Car Hire in Norwich
This information is correct as of April 2015
The two-cathedral city of Norwich makes the perfect base for exploring Norfolk. Don’t rely on public transport and taxis, hire a car and enjoy the freedom of the open road. There’s lots of exciting things to see within a short drive of the city centre, from the famous Norfolk broads to the beautiful North Norfolk Coast. Whether you live in the city and fancy a road trip, or are heading to Norfolk on a British holiday, you can find great deals on car hire with Skyscanner.
Where to hire a car in Norwich
There are lots of car hire companies in Norwich, some with multiple locations. There’s an Alamo, National and Europcar on Dereham Road near the city centre, an Enjoy Car Hire near the Anglia Square Shopping Centre, and there’s an Avis beside Norwich City Football Club.
Driving in Norwich
Norwich city centre has recently undergone a shake-up, so if you haven’t driven in the city for a long time it’s worth bringing an up-to-date sat-nav system to keep yourself right. There are a lot of pedestrian and one-way streets in the city centre. Look out for streets with restricted access: there will be a sign telling you whether or not you can enter the area. Usually these streets are restricted to blue badge holders, residents, and black cabs.
Parking in Norwich
On-street parking is free outside the city centre. There are two tariffs in the city centre: Band A at £2 per hour, and Band B at £1.20 per hour. Always check the pay and display signs to find out the restrictions applicable to the space your parking in: some are free after certain hours, others become taxi ranks.
If you can’t find a space on the street, don’t worry. There are a lot of multi-storey and surface car parks throughout the city centre, some operated by the council and others by private companies like Q-Park. Some of the most central car parks are St Giles multi-story with 330 spaces, the Forum multi-storey which has 206 spaces, and the massive Chapelfield car park with a whopping one thousand spaces.
Great day trips from Norwich
Broads National Park
The Norfolk Broads are just a 20 minute drive from the centre of Norwich and are a must visit while you’re in the city. The broads were accidentally constructed during the Middle Ages, when the peat excavations started by the Romans began to flood. Today the area is known for its picturesque marshland and navigable waterways. You can hire a boat for the day and go sailing, or simply go for a waterside wander.
Great Yarmouth
If the sun blesses you with her presence, take the half hour drive to Great Yarmouth. It’s the third most popular seaside resort in Britain, and has all of the usual attractions. As well as 17 miles of sandy beach to frolic on, you can enjoy the attractions along Marine Parade. There’s something for everyone here, whether you prefer white knuckle rides or model villages.
Blickling Estate
This National Trust property is half an hour from Norwich, and is a must-visit for history buffs. The red-brick mansion was once home to ambassadors and king’s mistresses, and today it plays hosts to a very important collection of books. Actors bring the property to life with colourful stories about the previous residents. There are some nice walking trails in the grounds, too.
Prices subject to change