Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral
4.5
Architectural BuildingsChurches & Cathedrals
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
“Norfolk’s favourite building”Founded in 1096 and built using Normandy stone shipped from Caen, Norwich Cathedral is set in the 44 acre Cathedral Close, a peaceful city centre sanctuary.The Cathedral itself is one of the finest complete Romanesque buildings in Europe, with the highest Norman tower and largest monastic cloisters in England. Inside, the Cathedral tells almost 1000 years of history, with our enthusiastic volunteers on hand to talk you through the incredible stories of its past.There is more to see at Norwich Cathedral than you think. Our award-winning 21st century Refectory restaurant is open seven days a week, as is the Hostry which features a rolling programme of exhibitions, many of them featuring local artists.You can also experience the tranquillity of our expansive Library, Herb Garden or Japanese Garden, as well as guided tours of the building throughout the week.Afterwards, feel free to explore the lanes of the Cathedral Close, a quaint village just minutes from the bustling city centre, and stop for a picnic on one of our many well kept greens. Norwich Cathedral is a living centre for worship, learning and hospitality, extending a warm welcome to all our visitors from Norfolk and beyond.Part of the Norwich 12 - An initiative of Norwich Heritage, Economic & Regeneration Trust.
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  • LondonHappyhols
    Hornchurch, United Kingdom124 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Cathedral
    We visited on a blustery, cold January day but the church was warm and inviting. So many interesting items to look at and explore. I think it may have been a Benedictine monastery at some point? We really loved the cloister area. Bought some nice bits in the gift shop. Really lovely, friendly staff. We left £20 in the donation box as we thought it was well it for the few interesting hours we spent in The Cathedral.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 February 2024
  • David K
    United Kingdom615 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Norwich Cathedral
    Free to get in, But donations accepted, A stunning cathedral with lots to see. I had a guided tour which I recommend, Its last approximately 1hr but the Gentleman was so knowledgeable it's well worth it,And it's free..He told us in the group to look out for the Graffiti markings left by some of the stonemasons and monks and he pointed out a few markings that I wouldn't have seen. From the floor to the ceiling the artitecture is excellent. We stayed mainly on the ground floor but there's still much to see from chapels to the knaves , There is a toliet and a cafe on site.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 12 February 2024
  • seniors-travelling
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Norwich - a real town with fascinating architecture.
    Norwich was surprisingly a highlight of my 10 days in Britain. If you can afford it, the Maid's Head hotel is very close to major attractions: a short stroll to the Cathedral and 800+ year old street of remarkable houses. A fairly compact historic district for those of us, like me, who can't do long walks. Generally people were friendly and helpful. It's not tarted up for tourists, the ancient town is vibrant and commercially viable. I extended my stay here to four nights. One caveat - although I was there on Ash Wednesday, many of the smaller churches were not open. The big ones are (and are free, as opposed to Ely).
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 22 February 2024
  • Peter R
    Dartford, United Kingdom1,371 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Cathedral
    It was lovely to find that entry to the cathedral was free and was then down to you to decide whether to make a donation. We arrived as a tour of the cathedral was starting which we joined. The guy who for an hour showed us many highlights of the cathedral which on your own you would miss, was very knowledgeable and had a great way of explaining about the cathedral which kept everyone interested. Once the tour had finished, we spent another hour of so looking around the cathedral at the cloisters, Edith Cavell’s grave and the treasures/relics. There is a small refectory onsite.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 29 February 2024
  • MH1950
    London, United Kingdom19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An excellent visit
    Beautiful Cathedral. An excellent tour of the Cathedral by a lady with extensive knowledge, a soothing voice, a gentle manner and kindly sense of humour. The greeters at the door very friendly and welcoming, and informative. Free entry and tour, happy to donate at one of the donation points.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 March 2024
  • APS
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana155 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and historic church
    Hard to believe that the church has 900+ years of history. Stunning architecture, incredibly serene, and humbling to walk around. As an American, the church reminds you how young the USA is in comparison to history this deep. There are multiple burial plots/graves that alone make the USA seem like a newborn on the world stage. We should have spent more time here.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 March 2024
  • Hardwick
    44 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A 1000 years of history
    An amazing building steeped in history which was brought to life by our excellent cathedral guide. Regular free tours given throughout the day. Ours lasted about 85 minutes and was relaxed and informative and we were shown small historical details that we would never have seen ourselves. There was a suggested donation of £5 per adult entering but with a light touch and it was totally value for money and worthwhile to support such a beautiful building. Seek out the history of the copper font! It’s a great story.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 April 2024
  • Christoph H
    Braunschweig, Germany130 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Delicious tea, coffee and cake in the Refectory
    Architecturally impressive, just from its dimensions, with a length of 140 meters. The choir stalls are also worth seeing. Don't miss the Evensong, great voices and the cathedral "comes to life" then. A recommendation: the Refectory with tea, coffee and cake, you are served by very nice young people and it tastes good.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 April 2024
  • Superhuey
    La Paz, Bolivia47 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Majestic
    As Cathedrals go, this was much larger than I expected and beautifully maintained inside. The very friendly staff that greet in reception were helpful and we enjoyed our walk around. The place is steeped in history. Poignant also to view the resting place of the WW1 heroine, Edith Cavell. Well worth a visit.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 April 2024
  • tractorboy59
    Lymington, United Kingdom327 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful tour
    Took the free tour with an excellent guide Robert. A fascinating hour where we learned so much about this beautiful building . Great detail and great history. Well worth a donation of £5 each. And the refectory is nice too !
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 11 April 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles4,214 reviews
Excellent
3,130
Very good
931
Average
107
Poor
25
Terrible
21

