Discover Norwich

Norwich is known as The City of Stories for good reason. This East Anglian city has tall tales running through its veins – from the ancient buildings and cobbled streets, to the long list of famous authors who call it home. Its literary pedigree was recognised in 2012 when it became England’s only UNESCO City of Literature, which means you’ve got creative spaces and bookshops galore to tick off when you book bus travel to Norwich. Factor in a vibrant shopping scene and buzzing nightlife and you’ll have plenty of stories of your own by the time you leave.

Norwich: top 3 things to do

1. Get spooked at Norwich Castle

For just a couple of pounds you can take a guided tour around the battlements and dungeons of Norwich Castle, which was a medieval prison for 500-odd years. The castle is right in the heart of the city and home to a museum and art gallery, too, so it’s perfect for a culture fix.

2. Visit the Colman’s Mustard Shop

That neon-yellow Colman’s Mustard in your sandwich? It comes from Norwich. And the city has a mustard shop and mini-museum in Norwich Lanes that’s dedicated to the stuff. There’s also an amazing coffee bar, so you can stop for a cup made from beans freshly roasted on the premises. There’s a second branch at the UEA, too, in the Enterprise Centre.

3. Wander through Elm Hill

No coach trip to Norwich would be complete without an afternoon spent in the dusty antiques shops and quaint tea rooms of Elm Hill. All crooked houses and cobbled paths, it’s like a scene straight from medieval times. Suffice to say your Instagram feed will thank you for it.

Norwich: getting around

Taking the coach to Norwich couldn’t be easier with megabus. Your bus will drop you in a central spot and you’ll usually have things like free WiFi* onboard and a 20kg luggage allowance included with your ticket. Read our onboard facilities page to find out more about those.

But what about getting around the city once you’re there? Norwich is really compact, so your best means of transport is walking. That way you can explore the network of cobbled streets and higgledy-piggledy lanes at your own pace, and really get a feel for what makes Norwich unique.

The city even has its own free WiFi service, so you can stay connected while you’re exploring. And the tourist information centre at The Forum is a great place to pick up city maps and find free walking trails.

If you’re setting off further afield, there are great bus links to further-out parts of the city and universities like the UEA. Plus, you can take a train to the coast from Norwich – Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer are both within daytripping distance. As are the beautiful Norfolk Broads.

Norwich: best for nightlife

The nightlife scene in Norwich is first-rate – you just need to work out where to start. For a night at the theatre, try Norwich Playhouse. It hosts a long line-up of comedy shows, dance performances, musicals and plays, and it has a great bar and riverside garden.

If you’re looking for a classic night out – and a large collection of UEA students on any given Thursday – head straight for Prince of Wales Road. And if you’re after something a little different, Mr Postles’ Apothecary promises ‘magical potions an eccentric elixirs’. That’s cocktails to you and me.

Norwich: best for shopping

If shopping is on your list of things to do, Norwich won’t disappoint. There are a couple of big shopping centres in the city – intu Chapelfield and Castle Mall – which cover all the usual household names.

For one-off finds, Norwich Market is open Monday to Saturday in the heart of the city, on Gentleman’s Walk. And the Norwich Lanes are the place to head to if you’re a fan of independent shops. Tucked away down this tangle of narrow lanes you’ll also find quirky cafés, indie galleries and plenty of places to stop for a lunchtime pint.

Norwich for free: our top 3

1. Visit Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral takes the crown as the most complete Norman cathedral in England, and you can soak up its 900-year history on a free guided tour. They set off on the hour between 11:00 and 15:00, Monday to Saturday, so time your coach to Norwich accordingly if you want to visit.

2. Spend an afternoon at The Forum

The Forum, built for the millennium, is open seven days a week, all year round. It hosts free talks, workshops, performances and pretty much every other creative pursuit you can think of. It’s in the heart of the city and it’s also home to Norwich’s Tourist Information Centre.

3. Stop off at Chapelfield Gardens

When you’ve ticked off all the sights on your to-do list, save some time for a trip to Chapelfield Gardens. An oasis of calm in the city centre, this Victorian public park makes the perfect place for an autumnal walk or a summertime picnic. Visitors rave about Pedro’s restaurant here, too, which does a great line in Tex-Mex food and salsa dancing.

Use the megabus journey planner to book your coach to Norwich today.

*Subject to availability and connection