Norwich Cathedral, a historical day out in Norwich

‘What a grand, higgledy-piggledy, sensible old place Norwich is!’ - JB Priestley

Yes, Norwich is a wonderfully historic place, an ancient city that lies at the heart of rural East Anglia. It was the Anglo Saxons who first made their homes beside the river Wensum, and it was from one of these settlements, which bore the name Northwic, that the city got its name. The settlement grew and grew and merged with others to become the largest walled town in medieval England.

Because of this rich history, there are lots of fantastic medieval buildings and streets to explore, making it a perfect day out. Enjoy the sights, architecture and artisan cafes along the way and go back in time to find out more about this quaint and higgledy-piggledy city, Norwich.

We have put a guide together below on the best historic places to visit, how you can best spend your day in Norwich, along with information and prices to help you start exploring.

Morning

Start your day by visiting one of these excellent historic buildings: Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, Norwich Castle or Norwich Cathedral. All of which are a site to behold, so why not start your day earlier and get a couple of these in before lunch. Top tip: Bring along some comfy footwear and an umbrella to ensure you are equipped for all weather conditions and terrains!

Norwich Museums

Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell

From Medieval to modern day, the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell tells the story of Norwich’s industries and the people who lived and worked here.

From the textile trade which was at the heart of the city’s wealth, to the production of shoes, chocolate and mustard, the story of how Norwich constantly adapted to changing fortunes is told in ten galleries over two floors.

Fascinating objects are cleverly bought to life with plenty of chances to get hands-on, audio diaries, and archive film in a recreated cinema.

Find out more details - Price: £6.20 per adult

Norwich Castle

One of the city’s most famous landmarks, Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. Now a museum and art gallery, it is home to some of the most outstanding collections of fine art, archaeology and natural history. Norwich Castle is packed with treasures to inspire and intrigue visitors of all ages. In the magnificent Norman keep, models, computers, sound and video bring history vividly to life.

The castle has exhibitions to look around, activities for children and families, workshops and courses for adults and guided tours of the castle. There’s a pop up cafe for those needed a drink or a quick bite to eat on the go.

Find out more details - Price: Adults from £6.20

Norwich Cathedral

Norwich’s Norman Cathedral is one of the city’s iconic buildings, dominating the skyline with a 315ft spire that is second in height only to Salisbury.

Work started on Norwich Cathedral in 1096 using Caen stone from France. It took 54 years to complete. Norwich Cathedral has the second highest spire in the country – after Salisbury – and has the largest monastic cloisters. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe.

Make sure you see the treasured Despenser Retable behind the altar of St Luke’s chapel. It’s a 14th century painting that depicts the death and resurrection of Christ. It went missing during the Puritan days of the 16th century and was only rediscovered in 1847 when someone dropped something on the floor and looked up at the bottom of a table – the painting had been nailed face down to hide it!

As you approach the main gate from Tombland you’ll notice the statue of Edith Cavell, a nurse from nearby Swardeston who was shot by the Germans during the first world war for helping Allied prisoners escape from Brussels. She is now buried inside the cathedral precinct.

The cathedral offers virtual and in person tours, events and exhibitions, school visits available and a gift shop. (More on the cafe below).

Find out more details - Price: Free entry

Lunch

Now, at this point you may be feeling very peckish after all that walking, so why not rest your feed and head to a local lunch spot. You can choose from the cafes at the Cathedral or head to St Benedict’s Street for an indie lunch! Our favourite is the Bicycle Shop, but we have included three our our favourite cafe spots across Norwich.

Cafe at Norwich Cathedral

Cafe at the Cathedral, a lunch spot for a historical day out in Norwich

Imagine enjoying some of the foods you love at Jarrold in the magnificent splendour of Norwich Cathedral. From sandwiches and soups, and main meals, to coffee, cake, and the famous Jarrold scone, they are bringing all this and more to make the Café at the Cathedral a real experience as well as eco-friendly!

They source ingredients from local suppliers and producers where possible, and the food and drink offering at the Cathedral will also reflect this. There’s fresh bread delivered daily to the Refectory from their in-store bakery at Jarrold by bicycle from zero emissions delivery service Zedify. They have a great selection of sandwiches, salads, deli bar, patisserie and even delicious puddings to indulge in after if you have room!

Find out more details - Price: Coffee from £2.30

The Bicycle Shop

The Bicycle Shop began in 2009 on St Benedicts Street - the heart of The Norwich Lanes. Their name references the history of the building as a bicycle sale and repair shop for 82 years. From morning until late at night, they operate on three floors filled with art, plants and mismatched furniture. They have created an environment that you'll love to linger in.

Find out more details - Price: New reduced menu - call to enquire

Alchemista Coffee Co

Alchemista coffee shop, a lunch spot during a historical day out in Norwich

Alchemista is an artisan coffee shop and have a real passion for great coffee and attention to detail; a place for real coffee enthusiasts. They even provide cocktails for those of you who fancy a cheeky drink on your day out! They have a wonderful and famous afternoon tea menu - both traditional and vegan options for those who have a. sweet tooth. They freshly prepare their sandwich selection every day and only use the best local ingredients. You’ll find a range of delicious fillings, from well-known classics to exotic new takes and flavours from Southeast Asia.

Find out more details - Price: From £3 for coffee upwards

Afternoon

In the afternoon, you can explore the city of Norwich’s historic pattern of streets with hidden alleys, courts and lanes. Why not download the Norwich Nooks and Crannies guidebook before you head off (or grab a paper copy from the tourist information) with a choice of three walks to enjoy.

Explore Norwich’s historic streets

Norwich has long been renowned for its many churches and beautiful houses and gardens, but its ancient streets, still retaining much of their early character, are equally notable and something to behold. Princes Street is one such 'piece of picturesque Norwich', and it has been beautifully restored so the masses can enjoy the architectural mastery. Many of the buildings are from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, blended with modern offices and homes. Find out more about these streets.

Find out more details - Price: Free

When you have finished your day of soaking up Norwich’s history, why not enjoy an unforgettable glamping experience in a Cabin in Norfolk at Round The Woods? Put your feet up and light the campfire so you can enjoy the night sky and toasted marshmallows. Add on a sauna experience to warm up those bones after a chilly Autumn day? Find out more here!

A Historical Day Out in Norwich