wkdpink44
London, UK1,011 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Couples
We visited the cathedral on Saturday in the early evening. It was fairly quiet which was great for walking around and taking photos. The dark nights and ambient lighting gave the place an eerie and mysterious feel.
I’ve visited many cathedrals and churches all over the UK and Europe (including Rome/Vatican City/Prague) and although mostly very similar in design, this one has a nice cloister which made it stand out from others.
I picked up a welcome guide leaflet which gave detailed information on the different areas and artefacts in the cathedral, available in different languages, it is definitely worth picking up at the start of your visit.
Entrance is free, so we put a small donation in the collection boxes on exit. Unfortunately, the souvenir shop was closed as we would have liked to have bought a little trinket for our memory box. Nonetheless, a must visit site if you are a tourist in the area and enjoy history.
Written 30 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Penelope
43 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Magnificant cathedral. The building has a fascinating history and I would highly recommend the guided tours to learn about it! Both the tours and entry to the cathedral are free, with no need to book ahead. This cathedral boasts the second tallest spire in the UK (with Salisbury coming in first), which is unique as it is also home to a group of falcons! The cathedral is huge - I'd recommend taking at least 1.5 hours here including a tour - and is very welcoming to people from all faiths. I am not religious but still enjoyed participating in a short prayer with the chaplain. Must see's in this cathedral include the font (which was previously used in a chocolate factory!), the small fragments of the original ceiling paintings remaining (including artwork depicting the construction of the cathedral), the pelican lectern, and the cloister (where you can see the history of the monks who lived here).
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Penelope. Hope to see you again soon.
Written 21 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie S
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023
On visiting Norwich today we were pleasantly surprised to find it is free to enter the Cathedral and even more so that you can have a free tour. Our guide was excellent, he really was very knowledgeable and had so many interesting facts about the city, the people that built the Cathedral and he weaved life in and out of the information he shared. Whether you’re a believer or not, it cannot be doubted this is a beautiful place, a building of delightful architecture and antiquities, a very special place. As we were guided around the Cathedral, what we saw was spectacular.
We were very happy to make a donation and other Cathedrals and Minsters would learn a lot from Norwich. Free to enter makes it so accessible. Surely it is better that people can experience such places and pay what they can afford than be put off by expensive entrance fees. It made my day, in fact, it made my holiday. Thank you Norwich.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elspeth R
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
I have been popping in here for 30 years and it is my favourite in the country (and I have been to almost all). I have had positive experiences, not only because it's an amazing building and Close, but because it feels kind and open. They have never charged entry - thank you! - and that lack of pressure makes you feel more like donating, when you are able, or supporting their shop or cafe. It means that it's a safe space to come to celebrate when you are in joy and feel comfort when you are not, and that there's no financial barrier to doing so. This church isn't collecting visitor's details like those who do so to give out passes. It also means that (unless there's a service of course) you can walk straight in!

