Bowthorpe
Bowthorpe can be found on the western outskirts of Norwich, 5 miles from the city centre and there is evidence of early settlements with the discovery of tools and coins that are now kept in the Castle Museum. It is divided into four distinct areas: Clover Hill, Chapel Break, Three Score and Bowthorpe Industrial Estate.
The name Bowthorpe came from either Denmark or Norway and was originally spelt Boethorpe but, over the years, its spelling has changed to how it is today.
In 1966 the Bell School of Languages leased Bowthorpe Hall, initially as an experiment for a summer school, founded by Frank E. Bell. The school soon became popular with foreign students and it was able to purchase the hall, gardens and five acres of land to become a permanent school, for foreign students from all parts of the world. It shut its doors to students in 2006 and Bowthorpe Hall ceased being a school.
Bowthorpe has a shopping centre with a large Roy's store, Boots the chemist and a variety of other shops and a café. There is a health centre and doctors' surgery, village hall and public houses and is served by a frequent bus service.
The FDC is a modern, state of the art football facility in Bowthorpe that features 5-a-side 3G pitches, 7-a-side 3G pitches, 11-a-side grass pitch, two air conditioned rooms for meetings and conferences, a fully licensed bar, function room for private parties, 7 large TV screens, changing and shower facilities, floodlights and CCTV monitored car park for over 200 vehicles.
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Around Bowthorpe
Bowthorpe at a glance
- District
- Norwich
- Distance to Norwich
- about 3.3 miles
- Nearest town
- Norwich (3.3 miles)
- Height above sea level
- 26 m
Historic and listed buildings in Bowthorpe
2 listed buildings within about ¾ mile of the village centre, from the National Heritage List for England.
- Grade II
- Grade II
Source: Historic England. Most listed buildings are private homes – please view from public land.
Places to eat, drink and stay near Bowthorpe
The closest pubs, cafés, restaurants, takeaways and B&Bs, with their official food hygiene rating.
- 5/5
- 4/5
- 4/5
- 3/5
- 5/5
- 4/5
- 5/5
- Awaiting
- 3/5
- 5/5
- 4/5
- 3/5
Ratings: Food Standards Agency (Open Government Licence). Ratings change after each inspection – tap a name for the latest.
Wildlife recorded around Bowthorpe
The most frequently recorded species within 3 km of Bowthorpe since 2022 (29,077 records submitted to the National Biodiversity Network).
Birds
- Woodpigeon
- Blue Tit
- Blackbird
- Robin
- Magpie
- Great Tit
- Wren
- Carrion Crow
- Jackdaw
- Chiffchaff
- Goldfinch
- Mallard
Other wildlife and plants
- Small White
- Grey Squirrel
- 7-spot Ladybird
- Speckled Wood
- Large White
- Gatekeeper
- Muntjac
- Banded Demoiselle
- Hedgehog
- Mole
- Peacock
- Yarrow
Source: NBN Atlas – records from Norfolk recorders and conservation groups. Please follow the Countryside Code and keep to paths.
Villages near Bowthorpe
- Colney 1.0 miles
- Bawburgh 1.5 miles
- Little Melton 1.8 miles
- Cringleford 2.6 miles
- Easton 2.6 miles
- Marlingford 3.0 miles
- Hethersett 3.4 miles
- Intwood 3.5 miles
- Great Melton 3.5 miles
- Ringland 3.8 miles
Live weather
Weather in Bowthorpe
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Updated every time the page loads · Data: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0)
Nearest town guide
Finding the nearest town to Bowthorpe…
Getting to Norfolk
- Train: Greater Anglia runs direct trains from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, plus lines to Cromer, Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cambridge. National Rail journey planner
- Road: the A11 (from Cambridge and London) and the A47 (east–west) are the main routes.
- Air: Norwich Airport is 4 miles north of the city.
- Bus: plan local journeys on Traveline.
Useful links
- Visit Norfolk – official tourism site
- Visit the Broads – Broads Authority
- Met Office weather warnings
- RNLI beach safety and tide advice
- National Trust in Norfolk
In an emergency
- 999 – police, fire, ambulance and coastguard
- 111 – NHS urgent medical advice
- 101 – Norfolk Police, non-emergency