Things to do in/around Norwich
October 14, 2012 2:08 AM Subscribe
My wife and I are going to Norwich next weekend. We'll spend four days there. What should we do? Challenge: we'll have our small dog, but she can stay in our hotel room for a few hours, while we tour stuff. We just can't go too far out that we'd have to leave her all day.
We'll be there Friday-Monday. We'll spend at least a day seeing the Castle, Cathedral(s), etc, and any general tips would be appreciated. Here are my more specific questions:
1. We'd want to spend a day in the Broads, walking around and *maybe* taking a boat. However, we'll have our dog. I can't find good information about exactly where our dog is allowed. Do you know of a nice place to hang out with our dog that is accessible from the city (walking or by train)?
2. Any restaurant recommendations (especially traditional English, Italian, or Indian)?
3. I figured we spend a day in the city, a day in the broads, and that leaves 1.5-2 days. What else should we do? (We're not shoppers)
4. Some of our problems would be alleviated if we could leave our dog with a sitter during the day. Does anyone have any recommendations of who they trust?
Yes, I did see this, and it was helpful.
We'll be there Friday-Monday. We'll spend at least a day seeing the Castle, Cathedral(s), etc, and any general tips would be appreciated. Here are my more specific questions:
1. We'd want to spend a day in the Broads, walking around and *maybe* taking a boat. However, we'll have our dog. I can't find good information about exactly where our dog is allowed. Do you know of a nice place to hang out with our dog that is accessible from the city (walking or by train)?
2. Any restaurant recommendations (especially traditional English, Italian, or Indian)?
3. I figured we spend a day in the city, a day in the broads, and that leaves 1.5-2 days. What else should we do? (We're not shoppers)
4. Some of our problems would be alleviated if we could leave our dog with a sitter during the day. Does anyone have any recommendations of who they trust?
Yes, I did see this, and it was helpful.
I only visited Norwich for the day, and as it happens we ate in the Spanish restaurant dumdumdum mentions - Don Pepe. Very nice, and right beside the cathedral.
Even if you don't like shopping, the Royal Arcade is a lovely Arts and Crafts building and well worth a look - the detailing of the tiles, lamps and so on is gorgeous. The Colman's Mustard shop/museum in the arcade is a bit twee but handy for little presents. We wanted to see inside the Dragon Hall but it has rather odd opening hours and was closed on a Saturday.
posted by Azara at 5:44 AM on October 14, 2012
Even if you don't like shopping, the Royal Arcade is a lovely Arts and Crafts building and well worth a look - the detailing of the tiles, lamps and so on is gorgeous. The Colman's Mustard shop/museum in the arcade is a bit twee but handy for little presents. We wanted to see inside the Dragon Hall but it has rather odd opening hours and was closed on a Saturday.
posted by Azara at 5:44 AM on October 14, 2012
You might enjoy a walk around Whitlingham Great Broad and a short trip on the Ra Solar Boat, which was recently relocated there. Whitlingham is right in Norwich's back yard - you could walk there.
If you make it as far as Reedham (easy by train), that's where I live. We've got the local brewery, which you are welcome to visit (the shop is open 12-5 on Saturdays). I think I am giving a tour next Saturday afternoon, even. Reedham has 3 pubs along the River Yare, which makes circular and figure-of-8 walks quite pleasant. I think all are dog-friendly.
Another spot for Broads exploring is Wroxham - you can get day boats or cruises there. The train goes to Hoveton & Wroxham, which is just outside of the village.
Norwich are at home to Arsenal next Saturday (IIRC, they play the evening fixture). Town will be busy that evening - probably full of locals drowing their sorrows (sad to say).
We are fans of Paolo's restaurant near the Market and City Hall - decent Italian in a nice setting.
Norwich has an excellent pub / real ale culture. In no particular order: Kings Head, Fat Cat, Murderers, Plough, Plasterers, Take 5, Vine, Playhouse, Cottage and many others. You can do a very satisfying pub crawl.
And Norwich is great for just wandering around and looking at the shops, the market, the Lanes.
posted by sagwalla at 6:53 AM on October 14, 2012
If you make it as far as Reedham (easy by train), that's where I live. We've got the local brewery, which you are welcome to visit (the shop is open 12-5 on Saturdays). I think I am giving a tour next Saturday afternoon, even. Reedham has 3 pubs along the River Yare, which makes circular and figure-of-8 walks quite pleasant. I think all are dog-friendly.
Another spot for Broads exploring is Wroxham - you can get day boats or cruises there. The train goes to Hoveton & Wroxham, which is just outside of the village.
Norwich are at home to Arsenal next Saturday (IIRC, they play the evening fixture). Town will be busy that evening - probably full of locals drowing their sorrows (sad to say).
We are fans of Paolo's restaurant near the Market and City Hall - decent Italian in a nice setting.
Norwich has an excellent pub / real ale culture. In no particular order: Kings Head, Fat Cat, Murderers, Plough, Plasterers, Take 5, Vine, Playhouse, Cottage and many others. You can do a very satisfying pub crawl.
And Norwich is great for just wandering around and looking at the shops, the market, the Lanes.
posted by sagwalla at 6:53 AM on October 14, 2012
2. I've visited Norwich briefly and ate at The Library . The food is pretty good and decor is definitely interesting.
posted by Erberus at 8:47 AM on October 14, 2012
posted by Erberus at 8:47 AM on October 14, 2012
I recommend this site for walking ideas for Norwich and Norfolk. As for pubs and food, there used to be a number of Indian restaurants on Prince of Wales Road (near the station), and good fish and chips from the market (lots of cultural ambiance!). I used to love the Adam and Eve pub near the cathedral (old architecture, low ceilings etc.) as well as anything along the river.
The city centre, with the cathedral, castle and old streets/buildings is beautiful, so even just having a wander round can be fun.
Another possibility is taking the train to Cromer and wandering around the seaside there. The North Norfolk coast has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but getting there without a car can be problematic.
Can't help with the dog - sorry. Although, as long as he's on a leash, most places should be OK.
posted by mukade at 8:53 AM on October 14, 2012
The city centre, with the cathedral, castle and old streets/buildings is beautiful, so even just having a wander round can be fun.
Another possibility is taking the train to Cromer and wandering around the seaside there. The North Norfolk coast has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but getting there without a car can be problematic.
Can't help with the dog - sorry. Although, as long as he's on a leash, most places should be OK.
posted by mukade at 8:53 AM on October 14, 2012
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1. I think the reasons why you can't find info is because private landowners that have a public footpath across their land have the right to disallow dogs (I might be wrong). However, everywhere I've been I've seen dog walkers - I guess it's common courtesy to bring a short lead in case you go walking near livestock. There's a crapton of nice towns a short train ride a way - Wymondham has a pretty Victorian train station, an abbey and a gorgeous repertory cinema.
2. There's a very trad but cute Spanish restaurant in Tombland called Don Pepe. I've heard good things about Trattoria Rustica but never went. There are lots of lovely pubs too, if you can get out to The Fat Cat it's well worth it, though I also loved the Ten Bells (last time I checked it had a pub dog). Most football fans head straight to Delia Smith's restaurant at the Canaries' ground.
3. If you can leave your dog for the day, Norwich has a brill wee arts scene; I recommend checking out Cinema City (the building as much as the cinema) and Norwich Arts Centre. The Sainsbury Centre on the UEA campus has a fab collection of modern and ancient art housed in an early Norman Foster building. Norwich also boasts the UK's only dedicated puppet theatre outside of London - it's brill!
4. Sorry, can't help you there.
posted by dumdidumdum at 2:43 AM on October 14, 2012