Things to do in the Norwich area

[MrsAvocet]

Teenage DS is doing some work experience in Norwich during the Easter holidays. DH, our other teenage DS and I are going along too and I'm looking for ideas of activities. We like history, wildlife/the outdoors but I am waiting for some surgery and have some mobility issues at the moment. I can walk a few miles as long as I take my time but nothing much more strenuous than that. Happy to drive to places of interest but we'll have to be back in Norwich by 5pm to pick DS up each day so we probably shouldn't go too far. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Also, it's DH's birthday whilst we are there and we'll probably want to go out for a meal that night. Can anyone suggest any nice places to eat - either a good traditional pub or italian would be the preferred options if anyone knows anywhere. Thanks!

www.escaperoomsearch.co.uk/item/secrets-of-the-tunnels-history-mystery-norwich/

benolirestaurant.com

www.paolos-restaurant.co.uk

www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/whats-on

Italian - Trattoria Rustica on Princes Street - family run, traditional.

Blickling Hall or Felbrigg Hall (both NT) are nice for day trips. Blickling particularly for you as it has nice wide flat paths around much of the gardens.

Norwich castle is in the centre of the city as is the cathedral.
Lots of nice restaurants in Norwich big chain restaurants are dotted around the city or if you head to the riverside (near the station) there are restaurants there including Nando's, Wetherspoons, tgi fridays etc along with a trampoline park, bowling and odeon cinema which might come in helpful if the weather isn't good.
Norfolk Broads is very close by you could do a day hire of a boat or go to Wrexham and do a river cruise.
If you want traditional seaside Great Yarmouth is only half an hour away.
Try Googling The Forum Norwich it should tell you if anything good is going on there at Easter also Theatre Royal Norwich might have a good show on.

If you like history a visit to Castle museum may be of interest. There has been national news re the latest exhibition that started last week
www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle/whats-on/exhibitions/last-voyage-of-the-gloucester
I second Benoli for Italian food great for a special occasion.
There are plenty of lovely beaches and costal walks as well if you want to escape from the city. You can always head to the Norfolk Broads and take a short boat ride.

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen has some good walks of varying lengths and is very flat!

The Bridewell Museum - good for local history. It’s an old building with some steps in and out of rooms.

The cathedral also isn’t far away and is good access - go to the refectory for lunch and walk the labyrinth in the cloisters.

Cinema City is a nice grown up cinema, take a glass of wine in with you and have a brunch or dinner in the beautiful old Dining Rooms restaurant attached to it. Fantastic eggs Benedict.

Oh if you want a posh restaurant go to Bishops for lunch - reasonable price for a set fine dining menu at lunch. It’s right next to Cinema City.

Whitlingham Broad- a mile out of the city, easy walks, great cafe.
Potter around Holt.
North Norfolk Coast is an easy day trip.
Hunstanton - Seal spotting
Several National Trust Properties.
Great Yarmouth for naval heritage.
UEA Sports Park Climbing wall / pool
UEA - Sainsbury’s Centre - art, walks, cafe!
Riverside Cinemas / trampolining

Btw the Castle Museum is being revamped at the moment so there’s not an awful lot open inside and what is open is looking a bit tired. But it’s worth a couple of hours if you like history and taxidermy.

Cromer on the train? You could get back before 5pm with some planning.

Thanks everyone - I wasn't expecting so many replies! Some good ideas to look at there. We are NT and RSPB members so will definitely look at their sites.
I've never been to Norfolk at all before so I am sure we will find lots to do. I'm just a bit worried about going too far from Norwich and not being able to get back in time if the traffic is bad - I'm assuming the popular tourist destinations get very busy in the school holidays? Not that DS is a baby, and I'm sure he could look after himself if we were a but late, but I'd feel bad about it!