Get to know a city on foot
Norwich is a city best understood by joining its smaller places together. The market and Gentleman’s Walk form one busy centre; the Lanes offer narrower streets and independent shops; Tombland leads towards the Cathedral Close. Down by the Wensum, the pace changes again. You can combine these in a walk without treating the whole city as a single shopping street.
Two cathedrals, different parts of the city
Norwich Cathedral stands in its own close near Tombland, with the tall stone spire visible from many streets and riverside paths. St John the Baptist Cathedral is a separate Roman Catholic cathedral towards the west of the centre. Giving the full name helps when arranging a visit or meeting someone; the two buildings are not interchangeable landmarks.
Follow the streets down to the Wensum
Elm Hill’s cobbles, timber framing and small shop windows are worth a slow look. Continue towards the river for a different view of Norwich, including the historic watergate at Pull’s Ferry and the crossing at Bishop Bridge. Some paths and old streets have uneven surfaces, so plan a comfortable route if you are walking with a pushchair or have mobility needs.
Look beyond the centre
Eaton and the Golden Triangle have their own shops, services and residential streets, while Thorpe Hamlet, Mile Cross, Mousehold and Bowthorpe offer other starting points. Sprowston, Hellesdon, Thorpe St Andrew, Costessey and Cringleford are distinct communities around the city. Our directory brings local businesses together without implying that every Norwich postal address is in the city centre.
Use the right council for the address
Norwich City Council handles city services, but some surrounding places come under Broadland or South Norfolk councils. Norfolk County Council covers services such as highways and libraries across the county. Use the actual property address when checking responsibility, especially near the city boundary; a Norwich postcode alone will not settle it.
Make a useful first visit
Choose a small part of the city to explore first, leave time for a café stop and check the last bus or onward journey before an evening event. Norwich railway station is east of the central shopping streets, so allow time for the walk into town. Our business listings help with practical stops, from a repair or haircut to somewhere to eat.
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