Parks and tea/coffee/cake. The lifeblood of every parent/grandparent/carer.
We’ve put together a list of parks that either have or are near cafes or a regular coffee van because let’s face it, the park is always better when you’ve got tea and cake.
For a map of ALL Norwich play areas click HERE.
Waterloo Park ~ The Feed
NR3 3HX
This is a big favourite with families! The play area has a splash pad (turned on in the summer months) and now we have a cafe back in the pavilion it means it’s even more of a draw for parents. Lovely sausage sarnies here, vegan choices and a little play corner for littlies.
Eaton Park ~ Eaton Park Cafe
NR4 7AU
I’m not sure I know many people who haven’t been to Eaton park, or the cafe. Lots to do and great play areas!
Sewell Park ~ Leslie Terrance or The Shack (Waterloo Rd opposite the Christ Church Centre)
NR3 4BX
In between two roads you’ll find Sewell Park, not the biggest of play areas, but still good to play on with a big open field area and hills to roll/run down. Just a short walk away at the bottom of the park, opposite the Christ Church Centre, you’ll find the garden centre shop, Leslie Terrance, and a new cafe The Shack.
Thorpe Rec/Sir George Morse Park ~ The Little Park Cafe (Churros & Chorizo)
NR7 0XQ
This is a lovely little cafe, with good hot chocolates and even better sausage sandwiches! There is covered seating and outdoor seating and it’s right next door to the park. A definite winner all round.
Taverham Mill ~ Cafe
NR8 6TA
There is a nice little play area here, which I don’t think you have to pay to use, and a cafe onsite. I think there is just a charge to walk around the mill.
Catton Park ~ Carey’s of Norfolk
NR6 7DB
Recommended by Sara at Team Mumbler, this little coffee stand serves hot drinks and a selection of cakes etc. There isn’t any play equipment here, but my Mini Mumblers quite like cycling around and climbing on the big fallen trees.
Drayton Park ~ Willows Cafe
NR8 6EF
A short walk from the park on Pond Lane in Drayton is Willows Cafe. Lots of lovely cakes, cooked breakfasts, smoothies and icecreams and they have a family friendly room upstairs with toys and a stair gate on the door so little ones can escape!
Heigham Park ~ Secret Paradise Cafe
NR2 3HW
This one was recommended by some Mumblers on the FB page. It is a little tuk tuk serving hot drinks and cakes outside the entrance.
(Apparently there is also sometimes a pizza fan there after school pick up until the evening on Thursdays, but we haven’t found the name of this company yet!)
Trowse Park ~ Kofra
NR14 8ST
This was also recommended by a Mumbler as being a really good park AND Kofra coffee is also nearby (NR14 8AH).
Wensum Park
Wensum Park – Frå.kost
NR3 2DD
Just a little bit down the road from Wensum Park is this lovely little cafe, Frå.kost. I am a little bit obsessed with their cardomom buns, they are SO GOOD. If you’re driving you can park round the back of St Augustines, but you’ll have to do a bit of a loop to get back round to where Wensum Park is. Wensum park has a bit of onstreet parking.
Check when the cafe is open before heading there though as I know they aren’t open all week. (Cafe is NR3 3BE)
Horstead Playground ~ A Piece of Cake
What3words//healers.composes.formation
The cafe isn’t the best space to take little ones into as it is quite small, but you can do a lovely loop walk round to find Horstead playground! There’s equipment of little ones and some for older ones too.
For an interactive map of all Norwich play areas, head HERE.
Or head to our post of 10 Norwich play areas, HERE.
Not a park, but apparently there is a park in Frettenham that is close to the Rose and Crown pub…and pubs are almost as good as cafes! (NR12 7NJ)
Head to our post of Mumbler recommended Family Friendly Pubs and Restaurants
Further Afield:
Poringland Park and Community Centre
Overtons Way, Poringland, Norwich NR14 7WB
Thanks to Mumbler Hazel for scouting out Poringland park! Poringland Community Centre has a cafe open 9am-2pm Monday to Friday and it is right next to the park.
Thornham Walks
IP23 8HH
This was recommended by someone on the Mumbler FB page. Apparently there is a cafe and playground as well as the walks!
Clippesby Hall
NR29 3BL
Recommended by someone on Mumbler Instagram: Has a play park and crazy golf as well as a great cafe/restaurant called Basecamp.
Sandringham – The Play area here is AWESOME and the hot chocolates are very good too! Absolutely worth the trip.
Holt Country Park – This has a small play area, but you could always tie it in a with a good walk around and a pit stop at the cafe.
There must be LOADS of other parks with cafes nearby – Get in touch to let us know where your favourite park/cafe combos are and we’ll add them on!
Don’t forget to follow the Norwich Mumbler Facebook page to keep up-to-date and join the Chat Group for advice, recommendations & support.
