Norwich - help please

Takethedogalong
Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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edited October 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Having a bit of difficulty nailing down some specific information regarding an afternoon in Norwich. We want to visit just the Cathedral, coming in from coastal area. I have looked at P&R options, and I think the Airport choice looks the best. However, on the website it doesn’t mention parking for MHs, or travelling with a dog.

We want to be able to park up our small MH, which we can usually get into a generous normal car park space, but need to know about barriers. Also, does anyone know if it is ok to take a large dog, Labrador, onto the bus? 

Appreciate any help from those with experience of Norwich, locals with good advice etc.... Leaving the dog in the MH at the P&R isn’t an option, neither is kennelling, he goes everywhere with us.

Is it possible to park up in City Centre at all? We have managed when we have been to Lincoln, Worcester, Exeter Etc..... always found a car park without height barriers.

Many thanks.

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  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2019 #2

    Try phoning City Council, open 9 to 4

    0344 980 3333

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #3

    Yes, thanks for that ET, it may be my only option, but sometimes local knowledge can be much more helpful. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,941
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    edited October 2019 #4

    We went in on the local bus with Flyte from outside of the site we were staying on. Perhaps you could look at leaving the M/H in one of the outlying villages, possibly at a community centre CP, and use the local services. The bus timetables should be readily available online.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2019 #5

    We used one of the P&R but could not be sure about barriers etc

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,853
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    edited October 2019 #6

    As no one with local knowledge is coming forward may I suggest the Park-my-Motorhome.co.uk website.  It says you may use any or all of the four Norwich Park and rides and gives useful advice for other places too. Have a good day. 

  • SueandKeith
    SueandKeith Club Member Posts: 20
    edited October 2019 #7

    If you're staying near the North Norfolk coast, Sanders Coaches do a more or less hourly bus service to the city from Holt, Sheringham and Cromer.

    Would probably be a bit less stressful than P&R.

    Keith

  • Extugger
    Extugger Forum Participant Posts: 1,293
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    edited October 2019 #8

    Have used Thickthorn P&R (south Norwich) under 12 months ago and there were no barriers then - indeed a couple of motorhomes were parked there (there's masses of spaces) Cannot help you re the dog question sorry. From memory, the parking near to the Cathedral was very limited and probably not a good option for you, although there was parking on the south side of the cathedral, near the refectory. Maybe a phone call?  Cathedral worth the effort to get to and set in a lovely area with nice walks and river nearby.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
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    edited October 2019 #9

    You could also try this web site TDA  (Parkopedia) LINK

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #11

    Thank you very much, I shall take a good look at all these options. I did try a motorhome parking website, but info was a tad dated. Interesting that OPs website says ground level car parks have no barriers, but another one actually gives barrier heights, so will need to drill this down further. At the moment, not sure where we might be staying, probably Fakenham, Wells area, so very much a day trip out. Buses sadly rate a close second to boats in terms of setting off my travel sickness, so would prefer to use our own MH.

    It looks doable, with the dog, so many thanks for the help. We’ve often dropped on quite well with our little MH in big cities, even at times managed a bit of on street parking, so fingers crossed. 

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 587
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    edited October 2019 #12

    I live 11 miles outside Norwich and wouldn't consider taking the van in there.  But if I had to, there is some parking outside of some stores, namely 'Go outdoors'.  As far as I remember there are no restrictions, 15 minutes to the Cathedral. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #13

    Thank you Greylag, as I say, we are more the size of a delivery van, so most surface car parks, providing there is no height barrier we are fine. I will take a look on Google Earth and use satellite. Cathedral website advises a car park near a quay not far away, I can’t remember exact name at moment.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,067
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    edited October 2019 #14

    Have you thought of parking at Cromer and going into Norwich on the train? Not far from Wroxham Station there is a Roys Shoppers car park which does not appear to have a height barrier. Another option the is  CS actually in Wroxham, near the bridge so easy walking distance of the station.

    David

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #15

    Might be an option DK thanks. Will check out how dog friendly it is to use trains, most are fine. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,343
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    edited October 2019 #16

    One Roys shoppers car park has a time limit but I can’t remember how long. A little further away is Roys long stay car park where coaches park. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #17

    Cromer to Norwich and return looks very good option via train, if we can safely park MH in Cromer. Dog goes free, and price for a day out isn’t bad. Could well be a good option, as we can take chariot with us folded on train for him. We only want to see Cathedral and Castle. We haven’t decided on our sites yet, so we might head over to East first, do a few things over there, then have a few days more around Fakenham area. Might be worth considering Seacroft if it’s close to station. 

  • ColDeb
    ColDeb Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited October 2019 #18

    If you look at google street view there are no height barriers at the airport park and ride. The park and ride buses are operated by Konect bus and this is on the FAQ on their website;

    Can I bring my dog on the bus? 
    Yes, as long as it is well behaved and does not sit on the seats. 

    The nearest car park to the Cathedral is Bishopsgate but it's not very large & you may struggle to find a space.

    Another option would be to park at the Riverside retail park and walk to the Cathedral but this will have time limitations.

    The Cathedral is fabulous and you can walk down to the river, there's also a refectory which is worth a look if your feeling a bit peckish! Norwich Cathedral allows well behaved dogs on leads

    Norwich is a lovely city ( I maybe slightly biasedlaughing ) It's quite compact to walk round so if you wanted to stray from the Cathedral the Norwich Lanes are great for independant quirky shops & there's plenty of history to be found.

    https://www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20250/getting_around_norwich/1887/city_walking_routes

    Have a great time!

