The 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Norwich

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About the author: Hiya, I’m Tabitha Woolcott! I’m originally from Brighton but currently live in Norwich, where I’m studying American Literature with Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. I’m a big old book nerd, a radio DJ at UEA’s student station, and fashion fanatic who can’t resist a charity shop.

With summer in full swing, Norwich is looking particularly photogenic – it’s the perfect time to collect some new photos for your next Instagram dump!

If you’re studying in the city, or looking to hit the best spots on your next visit, check out this list of the top 10 most aesthetic places in Norwich that are perfect for social media.

The 10 most Instagrammable places in Norwich

1. Norwich Market 🛍️

Perhaps the most iconic spot in all of Norwich, this 900-year-old market at the heart of the city centre is gorgeously vibrant: its famously colourful awnings and bustling stalls are a great photo waiting to happen, showing all the life the city has to offer.

Snap a cool candid in its covered walkways, or pay a visit to one of its many great food vendors for some very Instagrammable munch. I’d recommend The Bodega, whose stacked American-style sandwiches are an award-winning viral sensation!

2. Yard 🍷

A short walk from the Market towards Pottergate will take you to Yard, a trendy eatery serving beautiful Italian plates, a firm local favourite for their student-friendly pricing. Dining al-fresco in their cobbled courtyard photographs just like a scene from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Florence.

If the weather won’t play ball, downstairs is a dark, cosy crypt with stony walls mounted with wine bottles, and it’s equally Instagrammable!

3. St. Gregory’s Church ⛪

Norwich is known for its gorgeous medieval churches, but St. Gregory’s has more to offer than just its Grade I listed architecture. Located further down Pottergate, with a green out front that makes a highly photogenic picnic spot, this church is full of awesome mis-matched antiques lit by the colourful glow of its historic stained-glass windows.

Shop and snap at the same time as you explore its winding stalls for quirky photo ops you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, you could score a gigantic Victorian globe, a 1950s floor lamp, or a taxidermy deer… perfect for decorating your student digs!

4. Billy’s Coffee House ☕

Need a caffeine fix to go with your pics? A stone’s throw away, down St Gregory’s Alley, the cheery pink facade of Billy’s Coffee House makes the perfect backdrop for a ‘caught-me-mid-coffee-run’ Instagram story.

This place has the best summery energy, and they’re currently offering some insanely photogenic seasonal treats – sip on a signature canned protein shake (and let everyone know you’re hitting your macros), or cool down with a frozen yogurt, tailored to your feed with customisable toppings!

I've written more about Billy's (and their amazing matcha) in my blog post on the best cafés in Norwich – click here to give it a read!

5. The Playhouse Bar 🍻

Just two streets (and an adorable bridge framed by weeping willows) away from Billy’s, you’ll find Playhouse: an NUA favourite, sitting right next-door to its main buildings. This funky, artsy bar has some of the coolest decorations in Norwich, including illustrated benches, ever-changing chalk boards, and a model city built upside-down across its ceiling!

Alongside a wide selection of locally-produced pints, their garden boasts stunning riverside views, rainbow fairy lights, and tons of pretty greenery – a scenic setting for a photo, or just a great afternoon.

Fancy starting your Norwich night out at Playhouse and need ideas for where to go next? Read our blog post on the best places in Norwich for students nights out.

6. Elm Hill 🏛️

Around the corner from Playhouse lies Elm Hill, without which no Norwich Instagram carousel is complete.

Nationally renowned as one of the prettiest streets in England, Elm Hill is straight from a fairytale; literally, as its higgledy-piggledy Tudor houses and real cobbled streets (abandon all heels!) have been sought out by Hollywood for enchanted settings multiple times.

Even its shops feel magical – try the Dormouse Bookshop for a dark academia photo op, or visit the Courtyard Cafe and pose with a platter of afternoon tea. My favourite is the Bear Shop, with windows piled high with teddy bears!

7. Norwich Cathedral & the Refectory 📸

If you venture from Elm Hill through Tombland – which is itself full of picturesque historic spots and shops that make a great photo – you’ll reach Norwich’s extremely impressive cathedral. For a picture that makes a statement, its extra-long vaulted apse and intricately sculpted interior are as grand a background as you can get.

If you’re looking for something more candid, head upstairs to the Refectory, which hosts an outpost for local bakery chain Bread Source. With its rafted farmhouse ceiling and modern glass walls overlooking the ancient cathedral, this eye-catching blend of old and new is ideal for the ‘Gram – as are the gigantic, fluffy donuts, which are enough to make anyone pause their scrolling!

8. The Riverbanks 🚣

Scenic gems dot the banks of the Wensum, Norwich’s central river. Just beyond the Cathedral is Pull’s Ferry, an arching medieval watergate surrounded by trees and calm water. Dating back to the 15th century, this idyllic location really shows off the city’s rich history… and makes a great frame for a photo!

Further up the banks you’ll find Quayside, a picturesque row of colourful waterfront houses and gently bobbing boats with a serious holiday feel. There’s no need to board a plane with this kind of natural and architectural beauty on your doorstep.

9. The Gardens 🌳

Looking to photograph more of Norwich’s nature? The city is full of fantastic green spaces. In the city centre there’s Chapelfield Gardens, an underrated spot (and definitely my most frequented) – located next to Chantry Place, it’s full of flowers, blossoming trees, and hundreds of bunnies! Plus, it hosts Nothing Fancy, an adorable coffee kiosk serving fantastic toasties (for that obligatory sandwich cross-section pic).

Plantation Gardens at the Catholic Cathedral is downright dreamy: a Victorian garden with winding paths and a towering Gothic fountain. Finally, Eaton Park near the UEA campus boasts a vast 80 acres of space, making it perfect for sunset-spotting. The classically-designed pavilion, with its sprawling ponds, is also not to be missed!

10. The UEA Broad 🧑‍🎓

Ah, the place I took my first Norwich photos: the beautiful banks of the University of East Anglia’s lake, located right on campus. Backed by sprawling fields and the iconic Ziggurats – my first student home! – there’s so much photo inspiration to be found at this prime example of Norfolk’s distinctive natural beauty.

Pose on a jetty, host a picturesque picnic on the beach-like banks, or follow the sculpture walk and work some art history into your feed: whatever you get up to, it’ll look straight out of a postcard!

Interested in learning more about the area surrounding UEA? Check out my guide to North & West Earlham here.

Looking for student accommodation in Norwich?

Secure a place with all these gems – and more! – on your doorstep. UniHomes partners with letting agents and landlords across the city, and their searchable property marketplace makes finding your perfect student home in Norwich a breeze.

If you’ve already found your next home, you can also use UniHomes to sort out your bills, bundling them into one easy package split between you and your housemates. That’s less time spent fretting each month, and more time to explore all the photo-worthy sights Norwich has to offer! Click here to get a quote today.

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Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.