Norwich

[WindowGazers]

Name changed for this. I live in Norwich. Have done for a few years. Moved to be near family. For anyone who lives in Norwich, AIBU in thinking there's not much 'fun' stuff to do here with kids that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Having lived in London, Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham throughout my career, I am bored here. Places I loved when I was little like donisaur Park are extortionate now for what they are. Bewilderwood which my son loves costs us £40 which I don't have. Loads of parks and playgrounds which is great but sometimes need to do something a little more exciting. Am I looking in the wrong place? Can anyone suggest anything for a lone mum and a 4yo?

You’ve got lots of beaches along the coast…Also, Thetford forest isn’t far.

We do spend a fair bit of time at the beach in the summer. Not something I would do all the time unless you live right next to it (it's a proper mission!). Or maybe I'm taking it for granted and being a little grumpy re my dislike of a sandy car! 😅 Thetford Forest is good, but is an hour away from where I am so don't consider that to be very local. Really looking for things specifically in Norwich.

I blame it on the pedestrianisation of the city centre to be honest.

It's not just me is it? A couple of my friends with kids have said the same about it being really quite a dull city in terms of fun stuff to do with kids. I'm hoping I'm just completely naive as to all the stuff there is to do here that may have passed me by!

Bewildered season tickets are good if you can afford the upfront cost. We used it like a play park in the end, going most weekends for a couple of hours and then feeding the swans in wroxham followed by an icecream and home.

I would love this but just cannot afford it. It would be £150 up front, which I would poss be able to afford when son goes to school and am not paying close to 1k in childcare per month (ugh).

UEA sports is great. Their drop in gymnastics is just over £4 and then either a snack in the cafe or a visit to the Sainsbury’s centre?

I live in Norwich and I completely agree, the libraries seem to be offering more things on holidays for free but that's about it. Everything as you say costs a fortune, the dinosaur park, bewilderwood, zoos etc. compared to some of our friends who live in other big cities there's definitely not as much free/cheap things to do

Will have a look! SC is a bit lost on 4yo but I love their exhibitions.

I'm always SO envious of the stuff that's on in holidays as a lone parent who works but understand this is my problem and nobody else's. Would be lovely if they continued them through the weekend but usually Monday to Friday.

The Sainsbury’s centre do free family sunday activities on the first Sunday of the month. They are really good. Tomorrows is an outdoor sculpture trail I think.

Theres good cycling paths isnt there, all round the city?

Yes my son is learning to ride. He goes on the back of mine at the moment.

You have the castle.I think anywhere is expensive to get into now .There is often stuff on at the Forum.I used to love Strangers Hall and the Bridewell Museum when I was a kid. Banham Zoo isnt a long drive away but granted not in Norwich. Loads of great parks.It's a small city so not comparable to say,Sheffield.Then again I'm desperate to move back after leaving in my 20s so I'm biased .

www.sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/free-family-sundays/

It’s worth looking at Norwich mumbler too for different ideas.

GMOTFW is a great charity that does loads of free or low cost family activities.

I do agree with you though, it can be a bit limited in norwich compared to other cities.

You can get a Norfolk museum pass fairly cheaply and there are quite a few museums and they often have event days with kids activities - especially gressenhall.

Wroxham Barns, Pettitts and the smaller zoos like Thrigby and Amazonazoo are also good at that age (although not in Norwich itself)

In the city there’s bowling and indoor crazy golf at riverside and the castle mall.

The castle is a bit rubbish atm as the good bits are closed and have been for months but can't wait for it to reopen! We've done strangers Hall (but not bridewell), think it's good for slightly older kids. We don't do zoos as I don't agree with them (but again, that's totally my problem not anyone else's). Googling bridewell museum as we speak.....

That should say years, not months!

We did the traffic free one to Aylsham, its lovely, and long, very long!

And the toy boating lake and mini golf at Eaton Park. And in the summer paddling in the river at Earlham Park.

The animatronic gorilla in the shoe shop in Royal Arcade seems to have vanished, sadly.

The Puppet Theatre and the Maddermarket both have good kids' shows, and there are regular activities in the Forum.

Ah I’m sorry you feel like this. My friends and I are always saying how lucky we feel to live in Norwich as it’s so great for kids. We do enjoy lots of outdoor stuff though like beach/woods etc Have you seen the Norwich Mumbler site? Often free stuff on there. What kind of things do you and your son enjoy?

Me and my family ran from Norwich to Aylsham in the summer! Would be lovely on a bike (and far less knackering 😅)

Yeah, I was always dead against it, People forget that traders need access to Dixons.

What! The monkey is gone! That's gutting.

Whilst we're here did anyone see that Frank's Bar has closed? Absolutely devastating!