Norwich Tourist Information and Tourism

(Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK)

The city of Norwich lies within the county of Norfolk, where it enjoys a famous medieval past and contains many splendid historical, half-timbered buildings and remains of its strong city walls. Norwich has enjoyed much urban regeneration and following the completion of the architecturally striking Forum complex, home of the Millennium Library and Tourist Information Centre, the city is now considered to be amongst the most appealing and tourist friendly within eastern England.

Home of the Norwich City Football Club (the Canaries), a team with strong connections to television cook Delia Smith, the city is now also known for its wealth of shops, and provides some of the best retail opportunities in England. And when it comes to tourism, the city has recently began to market its 12 most notable heritage buildings, which have been simply named as the 'Norwich 12' and continue to be a magnet for visitors.

Norwich Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

There are a number of different ways to sightsee in Norwich, with walking tours, open-top buses and cruises along the River Wensum all being extremely popular. Tourists with time to stroll around the city should be sure to check out the cobbled lanes and alleys in the Elm Hill area, which are overflowing with medieval character and related attractions, and recently made an appearance in the movie blockbuster 'Stardust' (2007). On Earlham Road, the lovingly restored Plantation Garden has led a rather chequered history, as has the Theatre Royal on Theatre Street, where many events and shows take place all through the year. More information about Norwich Tourist Attractions.

With so many great buildings in the city, those now categorised as the Norwich 12 really are quite outstanding. Norwich Castle is one of the most recognisable and this 12th-century Norman fortress stands on the hilltop, high above the city centre, where it joins Europe's finest. Also making quite a splash on the city's skyline is Norwich Cathedral, which is one of some 30 medieval churches located inside of the city walls. Further city landmarks include the Dragon Hall, the Strangers Hall, the Great Hospital, St. Andrew's Hall and Blackfriars Hall, the Guildhall, St. James Mill and Norwich City Hall, which is a beautiful Art Deco building, graced by two bronze lions and dramatic stone columns, and is quite palatial in its appearance. Norwich is also very much a university city, and its campus of the University of East Anglia also deserves a mention in this category. More information about Norwich Landmarks and Monuments.

When it comes to information about the city's past, then the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is certainly the principal attractions of its kind, being filled with archaeological artefacts and exhibits. However, there is plenty more in the way of culture and arts in the city. The Bridewell Museum remembers the city's industrial success and achievements, while the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum celebrates the regional regimental history. When it comes to the world of art, the award-winning Forum venue offers changing exhibitions and an enormous digital gallery space. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is also a good place to appreciate art and comes with its own permanent collection of donated masterpieces. More information about Norwich Museums and Norwich Art Galleries.

All around Norwich are many wonderful tourist attractions and possible day trips. Of course, the Norfolk Broads is especially close and popular, and these vast wetlands are made of innumerable waterways, nature reserves and marshes. Other dependable excursions from Norwich include the port town of King's Lynn, Sandringham House, Blickling Hall, the Dinosaur Adventure at Lenwade, the Fairhaven Woodland at South Walsham and the Raveningham Gardens. For a bit of seaside fun, take a drive to the nearby beach resorts of Cromer and Great Yarmouth, or to the holiday town of Wells-Next-The-Sea, where a steam railway winds its way to Little Walsingham. More information about Norwich Attractions Nearby.

More Norwich Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: England (east)
• Location: Norfolk / East Anglia
• Status: city
• Area: approximately 15 square miles / 40 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 375,000
• Language: English
• Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Time zone: GMT / UTC and BST (British Summer Time), 5 hours from Eastern Standard Time
• Country dialling code: +44
• Telephone area code: 01603
• Average daily Norwich January temperature: 7°C / 45°F
• Average daily Norwich July temperature: 22°C / 72°F