Norwich Museums

(Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK)

The main museums of Norwich remember the city's past achievements, industries and history. At the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, visitors can learn about local Norfolk natural history and archaeology, as well as enjoying some wonderful paintings and the biggest collection of teapots on the planet.

If you are keen to make the most of your stay, then you may like to consider purchasing a Norfolk Museums Pass, which will enable you to enjoy unlimited free access to the city's museums for an entire year. This pass also permits fast track admission to Norwich Castle, allowing you to beat the regular lengthy queues during the peak season.

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

Address: Shirehall, Market Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JQ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01603 493625
The largest and most visited cultural attraction in the city, the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery has recently enjoyed a substantial refurbishment programme. When you arrive, you have a choice of tickets - one will allow you to access the museum itself and the castle keep, while another provides entry to the art gallery and natural history section. If you wish to see everything, then you can also purchase a combination ticket. The main museum area contains many well-documented exhibits about Norfolk archaeology and also features a number of dioramas, which illustrate Norfolk scenery and indigenous wildlife. Those arriving late in the afternoon may be able to take advantage of the 'pop in for a pound' offer, which takes place during the last hour before closing.
Open hours: September to late July, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00; late July and August, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 16 years old, seniors and families

Bridewell Museum

Address: Bridewell Alley, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1AQ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01603 629127
Formerly a prison for beggars (a 'Bridewell'), the Bridewell Museum celebrates the city's rich heritage and tells the story of how Norfolk has evolved over the past two centuries. Expect to find information about how the locals once earned their living, by milling, shoemaking and weaving, amongst other industries. Visitors will find that the museum is just a short walk from St. Andrew's Hall and stands on Bridewell Alley. Particular highlights include some examples of the colourful fabrics and textiles once produced in the city in enormous quantities, including shawls once worn by Queen Victoria herself. The building itself is Grade 1 listed and dates back to the early part of the 14th century, when it was the residence of a wealthy local merchant.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, seniors and families, children four years old and under are free

Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum

Address: Shirehall, Market Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JQ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01603 493649
The Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum contains an extensive collection of artefacts illustrating the regional regimental history over the past 300 years. Standing on Market Avenue and within the imposing red-brick building known as the Shirehall, close to the Castle Mound, this attraction is home to various uniforms, valuable medals (including two Victoria crosses), military paintings and WWII objects, such as ration tins and water-purification tablet tins. Various activities allow you to learn all about Florence Nightingale, life in the trenches during the First World War, and the children evacuated to Norfolk during the Second World War.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 16 years old, seniors and families, children four years old and under are free

City of Norwich Aviation Museum

Address: Old Norwich Road, Horsham St. Faith, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 3JF, England, UK
Tel: +44 01603 893080
Operated as a charitable trust and run by a team of dedicated volunteers since 1977, the City of Norwich Aviation Museum is situated in the northerly suburb of Horsham St. Faith, near to the city's very own international airport. Many important aircraft form the main aviation collection here and include an Avro Vulcan B2 (1964), a SEPECAT Jaguar GR1 (1972), a Gloster Meteor F8 (1952) and a Hawker Hunter F51 (1956). There are also numerous indoor displays about the local Royal Air Force and the surrounding divisions at Coltishall, Marham, Sculthorpe and Swanton Morley.
Open hours: April to October, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday and Bank Holidays 12:00 to 17:00; November to March, Wednesday and Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday and Bank Holidays - 11:00 to 15:00; closed late December to early January
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 15 years old, seniors and families (two adults and up to three children), children eight years old and under are free

John Jarrold Printing Museum

Address: Whitefriars, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1SH, England, UK
Established in the early 1980s, the John Jarrold Printing Museum is only open on Wednesday mornings and really is well worth a look, since it provides a fascinating insight into the past world of printing. The museum houses an array of printing related exhibits, which range from lithography stones, well-preserved 19th-century printing machines and hand typesetting equipment, right up to present day computers and software. Regular demonstrations provide the best way of understanding the origins of the humble book and printing industry.
Open hours: Wednesday - 09:30 to 12:30, special arrangements can be made for visits outside of opening hours
Admission: charge

Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum

Address: 15 Royal Arcade, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1NQ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01603 627889
This traditional Victorian-style shop explains the origins of the world-famous Colman's mustard, which dates back to 1814 and the Bawburgh Mill, located just 6 km / 4 miles to the north of Norwich. Located in the Royal Arcade and selling a variety of speciality mustards and related memorabilia, the Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum is an unusual attraction. The Mustard Shop was opened in 1973, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations by Colman's.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free