Norwich Castle Museum
Norwich Lanes
Museum of Norwich
Elm Hill
Norwich Cathedral
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
Until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was one of the most prosperous cities in England. Set amid rich agricultural land it rose to prominence in the Middle Ages as a market and trading centre, growing rich on its trade of worsted cloth. Tradition has it that the city had a pub for each day of the year and a church for every Sunday. There were in fact 700 pubs in medieval times, down to around 140 today and declining. Evidence of its former prosperity can be seen in the 32 medieval churches and many historic houses dotted around the city.
Norwich also has a large and colourful market, some great little shops, no shortage of excellent cafés and restaurants and a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere.
Market Place and Norwich Castle.
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
Norwich Castle
The city’s gaunt Castle 1 [map] stands high up on a grassy mound above the city centre. It was built as a royal palace but became the county gaol in 1220 and remained so for 650 years until it was bought by the city for conversion to a museum. The Keep, which is all that remains of the original castle, was refaced in 1834 – hence the newer-than-Norman look. The battlements and dungeons can be visited on guided tours (additional charge). The Keep is due to receive a major revamp in 2018, which will see it restored to its former glories by reinstating the Norman floor and recreating Henry I’s royal palace, to be completed by 2020.
Castle Museum and Art Gallery
Converted from the old prison blocks, the excellent Castle Museum and Art Gallery (tel: 01603-493 625; www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk; July–Sept Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm, Oct–June Mon–Sat 10am–4.30pm, Sun 1–4.30pm) offers a combination of fine art, natural history, archaeology and history. The remarkable array of galleries covers everything from Egyptian and Viking history to the world’s largest collection of ceramic teapots. The highlight is the art gallery, with an outstanding collection of paintings by the Norwich School (1803–33), a group of landscape painters who drew their inspiration from the Norfolk scenery. The leading figures were John Crome and John Sell Cotman.
The Royal Arcade.
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
The Royal Arcade
At the castle exit turn right, then right again down the steps, crossing the main road for the Royal Arcade 2 [map] a beautiful Art Nouveau thoroughfare.
Market Place
At the end of the arcade you come to the Market 3 [map] (Mon–Sat 8.30am–5.30pm), which has been held here for over 900 years. It is one of the largest open markets in Britain, with over 190 tightly-packed stalls selling everything from flowers, fresh cockles and Cromer crabs to cheap clothes and household goods. Food options are abundant: fish and chips, kebabs, take-away Thai food, mushy peas or stuffed Cromer crabs.
There’s plenty for children to do in Norwich, starting with the more obvious museums, which also cater for kids’ special events, including dressing up. Check the website for Norwich Castle, Bridewell and Strangers’ Hall (www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk). The Norwich Puppet Theatre (www.puppettheatre.co.uk) hosts individual and family workshops, activities and events, plus regular shows. For families who enjoy walking, try the self-guided Curious About Norwich walks (www.curiousabout.co.uk), or for the brave hearted, an evening ghost walk (www.ghostwalksnorwich.co.uk) – be prepared for blood and gore and an encounter with the ‘Man in Black’.
On the far side, looms the massive City Hall (1938) with its soaring tower; to the right is the 15th-century Guildhall, a fine example of the flintwork for which the city is famous, and to the left, with its tower dominating the city centre, the large perpendicular Church of St Peter Mancroft 4 [map] (Mon–Sat 10am–4pm, winter until 3.30pm, Sun during services only; free). The finest of the city’s medieval churches, it has a light and lofty interior with a hammerbeam roof and notable stained glass in the east window depicting the lives of the saints and scenes from the New Testament.
The Forum
In stark contrast to the church is the modern glass-fronted Forum 5 [map] (www.theforumnorwich.co.uk) right opposite, built on the site of the old Norwich Central Library which burnt down in 1995. This horseshoe-shaped building encompasses the regional library, the tourist office, BBC East offices, Fusion (a digital screen gallery), as well as shops and a café. Inevitably controversial when it was built in the heart of the historic city, the Forum has nevertheless become a buzzing centre where people meet or gather in the outdoor plaza to watch amateur performances or free screenings of major sporting events and cinema classics.
Alley leading to the Church of St John Maddermarket.
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
Pottergate
Cross the square and take Lower Goat Lane behind the Guild Hall, which takes you down to Pottergate. The alleys here and to the east, across Exchange Street, are known as the Norwich Lanes 6 [map] , a lively shopping area with enticing little independent outlets and cafés within lovely old buildings. Turn left at Pottergate and cross into the small square with the flint-faced Church of St Gregory, whi...