Things To Do in Norwich

Exploring the Norfolk Broads

One of the most important wetlands of Europe, the Norfolk "Broads" are part of the lush landscape of the Broads National Park, 18 Colegate, Norwick, Norfolk NR3 1BQ (tel. 01603/610734; www.broads-authority.gov.uk), lying both in Norfolk and Suffolk. Long thought to be natural lakes, they are actually man-made, resulting from peat being excavated for use as fuel. Flooded by a rising water table in the 13th century, these newly formed waterways were named "Broads."

The water comes from a trio of rivers -- the Bure, Waveney, and Yare -- that meander across these flatlands to the east of Norwich. The rivers converge at a lake, Breydon Water, before flowing into the North Sea at the port of Great Yarmouth.

The area covers 200km (124 miles) of navigable waterways. The dominant trees are alder, sallow, and birch, but you'll also see lots of oak and ash woodland. The fen, woodland, and grazing marshes of the Broads are home to some of the rarest plants and creatures in Britain.

One of Europe's most popular waterways, the Broads attract a million visitors a year with their blend of wildlife and distinctive landscapes.

On the River Bure, the town of Wroxham deservedly calls itself "the capital of the Broads." It lies 11km (7 miles) northeast of Norwich and is the best center for exploring the Broads, which, for the most part, are shallow lagoons linked by streams. These waterways are fun to explore by boat, of course, but some visitors prefer to ride bikes along trails in the Broads.

By public transportation, head to Wroxham from Norwich on bus no. 54, the ride taking 30 minutes and costing £3 round-trip. Once in Wroxham, a lot of information about the Broads is available from the Tourist Office, Station Road (tel. 01603/782281), which is open Easter to October daily 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm. At this office, you can get a list of small-boat outfitters renting vessels for touring the Broads. Day launches generally cost £12 to £20 per hour. Among the best and most reliable outfitters for boat rentals is Barnes Brinkcraft, River Bure, Wroxham, along Riverside Road (tel. 01603/782625).

If you don't want to handle your own boat, you can take an organized tour. The best ones are offered by Broads Tours, near the Wroxham Bridge (tel. 01603/782207; www.broads.co.uk). Their cruises last 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. In summer, most departures are at either 11:30am or 2pm. The cost ranges from £6 to £12 for adults, and from £4.50 to £8 for children 5 to 15 years; it's free for children ages 4 and younger.

Some areas of the Broads are reached only by bike. At the tourist office , you can purchase a pamphlet, Broads Bike Hire, listing the best routes and containing much useful information. There are many outfitters renting bikes for touring the Broads. The tourist office keeps a complete list.

From fine art to pop art, there's quite a lot happening around Norwich at night. Information on almost all of it can be found at the box office of the Theatre Royal, Theatre Street (tel. 01603/630000; www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk), where you can also pick up tickets to just about any event.

The Theatre Royal hosts touring companies performing drama, opera, ballet, and modern dance. The reduced Shakespeare Company troupe is among the regular visitors. Ticket prices run from £4 to £22, with senior and student discounts usually available for Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday matinees. The box office is open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 8pm on performance days, closing at 6pm on nonperformance days.

Hosting productions of classic drama on most evenings, Norwich Playhouse, Gun Wharf, 42-58 St. George's St. (tel. 01603/598598; www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk), offers tickets ranging from £10 to £30. The box office is open Monday to Saturday 9:30am until 6pm.

An Elizabethan-style theater, Maddermarket Theatre, 1 St. John's Alley (tel. 01603/620917; www.maddermarket.co.uk), is home to the amateur Norwich Players' productions of classical and contemporary drama. Tickets, ranging from £8 to £15, and schedules are available at the box office, Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm (till 5pm on nonperformance days).

Located in a converted medieval church, Norwich Puppet Theatre, St. James, Whitefriars (tel. 01603/629921; www.puppettheatre.co.uk), offers original puppet shows most afternoons and some mornings in an octagonal studio that holds about 50 people. Tickets are £7 adults, £5.50 students and seniors, and £5 for children 16 and younger, tickets are available at the box office Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm and on performance Saturdays 1 hour prior to the show's start.

The most versatile entertainment complex in town, Norwich Arts Centre, Reeves Yard, St. Benedict's Street (tel. 01603/660352; www.norwichartscentre.co.uk), hosts performances of ballet, comedy, and poetry, with an emphasis on ethnic music. Tickets are £3 to £20, and the box office is open Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm. On days of performances, the box office is open until 9pm.

Pay a call on Adam and Eve, 17 Bishopgate (tel. 01603/667423), the oldest pub in Norwich, founded in 1249, which serves a well-kept John Smith's or Old Peculiar.

Many beer drinkers prefer Fat Cat ★★, 49 W. End St. (tel. 01603/624436; www.fatcatpub.co.uk). Bartenders serve nearly three dozen real ales as well as their own beer (try Meow Mild or Top Cat). If you don't feel feline, opt for Black Dog Mild. Eight draft beers from Belgium and Germany as well as more than a dozen bottled Belgian beers and a dozen country wines are also featured, even Norfolk farm cider. In summer, tables are placed outside, and you can get a good lunch here, often meat pies, on any day except Sunday.

Finally, if you have a hankering for gay Norfolk men, dance the night away (on two floors) at the Media Night Club, 80 Rose Lane (tel. 01603/623559; www.medianightclub.co.uk). Later you can get better acquainted with your catch of the night on one of the black leather sofas. The website lists special nights such as drag shows and the like.