A full itinerary for your trip to Norwich
Norwich is the perfect destination for a couples city break. Attractions, shopping, cool bars, cafes and fine dining restaurants, plan your trip with our list of the best things to do and places in to eat in Norwich.
Couples staycation activities Norwich
Day One – Culture & Dining
Enjoy a morning at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery. The gallery hosts a programme of exhibitions throughout the year. Take a look around the rest of the museum, entry is only £3.
Wander over to Norwich Market to choose your lunch from around the world then take it to the war memorial gardens to eat.
Then take the short walk to CafeGelato on Opie Street to choose from some of the most delicious and authentic ice-creams and sorbet outside of Italy at this small café in the heart of the Norwich Lanes.
Take time wandering around the small lanes and streets of the Norwich Lanes discovering beautiful buildings, historic churches, independent shops and green spaces.
Stop for a glass of wine or a beer at Frank’s Bar on Bedford Street.
Dine at Benedicts on St Benedicts Street by booking a 5-course (£56) or 8-course dinner (£70). Owned by delightful chef proprietor Richard Bainbridge, Richard is a passionate advocate of local produce. He’s often on TV having twice won a dish at the banquet for Great British Menu. Dishes include the likes of Lightly Cured Hand Dived Scallop, Summer Truffle, Nasturtium Leaves and Dry Aged East Anglian Duck, Turnips, New Season Peas, Rhubarb. The restaurant has a Scandi-style simple paired back style with plenty of atmosphere.
Day Two Hidden Gems
Start the day with cinnamon buns the size of your face and a great coffee at Bread Source in Upper St Giles. This little street in the Norwich Lanes is a hidden gem you will be delighted at finding. Either sit in or walk over to Earlham Road (less than 10 mins) to Plantation Garden.
Visit the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and stop for lunch from Grosvenor Fish Bar.
Explore Elm Hill and visit Norwich Cathedral. Make your way to the Cloisters; a vaulted walkway built in the Middle Ages. From here take a walk along the riverside then refuel with classic Italian pizza from Saporita.
Day Three
Start the day browsing the incredible vintage/collectables/secondhand shops in Magdalen Street (on the edge of the Cathedral Quarter) – Looses Emporium and Aladdin’s Cave. If you love a bargain his is the place for you. Don’t forget to barter for the best price.
At Fye Bridge stop for a drink at the Ribs of Beef – this is a lovely spot on the river Wensum. Before heading to a lovely lunch at The Last. Choose a 3-course meal or small plates. It’s a great option if you love fish!
Book a Paul Dickson Walking Tour – there are many themes to choose from such as: Norwich, an Introduction, Norwich: A Black History and The Historic Pubs of Norwich, plus many more.
Shop on Norwich Market and in Jarrolds Deli for posh picnic fayre and drink before heading up to Mousehold Heath for a picnic whilst you watch the sunset over the Norwich skyline.
Day Four
Visit the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts & Sculpture Garden – it’s free entry! Skip lunch and head straight to The Assembly House for a splendid traditional afternoon tea with all the trimmings in one of the best Georgian buildings in Norwich.
Mix shopping and sightseeing by taking the T.rex GoGo Discover sculpture trail across Norwich city centre. It was a huge success in 2021, and returns this year from 27 June until 10 September.
Finish with dinner at L’Hexagone Bistro Francais which serves simple, delicious french dishes accompanied by a good selection of wine.
Day Five
Start early by hiring bikes from Beryl’s Bike and take a ride through the Marriott’s Way from Norwich deep into the Norfolk countryside. Keep with the theme and enjoy lunch at The Bicycle Shop on St Benedicts Street.
In the afternoon visit The Museum of Norwich at The Bridewell. For evening entertainment check out the programme at Norwich Theatre Royal, The Norwich Playhouse and Maddermarket Theatre. If you visit during July, the Shakespeare Festival will host an outdoor performance of Macbeth in the cloisters of Norwich Cathedral.
Day Six Saturday
See Norwich from a new perspective and take a 2-hour boat trip through the city to Whitlingham Country Park on The Myrtle Fish.
Follow this with a Gin Academy gin making experience with Gyre & Gimble where you will make your own recipe gin to take home.
For dinner book the snug at The Maids Head Hotel for a fabulous fine dining experience.
Day Seven
Shopping! Norwich has a great mix of independent and high street names. Make sure you visit; Country & Eastern on Bethel Street, Jarrold department store on Little London Street, The Granary on Bedford Street, The Sir Garnet on Gentleman’s Walk, The Jade Tree on Elm Hill, Tombland Bookshop on Tombland, The Book Hive on London Street, Ginger and The Design House both on Timberhill, The Royal Arcade and KOBO A-B on Bridewell Alley. This is just a snippet of what’s on offer. Norwich is a great destination for shopping.
Rest your feet with lunch and cocktails at The Cosy Club on London Street.
End the day with a game of Crazy Golf at Eaton Park then head to the café in the park for something to eat and drink.
