The Shoebox Experiences
The Shoebox Experiences
The Shoebox Experiences
4.9
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The Shoebox Experiences offers exciting, unique experiences where you can make great memories together!
Intrepid explorers can find out about Norwich’s rich history on our famous Hidden Street Tour! Want to get outdoors? Join us for a walking tour as we explore more of the stories and history of our fine city.
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Norwich, Norfolk, England
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Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.9
1,683 reviews
Excellent
1,544
Very good
107
Average
23
Poor
7
Terrible
3
John
5 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
Our second tour with Shoebox. This time we did the Tavern Tour. We had Nyree as our guide again. For mid-March we got very lucky with the weather, it was a lovely sunny day. There were just four of us on this tour. Two aging couples (70-ish isn't old :) )
It started at Bishopsgate Bridge and meandered past the Cow Tower, along the river, pausing at the Adam and Eve, then along Quay Side. At Bridge St we stopped and heard tales of The Mischief, The Merchants House and The Ribs of Beef.
Our fellow tourists were very much Norwich born and bred. They added some great personal details and memories of their experiences at many of the venues. It turned out that Karen's grandma used to live in what is now the Belgian Monk.
We then left the river and cut through to Elm Hill. Past St Andrews Hall where we learned that Dave had worked there and met many of the acts going back to the 1970s.
The final stretch took us along Castle Street and over to The Murderers. Where we received a warm welcome and enjoyed a free half and a reduced price meal. Dave used to play football for a team associated with the owner and he knew them well. So we got even more insights and stories.
Unfortunately Nyree had to leave us. She had another tour.
It was a really lovely experience. Made even better by a bit of luck. The weather was great. Our companions were lovely and added a lot of personal details about growing up and living in Norwich. Nyree does a great job of running the show. Always well prepared and knowledgeable.
Because we got a bit spoilt with the stories it might be a good idea to try and collect more personal stories about some of the venues?
Aside from that I can only say that we are looking forward to our next tour.
If you are doing the late morning tour and fancy a bit of breakfast before you join the tour then The Refectory at the Cathedral or The Red Lion Bishopsgate are both good options. (Check opening times)
It started at Bishopsgate Bridge and meandered past the Cow Tower, along the river, pausing at the Adam and Eve, then along Quay Side. At Bridge St we stopped and heard tales of The Mischief, The Merchants House and The Ribs of Beef.
Our fellow tourists were very much Norwich born and bred. They added some great personal details and memories of their experiences at many of the venues. It turned out that Karen's grandma used to live in what is now the Belgian Monk.
We then left the river and cut through to Elm Hill. Past St Andrews Hall where we learned that Dave had worked there and met many of the acts going back to the 1970s.
The final stretch took us along Castle Street and over to The Murderers. Where we received a warm welcome and enjoyed a free half and a reduced price meal. Dave used to play football for a team associated with the owner and he knew them well. So we got even more insights and stories.
Unfortunately Nyree had to leave us. She had another tour.
It was a really lovely experience. Made even better by a bit of luck. The weather was great. Our companions were lovely and added a lot of personal details about growing up and living in Norwich. Nyree does a great job of running the show. Always well prepared and knowledgeable.
Because we got a bit spoilt with the stories it might be a good idea to try and collect more personal stories about some of the venues?
Aside from that I can only say that we are looking forward to our next tour.
If you are doing the late morning tour and fancy a bit of breakfast before you join the tour then The Refectory at the Cathedral or The Red Lion Bishopsgate are both good options. (Check opening times)
Written 18 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate J
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • Family
Oh, this was great! We were booked in for a chilly Friday evening in January - & were the only people on the tour. Hats off to Max, our guide, who was incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We were all fascinated by the story of the building, which lies in the shadow of Norwich Castle. Its story, like unpacking a time capsule, in turn, paints a broader picture of Norwich across the centuries. What an amazing city we live in. This tour- while limited in space - is very wide ranging and entertaining. The best part is that buying a ticket supports the charity that now uses the building. Do go along - it's a unique experience.
Written 11 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Chef's Wife.
Norfolk, UK918 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
I did the Hidden Streets Tour with my husband. Neither of us had been before.
There is no dedicated parking but it is right in the centre of Norwich so we parked in Castle Mall and walked across.
The office is on Castle Meadow, directly opposite the Castle itself and was very easy to find.
There is a waiting area that visitors all wait at until everyone arrives.
There are toilet facilities available should you need them before the tour starts.
The tour lasts about an hour and was so good!
We didn't know any of those streets were still there and the guide made it all very interesting. There are a lot of stairs and low ceilings so you need to be pretty mobile, but it's nothing too taxing if you are able-bodied. You don't cover a huge distance overall either.
We had no idea where we would reemerge from at the end of the tour and when we did we were taken by surprise where we had ended up! It was nowhere near where we had expected to be and we must have walked past that door hundreds of times.
We had a really good hour or so.
The price wasn't particularly cheap, but it was something unusual and different to do and we would definitely recommend it.
We are now looking at their other tours to do at some point in the future too.
There is no dedicated parking but it is right in the centre of Norwich so we parked in Castle Mall and walked across.
