St. Peter Mancroft church, Norwich’s largest medieval parish church lies in the centre of Norwich and is a great place to start any tour of the city.
See this 15th century marvel before you visit Norwich Cathedral. Built in the English Perpendicular style, it is the resting place of several notables and there’s a remarkable collection of church silver, medieval glass, a 1463 font and a 1573 Flemish tapestry. This is a favourite among the top 5 free activities to do in Norwich.
From here, step out into Norwich Market, nestled between the pedestrianised Gentlemen’s walk on one side and the Memorial gardens on the other.
Norwich Market dates to Norman times and can be seen from the ramparts of Norwich Castle. It is one of the largest open-air markets in Europe with a wide variety of stalls to browse. As an aside, for something a bit different that even a lot of the locals don’t seem to know about, visit The South Asia Collection in the Old Skating Rink Gallery, nearby. This is a museum, combined with retail outlet, but its free to go in and there’s an amazing Asian art collection in this vast space. Very friendly staff.
Now take the Riverside Walk, deserving of its place in the top 5 free activities to do in Norwich, weather permitting.
Taking the Riverside Walk will allow you to head over St. Miles Bridge. Walk along the riverbank heading east until you reach the John Jarrold Printing Museum (about 20 minutes’ walk). This is the company that printed Anna Sewell’s ‘Black Beauty’ and Norwich is the city where she lived. The enthusiastic staff, who are all ex-printers, welcome visitors to help keep the craft of traditional printing alive, so stop in if you can. The smell of ink and machinery is glorious. Only open on a Wednesday, though and currently subject to a relocation and redevelopment plan as part of a new hotel and office complex is being developed on the site.
Heading back south, over the Jarrold Bridge, you will reach Norwich Cathedral, No. 1 on the list of Top 5 free activities to do in Norwich.
Marvel at the sheer scale and craftsmanship of this jewel in the crown, wander around the cloisters and take time to sit down and admire this magnificent building which dates back to the 11th century.
Passing by the Norwich University of the Arts, you’ll arrive at Norwich Castle.
Norwich Castle, one of the oldest buildings in Norwich, is last on the list of top 5 free activities to do in Norwich. It was built by the Norman King, William the Conqueror, for the Norman and French inhabitants of the quarter. Admission to the shop, café and information desk only is free. Norwich Castle lays claim to its place in the top 5 free activities to do in Norwich because of its historical importance. If you are looking for free things to do, it’s still worth taking the time to stroll by it just to get a feel for this ancient city’s history from the beginning.
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