The perfect afternoon? Try walking, history, pubs, food and drink, Norfolk. Preferably in the sunshine.
This will explain why I absolutely loved the Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour that we recently enjoyed. Delivered by the fantastic Shoebox Experiences (part of a superb Norwich-based social enterprise, The Shoebox Enterprises). It was one of the best afternoons I’ve had in a while, and I’m still smiling at the memory.
The tour started at The Red Lion in Bishopsgate where over the first drink, our small tour group was introduced to the fascinating (and sometimes gruesome) aspects of Kett’s Rebellion, Lollards Pit and more. The tour is expertly led by host Max, whose knowledge and passion for local history is contagious in the very best way. He is also very funny. At each location you’re given the backstory of the pub itself, extending beyond the buildings to the breweries and landlords or ladies.
After this we head out into Norwich, winding our way past various sites of interest, stopping for a beverage at locations that include the Merchants House and the bar at Cinema City, before concluding the experience at The Murderers on Timber Hill.
The tour covers around 1.3 miles (that’s a lot of Norwich city centre), and takes in pubs that you don’t go into such as the Adam and Eve and the Wig and Pen, as well as Cow Tower, Anchor Quay and Elm Hill.
Despite being Norwich born and bred, and running Enjoy Norwich since 2007, we were absolutely delighted to discover that there was still plenty of history we weren’t aware of, and loads of points of interest around the Fine City that we’d previously never noticed or known about. Over the tour you’ll encounter viking raiders, ghosts, smuggling landladies, local heroes and a polite-yet-doomed nobleman.
It really is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon and connect with Norwich, whether you’re a local or just visiting. If you like pubs and ale, it’s great, but you don’t have to drink to enjoy it. Hot drinks and soft drinks can be taken at each stop, and the emphasis isn’t on getting utterly inebriated anyway. At the last stop (The Murderers) you enjoy a full pint and the tour eventually concludes, leaving you there, so it’s feasible that you could continue beyond the experience if you wanted. We couldn’t resist ordering food. Your tour ticket gets you a 25% discount off food at The Murderers when you show your booking confirmation at the end of your tour.
Without saying more as I don’t want to spoil it – we highly recommend The Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour as a thing to do in Norfolk.
What your ticket includes: a three hour experience, including a Q&A with your tour guide and four drinks along the way (three half pints and a full pint of local ale or cider)! The tour is fully wheelchair accessible, but bear in mind you’ll be covering over a mile, and sometimes on cobbles. Over 18s only.
(p.s. There’s also a regular version of this experience that lasts only a couple of hours and includes just one drink – the Tavern Trail Tour.)
The Shoebox Experiences
21 – 23 Castle Meadow,
Norwich,
NR1 3DH
01603 850309
