A day in Norwich

[RedDoughnut]

What should I do with a full day to myself in Norwich?

Somewhere to park?
Somewhere nice to eat?
What to see?

Anyone with local info please post your suggestions. Thanks!

Was brambles the basket shop? I used to love it. And the mustard shop before it moved. Never the same since.

Oh the gift/stationery shop opposite jarrolds.
Does any one rember the cafe downstairs? With the arched ceilings. We thought it was very cool as teenagers in the late 80s.
The ceiling used to drip in your coffee when it rained!

Hovells was the basket shop wasn't it?

Brambles was cards and gifts with a restaurant upstairs
Hovells was the basket shop
Bedfords opposite Hectors house had a crypt bar
The Walnut tree shades
Oliver's bakery and coffee shop
Snob for clothes

I still have a tshirt from snob. White with purple fish. I loved in there.

Our ‘day out’ massive bag for years was a Big Snob bag from Snob.

Thorns and Brambles - I always understood they were owned by the same family

Not sure, I didn't think it was
Brambles is no more, Thorns is still v popular

thornsdiy.com/pages/our-story



Mr Cordingly, 61, who left the business in 1998 but co-owns the current building with Miss Paston, said: 'When we first opened, the shop was quirky and there was nothing like this in Norwich. It became a bit of a centre for young people and students. It is part of the fabric of Norwich. '

I'm resurrecting this thread three years later as I was one of the posters who had a not-great day in Norwich, but I have now got the opportunity for a repeat visit this summer, so hoping some of the suggestions on this thread are still valid/open! I'll have 3-4 hours in the morning.

I'm thinking of trying to visit St Julian's cell, maybe the Bridewell museum, shopping in the various independent shops and market, maybe the Assembly rooms if they do a good morning coffee/cake, or maybe Waffle House for brunch. I have previously done the cathedral but don't remember much about it so could go back there. I went to the castle years ago, could go back but it's a bit expensive and I'm mostly looking for fairly low-cost things to do. I was interested in the hidden streets underground tour but that doesn't have any availability when I'm there. I'm not fixed to anything in particular though, so welcome other ideas.

I was thinking of parking in Chantry Place Q-Park, as I haven't time for park and ride, and I think I know where that one is and it was reasonably easy to get to from the direction I am coming from (it was OK to find way back when, at least). If traffic is awful first thing in the morning, I could arrive any time between 8 and 10 if I left early enough if there is a better time to be driving into the centre. But if there are better options, I'm all ears. I'm not a confident driver in places I don't know.

Chantry Place is a good place to park. If it’s busy, you just queue for a bit in the filter lane. I’ve never queued for longer than a few minutes. My favourite restaurant, The Wine Cellar, has sadly closed since you started the thread, so just as well you weren’t planning to go there. There’s a Roman Catholic cathedral which is worth seeing & is close to Chantry Place.

Thank you! (I wasn’t the original poster, but a commenter). I’m glad that’s an ok place to park as it’ll be much easier than park and ride in terms of time, and I don’t want to plan a smaller car park and find it’s full and then have to drive around somewhere unfamiliar to find a new one.

Hope you get on ok Brunchmonster. Not sure if you want ideas on places to eat in Norwich but Alex Green Reviews is pretty good for showing the latest restaurants/ pubs or even places on the market.

Thanks, I'll look it up - any sort of suggestions are always good for an interesting morning, which can include breakfast, brunch, morning coffee/cake, and/or lunch, in some combination!

The Castle has recently reopened after huge renovations. There's a program on channel 4 (or possibly 5) about the project. It's won awards.

Also, the cheese scones in Jarrold's in the top floor cafe are EPIC.

ETA - Cathedral is great - look for the skeleton tomb in the south aisle, and the bullet holes in the nave columns from the Civil War, and check out the cloister. Walk back up Elm Hill and marvel that the Council nearly demolished it in the 1950s. That brings you out near Cinema City which also has a lovely cafe set in a 16th century merchant's house, and St Andrew's Hall, the main concert hall which was originally part of an Augustinian priory. Then you can dodge back into the Lanes via the Bridewell, and then work your way up to the marketplace and Jarrold's.

thanks for the further ideas! looking forward to it

If you’re parking in Chantry Place then consider the Assembly House for a very nice brunch in very beautiful surroundings (and great service). It’s not even expensive for a traditional breakfast but feels very special www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk/dining/breakfast

Also you can visit the Castle for just £2.50 if you go for the last hour that it’s open.

Now this sounds very much up my street! I'm all about the brunch.

sadly I'm only there for the morning, shame the castle doesn't do a cheap first hour instead, as it sounds like the renovated version is worth another visit. But it's a bit expensive for what would be quick visit so I'll save it for another time.

Haha, I have just looked up my post on this thread from 3 years ago, when I was just back from DD1's Graduation from UEA, and very sad that I wouldn't have any excuse to go back to Norwich! Well, we've been back once since (brief stop en route to North Norfolk) and are planning a weekend break to see the renovated Castle (which was closed for ages). Very glad this thread has popped back to the top of my watch list.....