10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Norwich

Norwich Market is the largest permanent open-air market in England. Located on the pedestrianised Gentleman’s Walk in central Norwich, it has been around since Norman times. There are over 200 stalls that retain a traditional vibe despite regular refurbishments over the years.

You can wander through row upon row of specialist stalls selling everything from antiques to flowers. You can also snack on local delicacies from its many pop-up food trucks. Norwich Market is a good place to buy ingredients for a picnic, thanks to local vendors offering fresh bread, homemade chutneys, local cheeses, and cured meats.

The Norwich Lanes is a buzzing shopping quarter that has independent stores and boutiques, along with several large department stores in its centre.

The picturesque quarter is a network of narrow streets. Most – like the delightfully named Lobster Lane and Lower Goat Lane – are pedestrianised, with some featuring colourful buildings, such as Timberhill. Norwich Lanes has plenty of specialist stores, vintage shops, fashion retailers, and gift merchandisers. You can also find a vibrant nightlife scene, thanks to quaint pubs, cocktail bars and international restaurants livening up the streets after sunsets.

Jarrold is an iconic department store on London Street, just opposite the Norwich Lanes. Established in 1823, its baroque-style frontage is a local landmark, and the same family has owned it for generations.

There are over 50 departments on 5 levels, where you can find spa centres, a hair salon, and restaurants, as well as chic designer clothing. Jarrold also operates other shops in Norwich, including The Granary, which sells Scandinavian crockery and high-end homeware. There's also a Jarrold shop in the Forum that stocks art and gifts made by local craftspeople.

Castle Quarter has more than 70 stores and food outlets that are spread across 5 levels. One of the mall’s standout features is its glass-topped 5th floor, which offers a nice view of the nearby Norwich Castle. TK Maxx, Claires, Boots and The Entertainer are just some of the most prominent brands available.

Castle Quarter has plenty of entertainment options if you need a break from shopping. The mall’s 1^st floor has a Ping Pong Parlour, where you can play on one of 3 table tennis tables for free. Retro Replay is a gaming lounge offering 40 classic arcade machines, including Crazy Kong, Space Invaders, and Double Dragon.

The Royal Arcade is a covered avenue that dates back to 1899, making it one of the oldest places to shop in Norwich. Spanning just under 250 ft in length, it has about a dozen shops and restaurants with Victorian-era facades and decorative tiles.

Artique Galleries stock paintings and photographs by international talents, while Langleys Toys has been a favourite among children, modellers and hobby gamers since 1883. You can rest your feet and enjoy desserts at one of many cafés at the Royal Arcade, such as Marmalades and Macarons & More.

Elm Hill is a cobbled lane near the historic Erpingham Gate and Norwich Cathedral. One the city’s most well-preserved medieval streets, it’s lined with Tudor-era merchants’ houses, many of which have been converted into independent shops.

It’s a great place to shop for rare books, handmade gifts, fine arts, and antiques. After browsing the many antique stores and art galleries, you can relax and enjoy refreshments in a traditional English tearoom. A must-visit is The Britons Arms, a family-run café that was the only house in Elm Hill that survived a fire in 1507.

intu Chapelfield is one of the largest malls in Norwich with 530,000 sq ft of retail space over 3 levels. This modern, indoor shopping venue is on St Stephan Street, near St Stephen's Church and the Chapelfield Gardens.

You can find over 90 shops, cafés and restaurants at intu Chapelfield. The shopping mall also has the only House of Fraser outlet in Norfolk. Other prominent brands include Superdry, Zara, H&M, River Island, Apple, Hollister, and Hugo Boss. If you’re looking for more shopping, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams are just a short walk away.

Timber Hill may be known for its historical landmarks, but you’ll also find many quirky stores, antique shops, beauty salons, and well-loved pubs. It’s one of the city’s oldest recorded city streets – during the Middle Ages, it was a busy trading point in Norwich.

Although Timber Hill suffered damages in the Norwich Blitz of 1942, the area is still a lovely place to explore on foot. In the evenings, enjoy a pint at 17^th-century pubs such as The Bell Hotel and The Murderers Pub. If you’re looking for brand-name goods and clothes, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, and Castle Quarter are within a 5-minute walk of Timber Hill.

Anglia Square is a local shopping mall on Magdalen Street, about half a mile north of Norwich city centre. It has more than 24 stores, with Poundland and QD Stores serving as its key anchors. A great place for scoring bargains in Norwich, it also has charity stores such as YMCA, Scope, Sense and PACT.

If you’re self-catering during your visit, Robert Brands offers fresh fruit and vegetables while Peter’s Butcher supply high-quality local meats. Anglia Square also has a couple of onsite dining options for those feeling peckish during their visit.

Upper St Giles lies on the western end of the famous Norwich Lanes. The tree-lined avenue has Georgian buildings, independent stores with beautiful fronts, art galleries and eclectic restaurants.

If you’re looking for beautiful artworks, check out The Gallery Norfolk or Norwich Art Shop. There’s also a store specialising in French and English antique baths. Looking for something to do besides shopping? The Voice Project offers singing lessons, choir projects and workshops. You could also visit St Giles' Church, a Grade I-listed parish church dating back to the 14th century.