Location: Norwich
Top Things to do in Norwich
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Norwich, England
Norwich boasts museums spanning a ten centuries of history as well as a renovated city center with a pleasant pedestrian area lined with modern businesses and thriving nightlife. With two colleges, both with renowned art and writing programs, travelers will also step into a vibrant cultural scene. Tourist sites, dubbed the Norwich 12, include the historical Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral and City Hall, as well as the newer library and the glass Forum which hosts events from opera to skating.
Restaurants in Norwich
1. RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 451 reviews
Currently the Museum is closed due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Please check our website for any possible opening dates for 2020.
Reviewed By timlm222 - Norfolk, United Kingdom
Fabulous exhibits which are well spaced out. The volunteers are very informative and keen to pass on their knowledge. Give yourself plenty of time for your visit as there is so much to see! The Tea Shop fits its surroundings perfectly. Its a hidden gem.
2. Surrey House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Romnarz - London, United Kingdom
So pleased to find the public are allowed inside this amazing building - built around 1900 it seems like a much older palace. Three is a very informative leaflet about all the origins of the various marble in the building. I understand that that some additional rooms are open to the public in September
3. The South Asia Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
The South Asia Collection museum, located in the heart of Norwich, is dedicated to recording, conserving and promoting the traditional arts, crafts and cultures of India and Pakistan, and adjacent countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia and Central Asia.
Reviewed By Romnarz - London, United Kingdom
An unexpected display of Far East culture all free. Very informative display and a wide selection of furniture, prints and other artefacts .There are some goods for sale , it’s rare to find anywhere that has so many Beautiful things to chose. Yuo will find it hard to leave without buying something. We came back within minutes to buy more !
4. Forncett Industrial Steam Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
See 14 awe inspiring steam engines working in full steam including the engine that used to open Tower Bridge. Come and visit on a Steam Day, first Sunday in month May to October when everything is running and you can also enjoy home made cakes and hot pork rolls .The whole collection is available to view static every Wednesday and Sunday through the year. All info on our web site.
5. Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
The Museum is currently closed and we hope to reopen our doors as soon as it is safe to do so. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Reviewed By DramaQueen55 - Woking, United Kingdom
This museum contains a wealth of interesting exhibits and offers an insight into the history of the city, the industries that people worked in, and the lives that they led. The lady on the reception desk gave us a detailed and helpful explanation of the layout of the museum, the artefacts on display had clear and concise descriptions, and the interactive elements worked well. Definitely worth a visit.
6. Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
If you have never visited the Cathedral of St John the Baptist – now’s the time! The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is the second largest Catholic Cathedral in the UK. After nearly a century as the parish church of the Catholic community in Norwich it became the mother church of the new diocese of East Anglia in 1976. Now a Grade 1 listed building, its external grandeur and magnificent interior, especially the fine stonework and beautiful stained glass, make it well worth a visit for those interested in religious, spiritual or architectural history. You can even take tours up the tower, and see the wonderful views of Norwich and beyond. Since the opening of the Narthex in May 2010, the Cathedral also has an education gallery, a shop, a refectory and a community garden. Not only is the Cathedral an inspiring setting, but it is also a wonderful place to relax. Open seven days a week – 7.30am – 7.30pm. Entrance is FREE. Part of Norwich 12 - an initiative of Norwich Heritage, Economic & Regeneration Trust.
Reviewed By Henryka
A short walk out of the town centre but worth the visit. A good introduction to the Catholic faith in the entrance lobby. The Cathedral itself is in excellent condition and hard to believe it's only 100 years old. Built in the traditional Gothic style.
7. Sewell Barn Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
8. Felbrigg Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,448 reviews
Reviewed By 827JohnC - Wisbech, United Kingdom
In Cromer last Sunday with my wife, who was there to play bowls, which I declined to spectate (Watching grass grow without the excitement of watching paint dry!) Just nipped down the road to Felbrigg Hall, ample car parking, very near to reception and close to the hall. Good welcome from reception team, and excellent directions, not really time to visit the estate, so straight to the Hall, and a warm welcome from the volunteers on duty. Pleasant amble with the usual high standard of information available from the Room Stewards, a fascinating house, well worth a visit. A few days ago a winger left derogatory feed back because he objected to the fee structure, well he is of course welcome to his opinion, but really..... Adult Membership of the National Trust is £6 a month, for that you get free unlimited access to all the NT properties, that my friend is a BARGAIN!
9. Norwich Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,233 reviews
Built as a Norman Royal Palace and once a prison, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is packed with treasures, including fabulous fine art, archaeology, and natural history. During 2020 and 2021 construction work will be underway on the exciting Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn project to transform the Castle’s Norman Keep. During these works some areas of the Castle are not accessible and this includes the main Castle Keep.
Reviewed By Sunshine25580300779 - York, United Kingdom
Fascinating visit on a wet dreary autumn day. Art gallery very good with excellent audio visuals. Historical display rooms surpassed excellent with audio visuals and commentary especially enjoyed Anglo Saxon display. Don’t miss visiting. Staff very pleasant too.
10. Norwich Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,926 reviews
“Norfolk’s favourite building”Founded in 1096 and built using Normandy stone shipped from Caen, Norwich Cathedral is set in the 44 acre Cathedral Close, a peaceful city centre sanctuary.The Cathedral itself is one of the finest complete Romanesque buildings in Europe, with the highest Norman tower and largest monastic cloisters in England. Inside, the Cathedral tells almost 1000 years of history, with our enthusiastic volunteers on hand to talk you through the incredible stories of its past.There is more to see at Norwich Cathedral than you think. Our award-winning 21st century Refectory restaurant is open seven days a week, as is the Hostry which features a rolling programme of exhibitions, many of them featuring local artists.You can also experience the tranquillity of our expansive Library, Herb Garden or Japanese Garden, as well as guided tours of the building throughout the week.Afterwards, feel free to explore the lanes of the Cathedral Close, a quaint village just minutes from the bustling city centre, and stop for a picnic on one of our many well kept greens. Norwich Cathedral is a living centre for worship, learning and hospitality, extending a warm welcome to all our visitors from Norfolk and beyond.Part of the Norwich 12 - An initiative of Norwich Heritage, Economic & Regeneration Trust.
Reviewed By rickw73 - Sevenoaks, United Kingdom
Where to begin?! I am a cathedral lover but had forgotten how special Norwich is. Boasting the largest cathedral close in England, the essentially Norman building is topped by a later, but most elegant spire. Strolling around the exterior gave glorious views across fields. I walked in at 7.30am to find the building deserted but bathed in wonderful summer sunshine. I watched peregrine falcons soar from the spire over the nave, I gawped at the 1380 dated reredos with its detailed painting and interesting political, as well as religious, story, and I gazed at the delightful and humorous roof bosses high over head -and the hidden misericords under choir stall seats. The cathedral also has some very good wall paintings which are well preserved (relatively) and worth taking time to see. Look out especially (in the south part of the nave) for the painting of the Bishop receiving money from King Rufus to buy his job! Stay as long as you can. And say a prayer there too! Did I mention the excellent small gift shop and the superb new refectory serving great food at reasonable prices? Wow! What a special place!
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