The Close feels like a place for everyone; it gave succour during lockdowns, and has been a place to picnic, liaise, lunch, chill, and the best way to walk between the station/river and the City centre. The signs are non bossy: "Thank you for not parking here" and "Please keep off the grass to allow it to grow for a while". I've not felt bossed inside either.

When you're asked nicely, you gladly assent and it makes good feeling and impression and is a great witness and service to the community and visitors.

This is a very special place and I never tire of seeing it, within and without

It feels like an old friend
Written 26 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arielcrimp
Chichester, UK10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
We were welcomed on entry to the Cathedral by a lovely lady who directed us to a counter where you can get information about the cathedral and make a voluntary contribution.
They suggest £5 per person or £12 per family, but it is voluntary.
It was a lovely surprise that it was dog friendly as we were on holiday with our two pugs.
They offer free hourly guided tours.
The cathedral is vast, impressive and very interesting.
There is also a refectory which we did not use, and a lovely gift shop.
Written 15 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AvidTraveler12
Winchester, UK1,825 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
Located in the heart of Norwich stands the cathedral. Firstly the cathedral close is worth exploring full of Victorian and Georgian architecture.
The cathedral itself founded in 1096 is well preserved, there is no admission fee, but you are expected to give a donation. First thing you should do is look up at the magnificent fan-vaulted roof, the organ which is in the cathedral centre and many more highlights.
A very nice guide who was sitting down took pity on us and gave us a detailed 45 minute tour, the cathedral has a very interesting history.
Written 2 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you enjoyed your visit. The fan-vaulted ceiling is very special. Hope you can come and see us again soon.
Written 22 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

James D
Norwich, UK18 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2024 • Solo
My rating for the refectory cafe would be 2, largely due to the casual, offhand and generally dreadful service from the young people who notionally work there. They are much more interested in gossiping and flirting than actually doing the job they, apparently, get paid for. I thought at first they were simply volunteers, which be something of an explanation but no someone actually pays them!
I appreciate that this sort of part time job can be boring but if you don't like it, do us all a favour, and don't do it..Go home!
Written 22 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tasty
Scunthorpe, UK7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
Recently, me and my family went for a day out in Norwich and obviously one of the main attractions of Norwich is it's famous cathedral and let me tell you it is absolutely incredible

If you are a fan of learning about history of the cathedral and the religion or you are there visiting because you are part of the religion. The stained glass windows and the aterfacts inside that building are incredible. It is free to enter for a non guided tour when I visited, I think guided tours cost money but I am not 100 percent sure on that. At the time when I visited there was a opera concert taking place at a later time and they were practicing for it and they sounded amazing (obviously they don't have too many concerts so you probably won't get to experience it)

Thanks for reading this review and if you visit Norwich cathedral hopefully you enjoy it!
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

joannie448
Gloucestershire, UK132 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Family
This is a gem of a place to visit. There are guided tours if you arrive at the right time but even if you don't make it the volunteer guides are very knowledgeable and helpful. Admission is free but the cathedral relies on donations towards its very expensive upkeep.
Written 30 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simon G
Bedford67 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
Went to see the cathedral today and only saw about half. The other half was only available if you saw the dinosaur which had a long queue to get in. Whilst fully supporting anything that helps encourage people to see buildings like this, today's arrangements were ridiculous. We came a long way to see the cathedral and making this conditional on seeing a dinosaur is absolutely crass and frankly shows the cathedral authorities in very poor light. They need to get a grip, encourage visitors of course but do NOT link access to a viewing a dinosaur. A bad PR blunder.
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Norwich Cathedral

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