Top Norwich Historical Tours

Learn about a nastier side of Norwich’s history that most tourists will never discover on this group walking tour. Instead of shying away from the darker side of the city’s past, this tour takes you through the tough stuff as you check out major sights like Norwich Cathedral, The Great Hospital, and more.

Choose between four unique walking tours and explore the storied past of Colchester with an expert guide. The tour leader will be a trained Colchester Council-recognized Guide and full member of The Colchester Tourist Guide Association (CTGA). So, from tales of ghosts and witches to the history of Romans in the area, you can bet they know their stuff.

Step beneath the streets of Norwich and uncover the remains of a hidden medieval street on this unique guided underground tour. Your experience begins in the heart of Norwich city centre, where you’ll meet your expert guide and hear the fascinating story of how an ordinary shoe shop concealed a forgotten medieval street for decades. After a short introduction, you’ll descend below street level, exploring layers of architecture dating back hundreds of years. As you explore the atmospheric remains of the underground street and 15th-century dwellings, your guide will bring Norwich’s past to life with stories of merchants, prisoners, rebels and everyday people who once lived and worked here. Discover how the city became one of the most important and wealthy places in medieval England through its booming wool trade and weaving industry. Along the route, you’ll encounter original architectural features, hidden undercrofts, remnants of old shopfronts and spaces untouched for generations.

Created by a dedicated researcher with a passion for uncovering the unique history of coastal towns, this atmospheric audio tour explores the storied past of a seaside champion. While standard tours stick to dry scripts and tourist-heavy piers, this digital experience leads you along the rugged 100-million-year-old coastline and through the quiet backstreets where Cromer’s true character is found. The narrative highlights tales of daring maritime rescues and local legends like the suffragette Emily Davison. Using smart GPS technology, the authentic commentary and local insights play automatically as you walk, functioning entirely offline to ensure a seamless exploration without data concerns. By the time you pass the historic Red Lion Hotel and stand before the towering spire of Cromer Parish Church, the town’s heritage will have transformed into a vivid, personal history. You will leave the walk feeling less like a visitor and more like a true Norfolk insider.

Lots of tours employ comedy to get you learning and laughing, and there are plenty of ghost walks out there to choose from, but not many of them combine the two. With this spooky Norwich walking tour, you get the best of both worlds as your guide shares heaps of local history and takes you to the city’s (allegedly) most haunted spots.

Discover Norwich’s hidden gems that most tourists miss whilst solving clues and decoding puzzles with this treasure hunt-style. Explore the city’s medieval and Tudor landmarks, including Norwich Cathedral and the Market Place, as you learn about its rich history. Perfect for travelers looking for a unique take on a typical walking tour. Available in English and Dutch.

Norwich is an ancient city and religious centre, boasting two cathedrals and dozens of medieval churches. The people of Norwich, however, are anything but traditional. On this walking tour, you’ll hear the stories of the dissidents and rebels who stood up for what they believed in, sometimes paying a very high price for their convictions. The tour starts outside Norwich Cathedral, a beautiful example of Norman architecture founded in 1096 by bishop Herbert de Losinga. You’ll enter Tombland (old English for “Empty Space”), an ancient market area where you’ll hear about its surprising past. You’ll wind your way through the old city centre, past lots of tempting cafés, restaurants, and independent shops en route to Norwich Castle. You’ll follow the banks of the River Wensum, as you make your way towards a brick artillery tower called Cow Tower that was built in 1398 to protect the city.

Set sail on a high-speed jet boat from South Pier in Lowestoft, and head either north or south (depending on conditions) to enjoy panoramic views of the coast. Spot seabirds and marine life, and experience the thrill of sailing at speed with your experienced skipper. Learn about the maritime history of the area and hear stories about notable local people who once lived here.

