Norwich Cottages with Hot Tubs

Get More From Your Norwich Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Norwich packs a punch with its sightseeing options. The city has more medieval churches than any other in Western Europe - 31 to be exact! I recommend starting at Norwich Cathedral (NR1 4DH, open 7:30am-6pm), which has the second tallest spire in England and incredible cloisters.

Norwich Castle (NR1 3JU, open 10am-4:30pm) scores 4/5 on TripAdvisor and houses fascinating exhibits on local history. The castle recently completed a £13.5m renovation project to restore its medieval keep.

The Lanes area offers independent shops in a maze of medieval streets. We love Elm Hill, the most complete medieval street in Norwich with buildings dating back to the 1500s. It's been used as a filming location for Netflix's Jingle Jangle.

Don't miss Strangers' Hall (NR2 4AL, open Weds-Sun 10am-4pm, 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor), a merchant's house showing how people lived from Tudor to Victorian times. The gardens are particularly lovely in summer.

Pet Friendly

Norwich is brilliant for dog owners. Many cottages with hot tubs welcome pets, often with secure gardens where they can run around while you relax in the bubbles.

Earlham Park offers 80 acres of open space for walks and is popular with local dog owners. The UEA Broad nearby provides a scenic 2-mile circuit that's perfect for morning walks.

For eating out, The Georgian Townhouse (NR2 4SY) has a dog-friendly bar area and garden, even offering doggy ice cream in summer! The Rosebery pub (NR3 3AB) welcomes dogs and has water bowls and treats behind the bar.

Norwich Market has several food stalls with outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. I'd recommend bringing a portable water bowl for city exploring and the tourist information centre (NR2 1NH) can provide details of dog-friendly taxi companies if needed.

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Norwich

The Norfolk Broads National Park starts just east of Norwich. This network of rivers and lakes covers 125 miles of lock-free waterways. We suggest hiring a day boat from Wroxham (NR12 8RX), about 8 miles from Norwich. Visitors rave about the freedom: "Seeing otters was the highlight of our holiday!" said one TripAdvisor reviewer. Even without boating experience, these small craft are easy to handle.

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (NR4 7TJ, open Tues-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm) houses an incredible collection of art spanning 5,000 years. The building itself is worth seeing - designed by Norman Foster, it appeared as the Avengers HQ in Marvel films. Their sculpture park is free to enter and perfect for a picnic. "World-class art in a stunning setting" according to visitor feedback.

Norwich Market is one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in England, operating since the 11th century. With nearly 200 stalls under distinctive striped roofs, it's foodie heaven. Try Bun Box for Japanese street food or Brick Pizza for authentic wood-fired pizza. The market has won multiple national awards and locals say "you haven't experienced Norwich until you've eaten your way through the market!"

Is Norwich good for a weekend break?

Yes! Norwich is compact enough to explore in a weekend but has enough to fill a week. The city centre is walkable, with most attractions within a 15-minute stroll of each other. Having a cottage with a hot tub gives you somewhere special to unwind after busy days exploring.

When is the best time to visit Norwich?

May to September offers the best weather, but Norwich has year-round appeal. The Norwich & Norfolk Festival in May brings arts events, while Christmas sees a magical market around the castle. February's Norwich Beer Festival is popular with ale enthusiasts. Autumn brings gorgeous colours to the city's parks and fewer tourists.

Do I need a car in Norwich?

Not necessarily. Norwich has good public transport and is compact for walking. However, a car is useful for exploring the wider Norfolk area, especially the coast and Broads. Many cottages with hot tubs are in rural locations outside the city centre where having a car is advantageous.

What's Norwich famous for?

Norwich was England's second city for much of the medieval period. It's famous for Colman's Mustard, Norwich City FC (the Canaries) and being the first UK city to pedestrianise streets in the 1960s. Norwich has a strong literary heritage and was named England's first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012.

Are there good restaurants in Norwich?

Absolutely! Roger Hickman's Restaurant (NR2 1TT) offers fine dining, while Benedicts (NR2 4SN) is run by a Great British Menu winner. For casual eating, try Grosvenor Fish Bar (NR2 1LW) which serves innovative fish and chips in medieval cellars. The city has excellent international options too, from authentic Thai at Vine Thai to outstanding Lebanese at Haggle.

What's the best area to stay in Norwich?

For city access, look at cottages in the Golden Triangle or NR2 area. For a mix of city and countryside, properties in Thorpe St Andrew or Sprowston offer hot tubs with good transport links. If you want rural tranquillity but Norwich access, consider cottages around Wroxham or the northern villages like Horsford or Taverham.

1. Visit Norwich Official Tourism Site
2. Norfolk Broads National Park Information
3. Norwich Cathedral Visitor Information