Bursting with history and culture, Norwich is a perfect city for groups of all ages
For a short weekend break or a day trip exploring, groups won’t be at a lost for things to do in the city of Norwich.
With its deep history flowing through its streets, it’s a city offering broad contrasts between old and new – a collection of heritage landmarks blend with the lively vibe the area presents.
Norwich Castle
Described as offering the gateway to medieval England, Norwich Castle is perched up on Castle Hill. With access via steps or a lift, it is a perfect site for all accessibility requirements.
Built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago, it is now a museum and art gallery and home to a broad collection of fine art, archaeology and natural history. There’s plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered within its eight different galleries: Norwich Castle keep; Boudica and the Romans; Anglo Saxons and Vikings; The Egyptians; Natural history; Fine art; and Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Rembrandt on display
For the first time in more than 30 years, the castle currently has on display an extraordinary collection of etchings by the Dutch artist Rembrandt.
Upon entering the gallery, the colours are striking, bold and very contemporary, contrasting with the works of Renbrandt who uses limited colours. However, the bright colours have been taken from his own palette.
The exhibition, Rembrandt – Lighting the Darkness, is separated into seven different sections and reveals how he achieved stunning effects of the contrasting theme, simply with the combination of black lines and the white space around them.
This is an exhibition which requires time in order to focus on the detail, and as the pictures vary in size – some as small as a postage stamp – visitors are really encouraged to get up close to the art, this way you will also be able to spot little hidden treasures lurking in the shadows and backgrounds of the pieces.
In one of the smaller side rooms of the gallery, an interactive zone has many of the ‘hidden treasures’ zoomed in, it’s the visitors job to see how many they can find. Some are harder than others.
Most of the pictures belong to the museum, however some are on loan from the National Gallery and the Queen’s collection from Buckingham Palace.
The exhibition will be on display until 7 January 2018 and is included in the general admission price. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 and more when booked in advance, with complimentary admission for the group leader and coach driver.
Norwich Cathedral
From a distance visitors to the city can see Norwich Cathedral’s spire, as expected from the cathedral with the second tallest spire in England.
Upon walking through the arch that leads the way to the imposing 12th-century cathedral, the beautiful grand architecture of the Romanesque building becomes evident. The stained-glass windows and intricate carvings on the outside make you wonder what awaits inside.
There are two areas for groups to explore freely. The inside of the cathedral, and England’s largest Cathedral Close and monastic Cloisters.
Guided tours are available for groups to unearth more about the 900-year-old building.
General group tours cover general topics, with some special subject focus available on request, and themed group tours are available for those wanting to focus on a particular aspect of the cathedral including:
· The Close
· Stained Glass Windows
· Chapels and Chantries
· The Cloisters and more.
Both tours run for 60-90 minutes, and are available Monday to Saturday at £5.00pp.
After taking in the tranquil surroundings of the area, groups can enjoy a light lunch or coffee and cake in the Refectory café.
Strangers’ Hall
Said to be one of Norwich’s most historic buildings, Stranger’s Hall is a Tudor house that, since the 14th century, has been the home to the city’s leading citizens.
Previously it was the home to wealthy merchants and mayors at a time when Norwich was in its prime, now this beautifully preserved building is a museum of domestic history.
Discover a series of inter-linked rooms as you travel through a maze of passages. See the Great Hall, the Dining Room and the stone-vaulted undercroft. If the weather serves you well, you can also visit the gardens.
Opening times vary during the different seasons. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more when booked in advance.
The Norwich 12
The Norwich 12 are a collection of the most iconic buildings in Norwich. They are said to showcase “English urban and cultural development over the last 1,000 years and one of the UK's finest collection of individually outstanding heritage buildings from the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras.”
Entrance to some of the Norwich 12 are free, some have a fee and others can only be visited during Heritage Open Days.
The Norwich 12 include:
- Norwich Castle
- Norwich Cathedral
- The Great Hospital
- The Halls – St Andrew’s and Blackfriars’
- The Guildhall (now home to Café Britannia)
- Dragon Hall (now home to Writers' Centre Norwich)
- The Assembly House
- St James Mill (Jarrold Printing Museum)
- St John Baptist Cathedral
- Surrey House – Marble Hall (home to Aviva)
- City Hall
- The Forum
Shopping
Norwich offers plenty of shops varying from high-street stores, shopping centres and independent shops to take your fancy.
Jarrolds is a must visit when in the city. It is widely regarded as the flagship independent store in Norwich, and winner twice of the UK's Independent Department Store of the Year.
intu Chapelfield Shopping Centre houses over 90 shops, cafes and restaurants, and is very eager to welcome groups. Mention VisitNorwich when you make your enquiry.
Castle Mall is situated next to Norwich Castle and has five floors of shops to be explored.
