For a memorable time out in one of the loveliest cities in the UK, there are many unique things to do in Norwich. From pubs you won’t find anywhere else to fascinating festivals that attract people from all over the country, there’s always something new to discover.
Check out some of these unusual things to do Norwich if you’re after a different experience in the city that’ll create cherished memories.
Visit The Belgian Monk
The Belgian Monk is one of the most unique places to eat in Norwich, serving, as the name suggests, Belgian cuisine. From traditional muscles to classic Belgian meatballs, you’ll find some of the nicest food which you won’t get anywhere else in the city.
What’s more, The Belgian Monk is located in the historic lanes at the centre of Norwich, and the old timber-framed building will make you feel like you’re in Bruges itself.
Along with the great food and setting, you’ll also have a wide range of drinks, including a massive menu of different Belgian beers. Nowhere else in Norwich offers such a selection.
Go to UEA Live
Previously called UEA Literary Festival, UEA Live brings some of the world’s best writers and thinkers to Norwich. With a series of talks and discussions in front of a live audience, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see some of your favourite authors and celebrities.
Hosted by the University of East Anglia on its campus at the edge of Norwich, it’s a great opportunity to do something different in the city. Plus, with a packed programme spread over each year, there’s always something to go and see.
Past festivals have included famous guests like Stephen Fry and Ed Miliband.
Watch a film at an outdoor cinema
Spending a night under the stars is one of the best things to do in Norwich for couples, especially when you can do it while watching a movie!
At Whitlingham Country Park, located on the edge of the city and not far from the train station, an open-air cinema shows films on select dates each year.
With drinks and hot food available, you’ll be well-served with refreshments. Check the website ahead of time to prebook tickets and you can have a truly special night in Norwich.
See Amazonian animals by the Norfolk coast
Take a short train ride out from Norwich and you can have a grand day out at one of the UK’s nicest seaside towns – Cromer.
There are many activities in Cromer to fill your time, but the most surprising attraction in the area is Amazona Zoo.
Home to more than 200 different species of birds and animals native to South America, Amazona offers a unique zoo experience close to Norwich.
Play a round at a unique bowling alley
While bowling itself might not be one of the most unusual things to do in Norwich, take a trip to Bowling House for a different experience from what you might be used to.
With just five lines, playing a game here feels much more relaxed than at other bowling alleys. Plus, the lanes are slightly shorter than standard, which helps everyone play well no matter their ability.
While the ten-pin bowling alley is the main feature of Bowling House, the venue is also a restaurant and cocktail bar, so you can eat and drink while you play. It even hosts karaoke, making it one of the most unusual but fun places to spend some time in Norwich.
Visit a sculpture park outside the home of the Avengers
On the campus of the University of East Anglia, you can find the Sainsbury Centre, an art museum hosting a range of fascinating collections which are worth dropping by to see.
But the Sainsbury Centre also garnered a lot of fame when shots of the building were used as Avengers HQ in a number of movies, with the unique glass and steel structure looking right at home as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A sculpture park surrounds the Sainsbury Centre, with works from a range of artists including Henry Moore and Antony Gormley. So if you’re after a truly unusual thing to do in Norwich, why not see some cool sculptures outside Avengers HQ!
Shop at an antique market in an old church
One of the most unusual things to do in Norwich is to visit All Saint’s Church in the centre of the city. This may first appear to simply be a run-of-the-mill church (there are a lot of them in Norwich!), but you’re free to take a look inside and discover what it holds.
The church was transformed into an antiques centre, inside which it’s easy to spend a while browsing the assortment of items for sale.
With the church having been largely built in the 15th century, there are few settings better suited for perusing old antiques.
