After a long wait we can look forward to plenty of things to do this Easter says Melanie Cook of www.VisitNorwich.co.uk
I’ve missed Easter. In fact, we’ve all missed it – the last two to be exact. And whilst many of us probably did still get gifted our weight in chocolate – and successfully got through it in 48 hours or less, this year we’re able to get out and about. Now we can exercise all those bonus calories off as attractions, restaurants and places of interest open their doors. So, what do we have to look forward to?
Days Out
A day spent in Norwich is one well spent. Wander through Norwich Market for delicious street food from around the world. Tuck into tasty authentic Chilean empanadas at Cocina Mia (stall 152-153) or amazing pies from Walsingham Farm Shop (Row F, Stalls 124/125) or be tempted by Coral Bay who serve home-cooked tasty Jamaican cuisine with dishes like Jerk Chicken, Curried Goat and Vegan Sweet potato curry (Row D, Stall 84).
Then head to Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery where in addition to the Wider World Gallery, Natural History Galleries, Decorative Arts, Timothy Gurney temporary exhibitions gallery and The Egyptian collections, there is a new exhibition to see. Yelena Popova: Ode to a Flint runs between 12 March–10 July and is a reimagining of The Scholar Stones Project for Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery through painting, tapestry and installation. During the school holidays there will be special activities for families based around the exhibition (included in the entry price to the castle).
End the day with a mooch around the shops or tea and cake at any number of fabulous places like The Ivy, The Cosy Club, Café 33 or The Cuppie Hut newly opened on St Giles. Or even maybe a sneaky gelato or sorbet at the ever-popular Café Gelato on Opie Street.
If you’re out with the family between 2–19 April head to Chantry Place for their Easter Eggstravaganza trail. Find 12 eggs in shops’ windows, solve the clue to make an Easter word and be in with a chance of winning a prize worth over £120 which includes a £100 voucher for Byron, a chocolate egg from Hotel Chocolat and a cute Jellycat bunny rabbit.
Other things to do in Norwich include Norwich Ghost Walks which are back on most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 April. Now celebrating 25 years, a ghost-hunter host will take you on a journey through the most haunted areas of Norwich. Hear tales of the many lost spirits and poltergeists who are still seen – and heard – to this day! All tickets are £12 and leave from the Adam & Eve pub.
Cheryl Cade is an award-wining independent tour guide based in Norwich and as a beer and cheese expert, Cheryl’s participants explore the history of the area alongside its food and drink. In April book a tour with a difference, take The Gin Tour (1 & 22 April, £47.99 which includes 5 G&Ts over 3.5 hours) and The Saturday Cheese Tour (2 & 23 April, £15 – £20) is a must for cheese lovers. Taking 2 hours between St Giles Pantry in Upper St Giles to Norwich Market, you sample four different cheeses and enjoy two drinks.
Holkham Hall always has a smorgasbord of delightful things to do for all ages, and this Easter there’s plenty to look forward to. Visit their Easter Food, Drink & Gift Market from 15–17 April (10am – 4pm, tickets adult £2, children £1). Where you’ll find local and regional artisan producers showcasing their best produce, gifts and crafts. With a delicious range of food and drink, from homemade jams, chutneys and cheeses, to fresh bread and a mix of favourite beers, ciders and spirits as well as gifts and crafts from some of the region’s most talented makers.
Head to Holkham Hall during the school holidays between 2–19 April and keep the kids entertained with Storytelling with Paul Jackson, Crafting in the Old Kitchen, The Sounds of Spring, Flowers and Foliage and Eggscapees!
Then in the Walled Garden, enjoy Cracking Crafts in the Ed Shed, fun and games in the Events Room, a Clued up Easter Hunt, Get Growing Trail and Charlie Cheesecake and his marvellous and magnificent magic show. All are included in standard admission. Finally in The Park there are a host of paid for activities from cycle hire to a Ropes Course. Full details for all they offer can be found at www.Holkham.co.uk.
Pensthorpe Natural Park recently won Best Large Attraction at the East of England Tourism Awards- and it is indeed a very worthy winner. This Easter between 2-19 April their Great Easter Eggsploration includes a hunt for all types of eggs which can be found around the park. This includes a family-fun egg hunt and a mini treasure hunt around WildRootz outdoor play, free arts and crafts activities and Pensthorpe’s Explorer Tours. Entry to the park is £13.95 adults, £11.95 children, and under 3s free.
Easter Theatre
Norwich Puppet Theatre is a gem of a theatre in Norwich and has two shows for the family this Easter. Red Riding Hood (2, 5-10 April, tickets £9, family of 4 £32). Shows are at 11am for all ages, with shows at 2.30pm for ages 4+, with both performances on 5 April relaxed and the Friday afternoon show captioned.
The Elves and the Shoemaker takes place on Saturday 16 April at 11am and 2.30pm with tickets priced £9 and a family of 4 £32.
The Puppet Theatre isn’t just about performance it’s also about learning and making. This Easter they offer a family workshop – What Comes Out of an Egg? on 8, 9 and 15 April at various times including a relaxed session (ages 4+ – adult). With a Mythical Mates Children’s Workshop on 6 and 7 April for children ages 6+. Tickets are £9.50 per participant, per workshop.
If you are looking for something to do with the children for longer, take advantage of their 4-day Puppet Club: Fairy Tales (11–14 April, 10am–2pm, ages 7–11), priced at £80 per child.
At Norwich Theatre Royal see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe between 5–9 April (tickets £42 – £23). And for the adults have a night of laughs with Nish Kumar – Control (10 April, £23). Wuthering Heights is a National Theatre, Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal co-production and a show with music, dance, passion and hope. Tickets cost £37.50 – £25.50 between 12 and 16 April. Finally see Milkshake Live! on 17 April (tickets £18) and at Norwich Playhouse The Smartest Giant in Town between 16–18 April (tickets £12).
At Bure Valley Railway the Easter Eggspress returns between 2–18 April with tickets costing £16 for adults, £8 for children (up to 15 years) and with under 5’s free. On completion of the Easter Trail, every child receives a free Easter egg!
Finally, Deepdale Farm in North Norfolk has a host of things to do over the Easter period with theatre, a guided walk, pop up shops and workshops. See The Pantaloons present Great Expectations (16 April, £13.30 adults, £8 under 16s, family of 4 £37). And shop to your heart’s content at ‘Not on the High Street’ artisans between 7–12 April and 14–19 April.
For more inspiration for wonderful things to see and do in Norwich and Norfolk as well as places to stay, eat and shop go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk