Norwich as it’s a city brimming with medieval charm and architecture. You can explore the grandeur of Norwich Cathedral and Norwich Castle, which offer a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past.

But Norwich isn’t just a historical city, it’s also a thriving hub of creativity. You can lose yourself in the enchanting Norwich Lanes, where you’ll discover an array of independent boutiques and charming cafes. Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, which houses an impressive and beautiful art collection.

Norwich’s bustling market is great for foodies too. There’s a huge range of street food stalls here and you can try local produce as well as foreign cuisines. Or for sit-down meals, there’s the Royal Arcades’ food hall with six independent eateries to choose from.

And did you know the Colman’s mustard is actually Colman’s of Norwich? So there’s no better place for traditional British fare slathered in mustard.

Nature lovers can rejoice too! Surrounding Norwich, there’s so much picturesque countryside, perfect for leisurely and serene walks. You can explore the tranquil riverbanks or venture into nearby woodlands to reconnect with nature and recharge your soul.

With its rich history, vibrant arts scene, great eateries, and natural beauty, Norwich has something for everyone.

8 Best Things to Do in Norwich

Have afternoon tea at Assembly House

If you’re exploring the lovely city of Norwich on a day trip, you must make a stop at Assembly House for afternoon tea.

The Assembly House dining room is a gorgeous Georgian gem in the heart of Norwich and you’ll feel as though you’re living in a Jane Austen novel. The setting alone makes this hotel worth a visit, with interiors that exude a certain old-world charm.

The afternoon tea itself is themed with Assembly House mixing up the theme regularly. When I visited, we were treated to a seaside/mermaid theme, but today you can enjoy a Peter Pan themed afternoon tea.

There’s a mouthwatering assortment of dainty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and an array of delectable desserts – all on theme, all delicious.

The dining room at Assembly House must be the most beautiful and luxurious room in all of Norwich, so it’s not one to miss!

Price: The classic afternoon tea costs £29.50pp and children’s afternoon teas costs £17.95
Address: The Assembly House, Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RQ
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3:30pm 
Website: www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk/afternoon-tea

Browse Norwich’s bookshops

What really surprised me about Norwich is how much literary history there is and how many bookshops there are within a very small radius.

Norwich was actually UNESCO’s very first city of literature and is home to over 10 bookshops.

This means that browsing Norwich’s independent bookshops is actually one of the best things to do in Norwich!

READ MORE: 12 Best Norwich Bookshops

The most iconic Norwich bookshop is The Book Hive (pictured), with its gorgeous rounded and mint-coloured exterior.

This bookshop prides itself on its unique methods of curating the books on offer.

Instead of grouping books by genre or A-Z, books are grouped according to what the staff think will go well together.

Special curation like this is why we need to shop at independent bookshops as much as possible!

Walk along the River Wensum

If you need to rest and recharge, then a serene stroll along the enchanting River Wensum is in order. Picture this: meandering pathways, lush greenery, and the soothing sound of flowing water – pure magic!

A leisurely walk along Norwich’s riverbank is an absolute must for nature lovers and city explorers alike. This picturesque walk goes past Pull’s Ferry (pictured) and Cow’s Tower, which seem like buildings straight out of a fairytale.

The charming architecture, calming waters and (if you’re lucky!) graceful swans create a simply enchanting ambience. It’s the perfect opportunity to capture some Insta-worthy shots or simply enjoy a peaceful moment.

It’s hard to believe when walking along the River Wensum that you’re just moments away from a city!

Along the way, there are some delightful riverside cafés and pubs where you can stop off for refreshments too.

Whether you’re seeking a moment of serenity or a scenic backdrop for a picnic, a walk along the River Wensum is one of the top things to do in Norwich on a day trip.

You can start the walk from near the forum in the centre of Norwich or at the train station.

Explore the shops in Norwich Royal Arcade

This beautiful and elegant Victorian-era arcade is a delight to visit and will make you feel like the fanciest lady or gentleman about town.

The architecture combines ornate ironwork with a stunning glass ceiling to create a stunning passageway. It’s a true indie shopper’s paradise, where history and retail therapy intertwine

The arcade is home to a diverse range of independent boutiques and speciality stores. From stylish fashion boutiques and artisanal food shops to a mini food hall, there is something for every shopper.

More recently, a two-story mini food hall has opened called Yalm (a word meaning “to eat hungrily” that originated in Norfolk).

