| It's not just Partridge, turkey and Norfolk Broads! OutUK’s Adrian Gillan checks out queer Norwich, the capital of East Anglia. Bootiful, really bootiful. And I don’t just mean the city itself which is indeed a kind of overlooked York, out-on-a-limb in the forgotten lobe of East England, complete with Norman Castle, Cathedral, walls, arches and spires and old medieval trade street names. |
 Cruising on the Norfolk Broads. |
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I naturally also refer to the home-grown boys in this town
further swollen by students, all strutting their stuff around its ancient, compact,
easily walkable lanes like some rare breed sure to broaden the smile on even one of
Bernard Matthews’ jolliest faces.
True: there are no gay saunas; no meaningful inner-city cruising grounds to speak of despite fine parks - just a lay-by in heavy woods on the left-hand side of the A11 dual carriageway, about 10 miles out of Norwich; and no Lord Raglan pub now that old gay stalwart has closed its doors alas. But there’s still much here to amuse a keen queer chap. You’ll need refreshments after a journey to a town that gave us Delia Smith. So, try the central gay-friendly very stylish The Dining Rooms in the arty Cinema City church-conversion multiplex with summer courtyard at rear - a mere five minutes walk from the railway station. Or try the even more bustling and bohemian Norwich Playhouse Bar & Restaurant round the corner on St Georges Street, again, with its sprawling summer terraces out the back. Stomach filled, cross the river to The Ten Bells on St Benedicts Street, you'll find a mixed and gay-friendly pub - dark and cosy with lively acts. | |
| If you want a real booster, you must visit The Castle off Ketts Hill a pub that's gay through-and-through, very busy and attracting a youngish crowd. It’s reached via a charming walk through the old-world Cathedral quarter and over the river once more, and has friendly staff and a large garden for some summertime boozing. |
 Open air market in Norwich - Photo: Nickos. |
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The Catherine Wheel is a friendly and inviting gay and lesbian bar located in the heart of Norwich
on St Augustines Street. They host a range of interesting evenings themed for dressing up in drag, becoming
one of the emergency services and even demos of mediumship.
The Loft NR1 on Rose Lane has been here serving the Norwich gay community for over 30 years. It's recently been modernised throughout and you'll find this pure-pop gay club spans two-floorsIt’s pretty much all they’ve got, but those local lads sure make the most of it, a joy to behold. Arrive before 11pm to avoid the queues! And if you’re still around the morning after to explore this beautiful city and bijou boutique lanes, do pop into three shops near each other in the south west centre. The Greenhouse on Bethel Street is a gay-friendly organic cafe with an interesting array of books, magazines and cards. Finally, Norfolk LGBT+ Project in Cathedral Street have been providing support relevant to the health and wellbeing needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender + community in Norfolk and Waveney since 2007. They have a range of services based around sexuality or gender identity and offer advice, peer-support and information.
Norwich is under two hours away from London Liverpool Street by Anglia Railways.
Revised April 2024. |
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