Famed for its Romanesque cathedral, Norwich is a beautifully preserved medieval city in the English county of Norfolk. Its city centre lies in a hairpin bend of the River Wensum, with engaging museums and magnificent gardens among its attractions. In 2012, Norwich was designated as England’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
Things to do in Norwich City Center
Dominating the city centre is Norwich Castle, which was constructed at the request of William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of England. After serving as a prison from the 13th to 19th centuries, it is home to the Norwich Castle Museum where you can get up close to vintage costumes, textiles and silverware. Paintings from the Norwich School are also on display, together with works by the 18th-century Flemish artist, Peter Tillemans.
You can learn about the city’s industrial past from the medieval period to the modern day at the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell. It features two floors of informational displays and hands-on exhibits, as well as archival film footage and audio diaries that help to bring the past to life.
On the edge of Norwich City Centre is Chapelfield Gardens, a picturesque green space with landscaped flower beds and a charming bandstand. Kids can let loose in the children’s playground or on the grassy lawns while parents relax on one of the many benches. Also nearby is the Plantation Garden with its Italianate terrace and Gothic fountain.
Getting around Norwich City Center
Norwich City Centre is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Cambridge and 2.5 hours from London. Heathrow Airport is also 2.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Norwich railway station and buses travel throughout the city centre. Most of the area’s attractions can be reached on foot.