Norwich Things to Do Tips by TonyBagnall Top 5 Page for this destination

Good pub for a sunday lunch

The Hog in Armour pub does an excellent sunday lunch for about 7 quid. You can load up with as much veg as you want, and its a nice pub also.

Whisky Nights

Dominic, previousy editor of Whisky magazine and now manager of the Whisky Shop in Norwich, runs regular whiskey tasting nights. These are informative and a good way of tasting lots of different whiskies, and to have maybe one too many :) Mail me if you want to come along

Address: Usually at the Lawyer pub, but may be moving

A trendy veggie cafe

This is not a mung beans and rice place. It's of the goats cheese and sun dried tomato variety of vegetarian establishment. Good atmosphere here. Open all day including evenings when they sometimes has a DJ playing laid back tunes. Also good for tea and cakes in the afternoon. Licensed selling beers and wine. In my opinion the food at the Treehouse is better, but then it depends what you like.

There is a nice little health food shop called Rainbow downstairs.

Address: The Old Fire Stables, Labour in Vain Yard, Norwich

Directions: Tucked away down a passageway called Labour in Vain Yard, opposite the Guildhall, Norwich, NR2 1JD.

Go green at the Greenhouse Cafe

There are lots of cafes in Norwich but this is one of the more interesting ones. The place is run by volunteers, as it is funded via a charitable trust, so if the service is slow give the staff a break! The overall aim of the building is to promote sustainable living by providing educational material on green issues, climate change etc and leaflets on what people can do to limit the impact they have on the environment. All very worthy. The buidling itself aims to lead by example, having solar panels and using rainwater to flush the loos etc. There is a cute courtyard garden out the back which is lovely on a sunny day. The food is vegetarian and everything is organic.

The is also a small shop selling organic food and wine, household items, candles, cards etc.

Address: 42-46 Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2

Directions: Central Norwich

Website: http://www.greenhousetrust.co.uk/

Elm Hill - how quaint

Elm Hill is one of the oldest streets in Norwich. This narrow cobbled street is flanked either side by genuine Tudor houses some of which are now pretty little shops. Apparently there are more Tudor houses in Elm Hill than in the whole of the City of London.

Stop off for a lovely cup of tea and slice of delicious home made cake at the Britons Arms. The buidling is from the 15th century and has a thatched roof. If it is a nice day sit outside in the secret courtyard garden. It is also a cosy place in the winter time. The address of the cafe is 9 Elm Hill.

Address: Elm Hill, Norwich, NR3

Directions: Central Norwich

Walking around the City Centre

It is easy to walk around Norwich in a day, things are pretty close together and there are lots of cafes and pubs to stop at a long the way to refuel. The amount of medeval churches is quite remarkable - these people must have done a lot of praying! Highlights include the Cathedral and grounds, Elm Hill and the walk along the river. Note there are two Cathedrals (the Roman Catholic one is on the edge of town and is impressive but not as much as the one in the city centre which has the advantage of a lovely setting).

If you prefer to join an organised tour these are available. I haven't been on one so cannot vouch for the quality, more info at:
http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/documents/31.pdf

Address: City centre

The Forum

A multiple purpose building housing an ecletcic mix of the city's library, a cafe, the local BBC TV outpost and Pizza Express. The style of the buidling is very 'millenium' being constructed from huge amounts of glass and metal. There is a regular farmers market twice a month. Stand up comedy sometimes in the evening. Sometimes has exhibitions, for up to date info on what events are on see the website. The cafe has comfy sofas inside and live piano music once a week. There is also an outside terrace. The cafe is very popular and gets particularly busy at the weekend. A great place for people watching! In the winter they have a small ice rink outside for skating.

Address: 2 Millennium Plain, Bethel Street Norwich NR2 1TF

Directions: Central Norwich

Website: http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/