No burpees required. Norfolk’s natural environment could be the answer to a gentler approach to finding betterment and peace of mind in 2025 says Melanie Cook of VisitNorwich.co.uk
Every magazine you pick up in the New Year will be encouraging us to head to the gym when memberships peak and classes are bursting at the seams. And then come Easter, they are not.
I firmly believe that a gentler move towards exercise is kinder to our bodies (we don’t want to shock our systems coming straight out of Christmas) which in turn is sustainable to keep on track with. So, my recommendations for 2025? I’ve taken a closer look at the natural world around us; Norfolk offers us endless opportunities to breathe clean, fresh air and witness amazing wildlife across our diverse landscapes. And the incentive? Our changing seasons.
Because this new regime is for well beyond January. As we traverse the county, we’ll witness bare branches turning into incredible blossoms. And sparce brown hedgerows becoming bushy green boundaries, not forgetting delicate spring crocuses, snowdrops and pretty bluebells. Then it’s soft green, spongy grass as we head into summer, followed by the stunning reds and gold of autumn as we head into the rest of the year.
Here we go.
For urbanites and lovers of Norwich’s incredible architecture and history, I’m suggesting heading to VisitNorwich.co.uk (visitnorwich.co.uk/free-sightseeing-in-norwich/) and scrolling down the page to Wandering Words.
Commissioned by the National Centre for Writing, follow the link to their website to seven locations in Norwich where seven amazing writers have penned poems for seven locations!
Each is a site-specific soundscape offering a different perspective from the one that perhaps you already know – locations include Plantation Garden, The Herb Garden at Norwich Cathedral, and Julian of Norwich Church. Norwich is very proudly England’s first UNESCO City of Literature and Wandering Words came about as a celebration of this for its 10th anniversary in 2022.
If you want to head to the coast then my suggestion would be joining Walking Women (free) who meet on the first Tuesday of every month for a walk either on the beach at Holkham, Wells or at Holkham Park (www.holkham.co.uk/whats-on/walking-women/). Designed with wellness at its heart these walks are great for meeting new people, savouring breaths of salty sea air and giving us an appreciation for our beautiful coast- all year round.
In the Broads, I recommend purchasing an annual membership for Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden (£45) to enjoy 12 months of free entry as well as a plethora of other benefits including free events, wild water swimming and discounts to special days and evenings throughout the year. Next in their calendar is their Star Night (Saturday 1 February; 6.30pm – 10.30pm; £10, members £7.50, child tickets available too), for an enchanting celestial journey with astro photographer Shaun Reynolds and friends affiliated with Norwich Astronomy.
There will be talks, telescopes, and phone and computer apps to unveil the night sky as well as a starlit canopy in the courtyard. Plus, the café will be open for warming drinks and food. This is followed by their Dawn Chorus (Saturday 5 April; 6.15am; £29.50, members £19.95) for a joyous “stunning songs of dawn guided tour” followed by a full English buffet breakfast. Marvellous.
If you want to work on yourself from top to toe, then Yantra Studio on King Street close to Dragon Hall in Norwich might be the place for you. They offer a full range of yoga, barre fusion, Pilates, hot yoga and special event classes which includes gong baths for deep sound healing meditation. The varying benefits of all these classes are huge, and they cater for all abilities. Prices are varied due to one off classes, monthly and multiple visits and start at £15 with lots of options for bulk buying which brings the price down.
For those who prefer nourishment through culture then book tickets (£10) to see Norwich: A Love Story, a storytelling show by John Osborne at the unique venue of The Museum of Norwich. Fresh from a sell-out show at Norwich Playhouse this is a story full of love, secrets and the history of the market stalls, bars and shops in our fine city. It’s also a chance to experience this gem of a museum after dark (17 January, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, show 60 minutes).
Then on 19 January (10am – 4pm), the hugely popular Indian Street Food Carnival (Winter 2025) returns. Offered by Namaste Village on Queens Road, Norwich – this a feast for the soul. Expect vibes of India’s street food markets with the irresistible aromas of spices and flavours. From savoury chaats to crispy pakoras; delectable dosa to aromatic biryanis; Indo-Chinese to Bombay specials. And even more attractive is that in order to cater to a diverse audience, food prices start at £1! Tickets cost £3.96 on Event Brite via their website namastevillage.co.uk/events/.
So, if January is when we gently exercise our bodies and positively
feed our emotions, what’s February bringing us?
Norwich Science Festival by The Forum has to be one of Norwich’s best success stories with an annual packed programme of events and discoveries for absolutely every age. 2025 is its 9th birthday, taking place Saturday 15 –Saturday 22 February, with great events and a mix of paid for and free tickets.
Steve Backshall MBE and Dame Darcey Bussell will headline. On the first day of the Festival (Saturday 15 Feb), Steve Backshall will share his awe-inspiring encounters with whales in a dedicated talk for families and children at the University of East Anglia – exploring the threats that these magnificent creatures face and offering tips on how we can all play a role in protecting them.
Then in the evening, Steve will be in conversation with local evolutionary biologist and Norwich Science Festival patron, Prof Ben Garrod where the pair will dive into some of Steve’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences and the vital conservation work he’s so passionate about. Tickets £20, UEA.
The Festival will close (Saturday 22 Feb) with a glittering evening of conversation and dance between legendary Dame Darcey Bussell and Dr. Peter Lovatt at Norwich Theatre Royal, known affectionately as Dr. Dance!
Together, they will explore the transformative impact of dance and movement on our mental well-being. With Darcey’s ballet expertise and Peter’s psychological insights, this
event is a must-see for fans of dance. Tickets £23.
But of course, between these two events there will be plenty of other stuff including the magical atmosphere of the Explorer Dome, a fabulous popular half term event (Saturday 15 – Wednesday 19 Feb, £8, ages 3-12 years). This is a planetarium that will transport visitors to new worlds, including inside the human digestive system and into the far-flung world of the Solar System!
The Explorium is literarily the heart of the festival, sitting inside The Forum and out. With free entrance, this is an exciting and vibrant place to get stuck into some hands-on science! With exhibitors changing every day, there’s reason to visit for the entire festival. Explore the incredible research happening right here in Norwich, learn about the wonders of local wildlife, or test your own scientific skills in free, hands-on activities, challenges and games.
Other free family events include Yum or Yuck? The Science of Taste (Sunday, 16 February), Nellie’s Autistic Brain (17 February), Food Scientists to the Rescue! (Relaxed Performance, 18 February), and Food Scientists to the Rescue! (various dates).
Dr. Jess French and Prof. Ben Garrod are back with the ever-popular Animal Top Trumps show (Sunday 16 Feb, £8, 5 years +, The Blake Studio Norwich School) – and this time, it’s Little Vs. Large in an epic showdown!
Lastly, tickets for the early release shows at Norfolk & Norwich Festival are available to buy. Tours of the Guildhall are until April and cost £5. These tours are always very popular so if you fancy it, book quickly via their site (https://nnfestival.org.uk/).
One of their headliners in 2025 is Showdown (14 – 25 May 2025) – seven extraordinary acrobats but only one winner; contemporary circus with humour. It’s described as “part talent show, part beauty pageant, with a touch of the Hunger Games”. Tickets cost between £10 and £28 at the Adnams Spiegeltent.
For booking details and other events go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk.