If you’re looking for a day out in Norwich, you will find that Norwich is a very compact and safe UK city. It is possible to walk quite easily from one attraction to another. A good starting point is Norwich Castle. You can’t miss the castle, so it’s a good way to get your bearings. There are tours around the battlements, a café, a museum and you can wander around the castle itself, with interactive children’s games in the dungeon (yes, the dungeon!) and the other inside castle rooms.

For those interested in the military, you can also access the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum from the castle.

Castle Mall, one of Norwich's Shopping Centres, provides a range of shops and refreshments, then a short walk across the road are the lanes leading to Norwich market, with its brightly coloured rooftops and stalls selling everything from sea food to shoes. The market is in the heart of Norwich’s shopping centre.

On your way, you will pass through the Royal Arcade where you can pop into the Colman Mustard Museum.  

On one side of the market, you will find the Norwich Lanes.

This huge selection of independent shops helps to make Norwich one of the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK. From the Norwich Lanes, you can visit the ancient cobbled street of Elm Hill, Tombland and Norwich Cathedral. The Cathedral has beautiful cloisters and a modern café, so is well worth a visit.

You can also find Norwich museums such as Strangers Hall, The Bridewell (due to re-open summer 2011) along with children’s indoor activities at the Inspire Discovery Centre.

Returning to Norwich market you will find the newest part of Norwich – the Forum and Chapelfield Shopping Mall at the top of the square.

The Forum is a modern glass fronted building containing a café, gift shop, tourist information centre, exhibition space, a restaurant and the busiest library in the UK.

Wander a little further and you will find the wonderful Dragon Hall, a medieval trading hall, now a museum and venue, which often provides children’s holiday activities.

Plantation Garden is another hidden gem in Norwich. Situated a short distance behind the Roman Catholic Cathedral, you can park at Beeches Hotel, then stroll around this hidden garden.

Other things to do in Norwich include ice skating, Bowls, Bowling, skiing, sailing and walking in Whitlingham, river walkways, and the new skate park in Eaton.

There are lots of things to do in Norwich – if you think we’ve missed something out, then please leave a comment below or e-mail us on Norwich@thebestof.co.uk.