Discover the rich history of Colchester with guided tours that bring 2000 years of heritage to life. Join our knowledgeable guides as you stroll through the historic streets, learning about the Roman legions, the largest Norman castle keep in Europe, and the events of the Civil War. Experience an exclusive visit to one of the few Roman theatres in Britain and delve into tales of Boudicca's rebellion. Perfect for history buffs and families alike, our regular walks are available three times a week or can be customized for private groups. - Regular tours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11:00 AM - Personal tours available for a minimum of two people at any time - Explore themed walks including Medieval, Tudor, and Haunted Colchester - Ticket prices: £18 for adults, £8 for children under 16

This walking tour offers a seamless journey through Norwich’s rich past and vibrant present, combining iconic landmarks such as Norwich Cathedral and Norwich Castle with hidden gems like Elm Hill and the picturesque River Wensum. Guests experience a perfect balance of history, architecture, and local culture, all within a compact and easy-to-enjoy route led at a comfortable pace. By blending storytelling with scenic stops and authentic city highlights, this tour creates an engaging and memorable experience that brings Norwich to life—making it an ideal choice for visitors who want to discover the city’s character.

The year is 300 CE. You are Antonius, a Roman diplomat summoned to Camulodunum. The governor suspects a murder plot and needs your help. Four conspirators, a poison, and a body disposal plan are hidden across Britain's oldest recorded town. Solve 10 puzzles at Roman landmarks. Count chariot gates at Britain's only Roman Circus. Decode clues at the largest surviving gateway. Spot a hidden rose in a 1,800-year-old mosaic that reveals the murder weapon. Download the Questo app, activate with your booking code, and start at Butt Road Car Park. No guide needed, just your phone, clues and a map in the app. Play as a team of up to 3 or solo. Discover why Claudius may have arrived on a war elephant, where a secret cult worshipped underground by oil lamp, and how a mosaic was once a Roman status symbol bigger than any sports car. About 80 minutes, 10 stops, 3.5 km across Colchester. Available 9am to 4pm. Perfect for history lovers and mystery fans exploring a Roman assassination plot.

Explore Colchester the fun way, playing the Lost Centurion cellphone game in the style of an escape room mission. As psychic investigator Exodus Hinge, follow clues left by a Roman centurion, unlocking stories about Colchester’s history. The game lasts around 1.5 hours and is best played during daytime hours. For the best experience, book one ticket each, although you can share a phone.

Enjoy a circular walk, starting at the centre of West Mersea to the historic harbour, and along part of the coastline. This exploration game takes in some of Mersea Island's best sights, with challenges at every stop. These challenges range from easy to fiendish. But don't forget, you can use the hints if you need them! After your booking, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. We recommend that each user purchases a ticket for an optimal experience.

The perfect tour for any fan of maritime history or sea-faring exploits, this tour of Lewstoft harbor takes in all the sites in and around the harbor. Sail out into the bay, and find wrecks and historic vessels — as well as working ones — you wouldn’t see from land. Learn about the history of Lowestoft and its connections to fishing, trade and the sea.

Discover one of Norwich’s most unusual underground spaces on this guided small-group tour. Begin above ground on Upper St Giles Street, once known as the ‘Harley Street of Norwich’, and uncover stories of the prominent people who lived and worked in this historic part of the city. Then descend beneath the street into a vast, atmospheric space originally created as a merchant’s wine cellar in the 1700s. Discover how it later became a rifle range and hear the stories connected to this long-hidden site. Closed away for decades and rarely seen by the public, the Old Rifle Range offers a fascinating new perspective on the history hidden beneath Norwich.

Chase the hidden powers discovered in Colchester with the ElectroMagnetica - Secret Forces Unveiled outdoor escape game. Navigate through the city's historic streets while uncovering the groundbreaking experiments of the man who revealed the Earth’s magnetic powers. This interactive adventure invites players to engage with the environment, using a guided app to discover virtual clues linked to significant landmarks. With puzzles designed for collaboration and insight, this experience nurtures curiosity and teamwork, making it perfect for families, friends, or corporate groups seeking a unique challenge in a real-world setting.