Norwich Cathedral, Norwich, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

Norwich Cathedral is the Norman cathedral of Norwich, Norfolk, begun in 1096 and built largely in pale stone over the following decades. Its spire, added in 1480, is the second tallest cathedral spire in the UK, and its cloisters are among the finest in England. It is the best place to understand how the Normans reshaped the city.

The story behind it

After the Norman Conquest, Norwich changed fast. The new rulers began building the castle and the cathedral in the late 11th century, and a French-speaking quarter grew up around what is now the market area. The cathedral's construction began in 1096 and the main building was finished around 1145, which makes it one of the most complete Norman cathedrals in the country.

The spire has a troubled history. Earlier spires were lost over the centuries, and the one you see today dates from about 1480. The cloisters, with their carved roof bosses, are a highlight of the medieval stonework here. Norwich School, which traces its roots to the same Norman period, still sits within the Cathedral Close.

What to look for

• Look up at the spire from the Close. It is the second tallest cathedral spire in the UK, and the contrast with the solid Norman tower beneath it is striking.
• Walk the cloisters and study the carved roof bosses, small sculpted scenes set at the meeting points of the vaults.
• Notice the creamy colour of the stonework and the heavy round arches inside the nave, typical of Norman building.
• Stand in the Cathedral Close and take in the old gateways and houses around the grounds, which give a sense of the cathedral's long life as a community.

Tips for your visit

• Allow at least an hour if you want to go inside and walk the cloisters, and longer if you like to linger over details.
• Entry has traditionally been free, but check current opening hours and any visiting rules before you go, as services and events can limit access.
• Go earlier in the day for quieter cloisters, and look at the spire in good light from across the Close.
• Tombland, Elm Hill and the market are all a short walk away, so the cathedral fits easily into a wider walk through the old city.

See it on a quest

Medieval Norwich Walking Tour: A Stranger Escape Game brings you to the cathedral on foot as one stop of a longer route through medieval Norwich. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot, so you look at the building properly. One ticket covers the whole group.

Timeline Tour of Norwich places the cathedral in the longer story of the city, as one stop among many along the route. At each place the app gives you the background and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever suits you.