The office is on Castle Meadow, directly opposite the Castle itself and was very easy to find.
There is a waiting area that visitors all wait at until everyone arrives.
There are toilet facilities available should you need them before the tour starts.
The tour lasts about an hour and was so good!
We didn't know any of those streets were still there and the guide made it all very interesting. There are a lot of stairs and low ceilings so you need to be pretty mobile, but it's nothing too taxing if you are able-bodied. You don't cover a huge distance overall either.
We had no idea where we would reemerge from at the end of the tour and when we did we were taken by surprise where we had ended up! It was nowhere near where we had expected to be and we must have walked past that door hundreds of times.
We had a really good hour or so.
The price wasn't particularly cheap, but it was something unusual and different to do and we would definitely recommend it.
We are now looking at their other tours to do at some point in the future too.
Written 3 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kittybertie1
Norwich, UK9 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Our first shoebox experience was the Hidden Street. Wow who would have thought there was so much history beneath the properties on Castle Meadow!
This trip takes one hour and is packed with historical facts that are brought to life so theatrically by your tour guide. Absolutely amazing.
Without any spoilers you will literally walk down into the depths of history and discover about those who have gone before. It is informative, factual, at times macabre and also funny.
Our group consisted of all ages ranging from teens to seniors and the guide engaged with us all.
This trip takes one hour and is packed with historical facts that are brought to life so theatrically by your tour guide. Absolutely amazing.
Without any spoilers you will literally walk down into the depths of history and discover about those who have gone before. It is informative, factual, at times macabre and also funny.
Our group consisted of all ages ranging from teens to seniors and the guide engaged with us all.
Written 28 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seaside58953874636
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Solo
Thanks to Ollie, our guide, we were both entertained and educated. He had a deep historical knowledge of the area of Norwich's Hidden Street and the castle. On a hot day it was cool under the modern day street level and it felt 'cool' to be walking down and along a medieval street. As you tour round in a group you learn things from other locals as you go.
It also turned out that Ollie knew the city I grew up in, Canterbury in Kent, and together we were able to discover history that linked Norwich and Canterbury more closely than I imagined. It turned out that when I went to catch my bus, at bus stop CR, I recalled Ollie talking up prisoners bodies were directly under this bus stop!
I think it was a packed hour and the initiative The Shoe Box Experiences supports, The Shoe Box Enterprise, is a worthy cause to support.
It also turned out that Ollie knew the city I grew up in, Canterbury in Kent, and together we were able to discover history that linked Norwich and Canterbury more closely than I imagined. It turned out that when I went to catch my bus, at bus stop CR, I recalled Ollie talking up prisoners bodies were directly under this bus stop!
I think it was a packed hour and the initiative The Shoe Box Experiences supports, The Shoe Box Enterprise, is a worthy cause to support.
Written 27 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine D
3 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Always interested in finding unusual experiences, I was excited to take the Hidden Norwich Tour with my sister yesterday. Nyree was very engaging with her knowledge and storytelling. She took time to answer lots of questions and made the history come alive by helping paint visual pictures. Nyree made the tour and we would certainly recommend asking if she’s tour guide when you book.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin W
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Couples
We took the Historic streets tour with Max , a very informative hour spent going back in time ,through the ages of Norwich history, linking to the building and it's ( now) underground streets. Max had so much information, we learnt so much , having lived here for 60 years , so much we didn't know ! Amazing. Thoroughly worth it for tourists or locals alike.
Written 1 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy S
7 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
It is a short but interesting visit to the basement of the offices of this social enterprise. The basement was a medieval street that has gradually been covered in over time. There are rooms from previously occupied houses still visible and accessible, and the guide is very well informed about local history and how this little time capsule came to exist. Quite interesting and different from the usual touristy exhibits. And your admission fee is supporting a good cause.
Written 1 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don B
7 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
A real eye opening tour, our guide, Nyree was extremely eloquent, funny and really knowledgeable. The tour only lasts an hour but so much info is given in such a short space of time in such an engaging way that it works perfectly. Although we are not from Norwich it didn't prevent us from getting the feel for the place and the history behind it all. Fascinating and totally worth the entrance fee. I did wonder why Nyree started off with a pint of water in her hand but she needs it as she has so much talking to do. All her explanations were easy to follow and I particularly liked her rendition of the James Bloomfield Rush hanging story. All in all an excellent way to spend an hour in Norwich:-)
Written 16 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pip Alden
6 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
What a superb way to spend an hour! Our guide, Nyree, was highly knowledgeable and presented the tour in an amusing and entertaining style. My 80 year old Dad coped pretty well with the steep, winding stairs and we very much enjoyed the experience. Highly recommended if you have any interest in the history of Norwich.
Written 3 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, how do we book a tour for next month? Kind regards Sarah
Written 6 February 2020
The Shoebox Community Hub
Norwich, United Kingdom
Hi Sarah,
You can see all of our upcoming dates on our website. We regularly add new dates, but if the tours that you are looking for aren't yet available, I would advise signing up to our newsletter on the website to be notified when they go on sale.
Best wishes,
KindaKafe Team
Written 10 February 2020
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.