East of England
Cheap date ideas in Norwich
Updated
Norwich is a good city for a date on a budget. The cathedral is free, with the largest cloisters in England, and the Sainsbury Centre is pay what you can, with Picasso and Bacon in Norman Foster’s glass hangar. Wander cobbled Elm Hill, follow the river path past Cow Tower to Pull’s Ferry, or climb to St James’ Hill on Mousehold Heath for the best view of the city at sunset. For a few pounds, graze the market stalls below City Hall, step down into the Plantation Garden in its old chalk quarry, or have a pint at the Adam and Eve, which calls itself the city’s oldest alehouse. Cinema City is a film in a medieval merchant’s house, and Cromer Pier is a train ride away.
Our picks
Walk round the largest cloisters in England, crane your necks at the carved and painted roof bosses, and look up at one of the tallest spires in the country.
Why it's a good date: Free to visit and deeply peaceful, even on a busy Saturday. Have tea in the Refectory café, then wander the Close down to the river.
Photo: Sumit Surai, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Elm Hill and Tombland
Elm Hill, between Princes Street and Wensum Street
Address: Elm Hill, Norwich NR3 1HG- Outdoors
- Free
- Romantic
Wander up the cobbled street of Elm Hill, lined with timber-framed houses and little shops, then out into Tombland and through the old gates to the cathedral.
Why it's a good date: The prettiest street in the city and free to stroll. Go early or late in the day when it's quiet, and stop for coffee on the way.
Photo: Christopher Hilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Norwich Market
Market Place, by Gentleman's Walk
Address: Market Place, Norwich NR2 1ND- Other
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Graze your way round the rows of stripy-roofed stalls in the market square below City Hall, with street food from all over the world alongside chips, fresh fish and flowers.
Why it's a good date: Lunch for two for not much, and the stalls are covered if it rains. Split up, pick a dish each, and meet back to share.
Photo: Chris Holifield, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Sainsbury Centre
University of East Anglia, Earlham
Address: Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
See Picasso, Bacon and Giacometti alongside art from around the world in Norman Foster's great glass-and-metal hangar on the university campus.
Why it's a good date: Entry is pay what you can, from nothing up, and the building is worth seeing on its own. Afterwards, walk down to the lake on the edge of the campus.
Photo: Ian Beales, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Cinema City
St Andrew's Street, city centre
Address: Cinema City, St Andrew's Street, Norwich NR2 4AD- Event
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Watch a film at the independent cinema set in a medieval merchant's house, with a bar and courtyard for a drink before or after.
Why it's a good date: A cinema date with more character than any multiplex. Book ahead for new releases, and get there early for a drink in the courtyard.
The Riverside Walk to Pull's Ferry
Riverside Walk, from Bishopgate to Pull's Ferry
Address: Pull's Ferry, Ferry Lane, Norwich NR1 4DZ- Outdoors
- Free
- Romantic
Follow the path along the River Wensum past the round medieval Cow Tower and Bishop Bridge to Pull's Ferry, the old flint watergate below the cathedral.
Why it's a good date: A quiet, green stretch of the city that feels miles from the shops. Start with a pint at the Adam and Eve and finish by cutting up through the Close to the cathedral.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The Plantation Garden
Earlham Road, just west of the city centre
Address: The Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich NR2 3DB- Outdoors
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Step down into a Victorian garden tucked inside an old chalk quarry, with a Gothic fountain, terraces, rockeries and palm trees.
Why it's a good date: Lots of people who live in Norwich have never found it, which is half the charm. Bring cake for a bench by the fountain, and look out for summer evening events in the garden.
Photo: Amitchell125, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The Adam and Eve
Bishopgate, by the cathedral
Address: 17 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
- Culture
Have a drink in the flint-and-brick pub near the cathedral that calls itself the oldest alehouse in Norwich, with low beams inside and a flowery terrace out front.
Why it's a good date: Small, old and full of character, so you can actually hear each other. It's right by the river path, so it makes the perfect start or end to a walk.
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Cromer Pier
Cromer, about an hour by train
Address: Cromer Pier, The Promenade, Cromer NR27 9HF- Trip
- Outdoors
- Free
- Out of town
Take the Bittern Line train to the coast at Cromer, walk out along the Victorian pier, then share fish and chips or a famous Cromer crab on the clifftop.
Why it's a good date: A classic seaside day that's lovely even out of season. Check what's on at the Pavilion Theatre at the end of the pier, as the summer and Christmas shows are a tradition.
Photo: Scribwik, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Mousehold Heath
St James' Hill, off Gurney Road, Thorpe Hamlet
Address: St James' Hill, Mousehold Heath, Norwich NR1 4HR- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
Climb up to St James' Hill on the edge of Mousehold Heath for the view across the city's spires and towers, then wander the woodland and heath paths behind it.
Why it's a good date: The best view of Norwich, and a favourite with local dog walkers. Go up at sunset with a flask, when the cathedral spire catches the last of the light.
Photo: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Quick answers
Is Norwich Cathedral free to visit?
Yes, it's free, with the largest cloisters in England and tea in the Refectory café.
Is the Sainsbury Centre free?
Entry is pay what you can, from nothing up, so it can cost you nothing at all.
Save these to your jar
Dote keeps every date idea you find in one jar you share with your partner, and tells you which ones suit the weekend weather. It's free on iPhone and Android.
