Norwich is a historic city in the East of England. It is the regional administrative centre for East Anglia and county town of Norfolk. The city is on the River Wensum in East Anglia, about 100 miles (160 km) north-east of London. Norwich is the third most populous administrative centre in the United Kingdom after London and Birmingham. The urban area of Norwich had a population of 213,166 according to the 2011 Census. The parliamentary seats cross over into adjacent local-government districts. Norwich is the fourth most densely populated local-government district in the East of England, with 3,480 people per square kilometre.
Historic buildings in Norwich include Norwich Cathedral, the Norman castle of Norwich Castle and Winchester Palace. The Palace of Westminster is also a fine example of a medieval building, although it has been much altered since its construction in the 11th century. Modern buildings in the city include the Forum, a library and public space which won several architecture awards when it opened in 2005.
For children, there are a number of attractions in Norwich. These include Norwich Castle, the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, Norwich Cathedral, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, The Forum and Dragon Hall. Norwich Puppet Theatre, Dominion Cinema and the Maddermarket Theatre are also popular with children.
The city has a number of large parks, including Mousehold Heath, Earlham Park, Waterloo Park and Plantation Garden. Mousehold Heath is a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Earlham Park is home to a number of sports facilities, including a football stadium, athletics track, tennis courts and a golf course. Waterloo Park has a lake, walking and cycling routes and a children’s play area. Plantation Garden is a walled garden which is open to the public.
Norwich also has a number of open spaces, including the River Wensum, Millennium Plain, Norwich city centre, Norfolk Showground and Cow Tower. The River Wensum is a linear park which runs through the city centre. Millennium Plain is a large open space on the outskirts of the city. Norwich city centre is a pedestrianised area which contains a number of shops, restaurants and cafés. Norfolk Showground is a short walk from the city centre and is the venue for a number of events, including the Norfolk Show. Cow Tower is a 14th-century Defensive tower which is now used as a vantage point to view the city.
10 Fun & Kid-Friendly Things To Do In Norwich, United Kingdom
1. Visit the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery: The Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to take kids. They can explore the castle grounds, learn about the history of the castle, and see a variety of art exhibits.
2. Visit the Norwich Cathedral: The Norwich Cathedral is a beautiful historic building that kids will love exploring. They can walk around the inside of the cathedral, see the stained glass windows, and even climb to the top of the spire for a great view of the city.
3. Take a ride on the City Sightseeing Norwich bus: The City Sightseeing Norwich bus is a great way to see the city. Kids can hop on and off at any of the stops to explore different parts of Norwich.
4. Visit the Norfolk Wildlife Trust: The Norfolk Wildlife Trust is a great place to take kids if they love animals. They can learn about the different animals that live in the area, and evenfeed the ducks!
5. Visit the Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum: The Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum is a great place to take kids if they love mustard! They can learn about the history of mustard making in Norwich, and even make their own mustard.
6. Visit the Norwich Puppet Theatre: The Norwich Puppet Theatre is great place to take kids if they love puppets. They can see a variety of puppet shows, and even participate in some of them.
7. Go on a boat ride on the River Wensum: A boat ride on the River Wensum is a great way to see Norwich from a different perspective. Kids can wave to people on the banks of the river, and see all the different bridges that cross it.
8. Visit the Forum: The Forum is a great place to take kids if they love learning. They can explore the different exhibits, participate in workshops, and even see a planetarium show.
9. Visit the Mousehold Heath: The Mousehold Heath is a great place to take kids if they love nature. They can explore the different trails, see the wildflowers, and even spot some of the animals that live there.
10. Take a trip on the Bure Valley Railway: The Bure Valley Railway is a great way to see the countryside. Kids can wave to people as they pass by, and even ring the bell on the train!