Downstairs there’s a modern coffee shop and dessert bar, whilst upstairs there are 6 restaurants to choose from serving up ramen, tacos, pizza, steaks and more.

If you want to support local independent shops, then Norwich Royal Arcade is a great place to visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner and a spot of shopping.

Address: 8am – 6pm
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm Tuesday – Sunday; closed Mondays
Website: https://www.yalm.co.uk/

Visit the Castle Museum and Art Gallery

Nestled within the historic walls of Norwich Castle is the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, a treasure trove of small exhibits that, to be honest, I didn’t expect to find in such a small town.

The museum is housed in a large gallery complex converted from the City’s Victorian prison and boasts an impressive collection that spans several centuries. From Boudica and the Romans to local history and contemporary art, there’s lots to see and learn here.

I was particularly impressed by the art collection here – from fine and decorative to contemporary art, I loved wandering around this beautiful section of the gallery. Some notable artists featured include John Crome and John Sell Cotman.

What’s more, the castle offers amazing panoramic views of the city from the castle keep. It’s a picture-perfect moment that will make you appreciate how beautiful and historic Norwich is!

NB. The 900-year-old castle is currently undergoing redevelopment, but the museum and gallery are still open.

Address: Norwich Castle, Castle Street, Norwich NR1 3JU
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday; 1pm – 5pm Sundays
Website: www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle/plan-your-visit

Stop for coffee at Bread Source

Norwich is home to many independent coffee shops, which are perfect for a mid-afternoon pick me up after lots of exploring.

Not only was Bread Source named Norfolk’s best bakery in 2021, but the bakers themselves are also award winners.

I’d highly recommend the doughnuts (often with seasonal flavours) and the raspberry and pistachio danish. Divine!

You can pick up a coffee and pastry to take away or enjoy your goodies inside.

The interiors are simple but there are some lovely window seats from which you can people watch as you sip on your coffee.

Address: 20 Bridewell Alley, Norwich NR2 1AQ
Opening Hours: 8am-5pm Monday – Saturday; 9am-4pm Sunday
Website: www.bread-source.co.uk

Visit Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece and iconic landmark in the city that dates back to 1096. As soon as you step in, you’ll be wowed by soaring ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful stained glass windows that illuminate the space. Simply put – they don’t make them like this anymore.

Admission is free and you’re free to wander around the cathedral and its cloisters at your leisure.

If you want to find out more about Norwich and its history, then I’d highly recommend you join a free guided tour, which runs several times a day. The free tour is excellent and gives you a fascinating insight into this 900-year-old building as you walk around its ancient architecture.

From the remarkable cloisters (the second largest in England!) to the elegant Lady Chapel, each nook and cranny holds its own story.

Norwich Cathedral is also the regular host of events, such as concerts and art exhibitions, so it’s worth seeing what’s on when you visit.

I was gutted to miss out on a tour of Norwich Cathedral Library when I was there, but these run once a month and will take you into the historic library above the cloisters with printed books dating from 1474! Find out more about Norwich library tours here.

Address: 65 The Close, Norwich NR1 4DH
Opening Hours: 7:30am to 6:30pm every day
Website: https://cathedral.org.uk/

Visit Norwich Market

Norwich Market is one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in England with a whopping 189 colourful stalls open from Monday to Saturday.

There’s a mix of pretty much everything here and you could easily waste a few hours weaving through all the stalls and browsing what’s on offer. From music to wine, clothes or flowers, there’s so much to look at here.

If you’re looking for a quick lunch to go then there are plenty of stalls here serving up both hot and cold options from sandwiches to fish and chips. Or if you’re just looking for a little pick me up then there are ice cream and dessert stalls.

The market is organised in a closed grid system and I’d recommend just tackling this row by row so you don’t miss anything. My usual strategy with markets such as this is to walk past everything once and then walk through again to see if there’s any food or trinkets that I really want to buy.

For Norwich Market’s highlights, check out Visit Norwich’s guide to the market’s best stalls.

Whilst modern and colourful now, this market was actually founded in the late eleventh century to supply Norman merchants and settlers moving to the area following the Norman conquest of England. So this market is a slice of Norwich history too!

Address: 1 Market Place, Norwich NR2 1ND
Website: https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/article/a-guide-to-norwich-market/

Things to do in Norwich that I didn’t get the chance to experience but look quite interesting include:

Visit Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

Visit Norwich Museum

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