Visit to the city of Norwich, May 2026

Day visit to Norwich 12^th May 2026

Norwich, a city worth visiting

Despite a chilly start and the need for coats, 43 travellers enjoyed a sojourn in the ancient city of Norwich, with 31 survivingmedieval churches, 2 cathedrals and a recently reopened castle, there is much to learn and enjoy.

Some went in search of Julian of Norwich, the first woman to write a book in the English language, others to the impressive Anglican Cathedral, most were keen to find coffee and comfort while planning their day. I can highly recommend a giant almond and cherry croissant from the Cornish Bakery.

Around the city you will find the ‘mobile tourist office’ volunteers wearing blue bibs and carrying messenger bags with maps, guides and information. These extremely knowledgeable people pop up everywhere when you need directions or just a friendly chat.

I headed for the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, having visited its Anglican counterpart on a previous occasion. There were few visitors, so it was a calm and peaceful place to walk around and enjoy the vast arches and stained glass windows of this Victorian Gothic Revival building.

The Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Catholic Cathedral from the rear

My main destination was the Plantation Garden, tucked away behind the cathedral. It is a most magical secret garden, created in the mid-19^th century on an old chalk quarry and run by volunteers. Well worth a visit if you need some peace and quiet.

I then set off back through the town, past the cobbled lanes, the Guildhall and the Maddermarket, with a quick tour of the Cathedral Close, to Norwich Castle, where the café provided me with a giant sausage roll and a ginger beer!

Following a five year redevelopment, this impressive Norman castle offers walkways through rooms depicting the life of a medieval royal palace. The lower floors are dedicated to art works and the Norwich Museum, with an amazing array of artefacts, bones, skeletons, tapestries and some extraordinary stuffed creatures, penguins, polar bears, birds and other beasts. One could spend all day there and still not see everything.

Thrones in the Great Chamber	The Garderobe... complete with rat
The well Skeleton of who knows who...	Scientific research: To the ends of the earth,

At the prescribed time, our travellers gathered at the bus stop for the return journey and to compare notes. I learned that there are over 150 operational pubs in the city area and 52 churches, one for each week of the year. (This is a popular local legend rather than an exact current count.)

Waiting for the bus home...                                        ...or for The Olde Vape Shop to open!

Definitely a city worth visiting. If you have any ideas for future outings to interesting places, please let me know.

Liz Cooper