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Things to do
Things to do in Norwich
There is so much to do and see in Norwich we just don't know where to start! We thought we would share a few of our favourites with you!
Calling All Shopaholics!
Ladies .... if you love shopping then Norwich is the perfect place for you! Norwich is just simply a shopper's paradise, with a blend of large shopping centres to market stalls. The city's most recent development is the Chapelfield shopping centre which was finished in September 2005. This fabulous shopping centre is open seven days a week and has over 80 shops, 40 of which are completely new to Norwich including the only House of Fraser in the region.
The city also houses the Castle Mall shopping centre which has many big store names and a recently refurbished food court. In contrast to its shopping centres and modern precedents, the city has the added attraction of a six day open air market as well as hundreds of speciality shops in a maze of cobble stoned lanes and alleys, aptly named "the lanes".
Gents ... panic not! We have some fantastic gents shops from an Apple Store to Hollister to some independent local gems! Norwich is home to over 600 pubs so if shopping isn’t your thing then why not chill out with a beer or two whilst your partner shops, shops shops!! Just remember your credit card!
Family Fun!
Pleasurewood Hills is a fantastic theme park and kids will love it (not as much as the adults!). A mere 45 minute journey from the Oaklands and you will enter a world of rides, shows and quite simply FUN! For those who dare they have a brilliant selection of white knuckle rides which are sure to have you screaming for more! For those of you with children, there are plenty of family attractions for you to enjoy.
Pleasurewood Hills boasts lots of restaurants and cafe's but you can also take your own picnic - with plenty of places where you can sit down and chill out this is a great option.
There is so much to do at the park that we would reccomend you spend the day there and make the most of it - please do let us know if you would like to take a picnic and we will of course, get this prepared and ready for you to take with you!
Africa Alive .... would you believe it a taste of Africa in the middle of a nearby town - absolutely fantastic!
A fantastic day night for the family where you can get close to some truly amazing African animals. From lions to giraffes to rhinos to zebras to name just a few of what you can see while you're there!
Situated a mere 45 minute drive from the Oaklands Africa Alive never fails to deliver a fun day out and for those of us who have never been to Africa, this is a great opportunity to see the animals that you can usually only find in the land of the Sahara.
Bewilderwood is around 30 minutes from the Oaklands Hotel and is amazing for both children and adults alike! A fantastic adventure park with magical treehouses and intriguing characters making a day out so much fun!
The Breathtaking Norfolk Coast.
Truly breathtaking... from Sea Palling to Holkham Beach to Blakeney whether you're donning your swimwear in Summer or pulling on your waterproof coat and wellies, the beaches in Norfolk and beautiful!
We personally recommend Holkham which has arguably the best beach in England and offers stunning walks coupled with breathtaking scenery - make sure you do not miss out on the beauty of Holkham when you visit Norfolk. Blakeney is also a great place to spend time with the Blakeney Seal Trips proving to be a popular attraction in the region.
Norwich – a historical City
Norwich is a wonderful city which provides the heart of Norfolk, with a population of over 123,000. The city offers a mixture of history, shopping, entertainment and the all important Norwich City Football Club all rolled into one ever expanding city. Norwich is perfect for those looking to delve into the past of the city as it is home to some of the most popular historical attractions in the East of England.
Norwich Cathedral is well worth a visit, this Norman building has been standing for over 900 years and is a magnificent sight which towers over the city, dominating the skyline. Norwich Castle has been standing since the 12th century and its recently refurbished museum and art gallery holds many national treasures and collections. Another area of interest is the Forum which is where the tourist information, bbc, and library are located. Within the Forum you can experience ‘Origins’ a state of the art visitor attraction taking you on a journey of exploration over the past two thousand years.
Norwich is also home to over thirty churches some of which are still parish churches but others now have other uses. Norwich Arts Centre and the Norwich Puppet Theatre are both converted churches and add something special to Norwich City.
Norwich Castle, built by the Normans as a royal palace 900 years ago, Norwich Castle is now an art gallery and museum. The castle boasts an amazing collection of our history and really is a stunning landmark of Norwich.
A must visit for all age groups with a great Egyptian tomb offering a real feel for times gone by.
Norwich's vibrant nightlife
Norwich is a great place for a night out and with so many options, there is something to suit everyone! Ranging from cinemas, theatres, concerts, pubs, clubs and cafe we are also lucky to host concerts, exhibitions and festivals.
Tombland is a fantastic old part of Norwich and is a great place to start your night out!
For an up to date list of events happening in Norwich visit:
Nature and wildlife
There are an array of places around Norfolk where you can experience the county's nature and wildlife. You will find various National Trust sites to visit in Norfolk, chose from a visit to Blickling Hall, Anglesey Abbey or Sheringham Park.
Pensthorpe nature reserve which is set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside is a unique place to visit with miles of nature trails to explore through ancient fen meadows, woodland and a superb series of lakes. Banham Zoo is the biggest and best zoo in East Anglia with a vast array of animals from tigers to flamingos! Open all year round this makes a fantastic full day out.
Norwich's plantation garden is a grade II English Heritage registered garden. A fascinating 3 acre garden which boasts fountains, flower beds, lawns, terrace, walkways and a rustic bridge. Famous for its medieval wall, the Plantation Garden is a great place to sit back and watch the world go by.