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,941
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    edited October 2019 #19

    Bramble Park CL, under Cromer, is close, 5 min drive, from Roughton Road Railway station. Not sure of the train times through there, but there is open parking I think. It has a couple of H/S pitches and is also just down the road from Felbrigg. Might well be worth a consideration.

  • ColDeb
    ColDeb Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited October 2019 #20

    If your considering using the train and Incleboro Fields site is open the train station at West Runton is a walk down the drive from the site. 

    Seacroft is an approx 25 minute walk from Cromer station.

    Bramble Park CL from what I recall is on quite a slope ( yes there are hills in Norfolk!) 

  • Corsadad
    Corsadad Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited October 2019 #21

    Hi there

    I live in Lowestoft and worked in Norwich for a few years. Parking near the cathedral not a great option particularly with the motorhome. To my knowledge the park and rides are all fairly spacious with no heieght barriers (stopped working Norwich 4 years ago and councils do change things), Both Postwick and Thickthorn I have used and they are/were both very open. You don't say which coastal location you are coming in from. North Norfolk ypu could use train from Cromer/Sherringham. Gt Yarmouth/Lowestoft the same. Bus services are fairly decent from coastal into the city and relieves any stress finding suitable parking in starnge place with the large vehicle.

    As above there are lots of other things to see and walk around in the city so setting a day aside to venture around the castle and Tombland area could be a plan.

    Hope that helps. Have a good time.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176
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    edited October 2019 #22

    Have you thought about the small C&CC site at Norwich TDA? It says you can walk or cycle into town and there is also a nearby bus service. Apologies if this has been mentioned but it sounds like a good option and is next to a river for more walks etc.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2019 #23

    I stayed there last year. The bus stop was 10 mins walk and buses every 20 mins ......... we used P&R.

    Grass pitches but seemed well drained. I treated it as a non-facility site as there were only two showers in mens and same in ladies facilities and the site was pretty much full. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #24

    Some really great options and information thank you. It can be a bit of an ask getting things sorted given our variables such as dog that can’t walk, OH that dislikes Cities, my propensity for boffing up on buses, but with what folks have suggested in terms of sites, parking and travelling in options, I am sure we will get something sorted.

    One bonus that I did find out, but someone else has mentioned, you can take a well behaved dog into Norwich Cathedral! His forte is ambling around with a sit down every so often, so he will love this! Might even get his chariot in if it’s not too busy!😁

    Many thanks everyone, looking good for December visit. Will check suggestions out, choose sites and present a plan to reluctant OH! He won’t be able to resist Cathedral😁

     

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,067
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    edited October 2019 #25

    His forte is ambling around with a sit down every so often, so he will love this!

    He sounds a bit like me!!!

    I wasn't sure what time of year you wanted to go but now you have mentioned December which rules out the CS in Wroxham I was going to suggest as it closes at the end of October. Not quite sure why they close but as its in a boatyard they may need the space to take boats out of the water overwinter.

    David

  • ocsid
    ocsid Club Member Posts: 1,395
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    edited October 2019 #26

    I don't think it has been mentioned yet but re height barriers looking on Google maps in "Street view" can sometime give you a peek at car parking entries, barriers and signage. Sometimes even allowing you to "drive" around the car park.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #27

    He’s riddled with arthritis, has Spondylitis in his spine, and on top of these problems, has a chronic eye problem. However, if you met him, at first it’s hardly noticeable, he bounces about all over at home. It’s long sustained walks he can’t do anymore, but he hops in and out of his chariot, just five minutes sit down seems to rejuvenate him. Got a great life though, still goes out at least twice a day, goes everywhere in car with us, we just have to watch he doesn’t do too much, and ensure his meds are delivered when he needs them. We have a whole cupboard dedicated to OH and doggy meds in MH.

    Train from Cromer is looking good. Might stop at Seacroft a couple of nights, so we know MH is parked up safe, then I quite fancy Barleywood for a further few nights.

    Just had a look at Norwich Nooks and Crannys Walks, our kind of thing, although we might not get to do it all in one visit. We can spend hours in a Cathedral!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2019 #28

    Just had a look at Norwich Nooks and Crannys Walks, our kind of thing, although we might not get to do it all in one visit. We can spend hours in a Cathedral!
     

    When we went into Norwich in September (first visit) we called in at Waterstones for coffee and cake on route to Cathedral. After the cathedral we had a very nice lunch at nearby Zizis and would have explored further but the weather was starting to turn. Definitely more to see

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #29
    • Yes it looks a stunning city ET, lots of history still standing. Thanks for tips on eateries. Need to find somewhere pooch friendly for lunch, pubs are usually very good, but we might try refectory in Cathedral, give them a bit of support. OH is really up for it now, he loves history just like me, and it’s a place we have never visited. 
  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2019 #30

    I was not sure but OH has confirmed my poor memory! The refectory was accessed up some open metal stairs/steps and I do not walk so well. Hence why we did not use. Strangely there were toilets beneath that required a code! No staff about and I was not about to climb stairs to enquire. A visitor (maybe a regular) knew the code however. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,307
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    edited October 2019 #31

    Ah, that’s very useful, we won’t get the pooch up there! The loos are on a special code because of vandalism.....very sad. I noticed that on Cathedral website.