Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
The Museum of Norwich is the place to find out about the history of the city and its people, located in the heart of the charming Norwich Lanes quarter. This fine ancient building is home to ten galleries, jam-packed with intriguing objects such as a giant Jacquard loom, 1960s Speedway bike and hundreds of exquisite shoes. Settle down in the 1950s living room, catch a short film in the recreated cinema or step back in time in the nostalgic chemist shop. Grab a take out from the coffee shop opposite and enjoy it in our pretty courtyard, a quiet space away from the bustle of the city centre. The museum is fully accessible and family friendly.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
330 reviews
Excellent
230
Very good
89
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Ray N
Bury St. Edmunds, UK1,051 contributions
Jan 2023
A very interesting museum located in the city centre telling the history of Norwich. There are plenty of things to see detailing all the trades that existed in the city from the Wool Trade up to the present day with Colmans Mustard and Boulton and Paul covered as well. There is a recreation of a 19th Century Pharmacy and a Pub from early 20th century. Plenty of artefacts to see and everything is very well explained. The museum also covers sport and leisure in the city with exhibits about Norwich City Football club and the defunct Norwich Stars Speedway team that existed in the 1950's and 60's. It also explains the history of the building with it being a former prison. Definitely worth seeing if you are in the city.
Written January 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sez
27 contributions
May 2023 • Family
We were given a voucher to this museum when we went to the castle, what a bit of luck that was as this turned out to be a fascinating little museum. Located in the heart of the old shopping area it was full of domestic history - old shop and home interiors or appliances, shoes through the ages, some lovely dresses. My favourite piece was an intricate dolls house. Would thoroughly recommend popping in if you are in Norwich.
Written May 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sallybelinda
Northampton, UK179 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
I loved this museum! I am always interested in the social history areas of museums and this one is really ALL about the social history of Norwich, through the ages. It is wonderfully well curated and there’s a lot more to it than appears from outside. My only regret is that I didn’t arrive earlier in the afternoon and therefore allow myself more time to spend there.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BaggyIsaacs
Chippenham, UK117 contributions
Oct 2022
If you go to the castle museum first you get a free ticket for the museum at Bridewell's, if you go here first you DON'T get a free ticket to the castle museum. I was very much not chuffed about this.
The museum itself was one of the bst ever but be fair about the discounts you're providing.
The museum itself was one of the bst ever but be fair about the discounts you're providing.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R W
5 contributions
Apr 2022
So by chance this shelter form the rain turned out to be a brilliant collection of artefacts and stories of Norwich's past. So well put together. Well worth a visit even when the sun is shining!
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L R
30 contributions
Feb 2023
Stunning. Amazing place, with so much local history. I thought I knew a lot about Norwich's history, but then I learnt so much more and got to really see relics and records from that past here, too! So amazing, and crazy good value. If you go on the first Saturday (I think) of the month, you will get the chance to go into the underground vaults for a special tour which was well worth it and which we had no idea of when we went. Staff literally sought us out on our wandering to inform us so we could take advantage. Lovely and super informative. There's even a VR experience of the famous Ketts Hill rebellion, which is well worth a go. Will be back again soon.
Written March 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALB140-17
Bristol, UK46 contributions
Aug 2021
What a fantastic place!! I was so glad we delayed leaving Norwich long enough to get lost in this museum! There are so many interesting things to see and the layout really takes you through each period of history for Norwich. You get a really good understanding of the lives of the people as well as the key landmarks - the Samson and Hercules statues were particularly fascinating as were the accounts of the Bridewell inmates. As a teacher, I could see so many projects and exciting topics to delve into from the trades and the developments in industry to the creation of the department stores and the fascinating apothecary's shop. So many of the exhibits have been donated by family members over the years and you can really feel the connections between the people and their city. The 'computerised' weaving loom was brilliant and some more modern inventions catch my eye too (like the electric perming machine!). In short, this is a fascinating place and a real hidden gem - I only wish more people knew about it!!
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah Gillham
Hertfordshire, UK68 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We were in Norwich for the day while our son attended a festival. We had a lovely walk by the river and walked around the cobbled lanes. I hadn’t realised how charming that part of the city is. The museum was an interesting look at the industries that put Norwich on the map and social history of the city. An hour and half is probably plenty of time to have a good look around. There are some hats and wigs to try on if you want 😂. Worth a visit.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip E
Norwich, UK21 contributions
Jan 2020
A really excellent tour and talk, led by Bethan, who is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the City of Norwich. Book for the tour over the phone, and it is effectively free, as you only pay the Museum's entry charge.
Fascinating and fun!
Fascinating and fun!
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review, we are so glad you enjoyed the tour. They run usually on the last Saturday of the month, so do spread the word!
Written January 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DramaQueen55
Woking, UK124 contributions
Mar 2020
This museum contains a wealth of interesting exhibits and offers an insight into the history of the city, the industries that people worked in, and the lives that they led. The lady on the reception desk gave us a detailed and helpful explanation of the layout of the museum, the artefacts on display had clear and concise descriptions, and the interactive elements worked well. Definitely worth a visit.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Written March 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trishy1954
Norwich, UK1 contribution
Opening times
Jeremy O
Norwich, UK30 contributions
Opening times can be found on the museum website. Just search for Bridewell Museum Norwich
Regards
Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
- Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell is open:
- Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell:
- (0.02 mi) Spacious Norwich Lanes Apartment with Roof Terrace
- (0.06 mi) 3 Princes Street
- (0.07 mi) Princes Cottage
- (0.07 mi) London House
- (0.07 mi) Luxury City Centre Apartment In A Grade Two Listed Building
- Restaurants near Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell:
- (0.02 mi) Bread Source - Bridewell Alley
- (0.02 mi) Bishop's Dining Room & Wine Bar
- (0.02 mi) The Wildman
- (0.03 mi) Saporita Norwich
- (0.03 mi) Thai Lanna Restaurant, Norwich