Visiting Eaton Park
Eaton Park is open every day all year-round. Entry is FREE. It’s perfect for families and packed with things to see and do that all ages will enjoy. This page has all the basics including links to travel, access and dogs on the right hand side.
Eaton Park, South Park Avenue, Norwich, NR4 7AZ
Eaton Park Café
Open every day except Christmas Day, 9am to 4pm, kitchen closes at 3pm
01603 457359 | eatonparkcafe@gmail.com | Full café details here.
Toilets
There are toilets in the central pavilion, including an accessible one. There are also loos at the pitch and putt hut near the lower, West Car Park.
Opening hours for toilets*
March, April, Sept, Oct: 8am to 7.30pm
May, June, July, Aug: 8am to 8.30pm
September: 8am to 7pm
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb: 8am to 4.30pm
* Closing times vary depending on the time of dusk. This list simplies information. Actual closing time will often be later. Click here for a full list of more detailed opening hours.
Lighting
Eaton Park is open 24 hours a day and park life continues into the evening. There’s the floodlit skate park and tennis courts. Some of the avenues leading to the rotunda have lighting and the rotunda and bandstand are well-lit.
Travel
There are good public transport options and Norwich’s Pedalways make cycling here a pleasure. Scroll down for parking information but if you can, please leave your car at home.
On foot
Eaton Park is 40 minutes walk from Norwich city centre. It is south west of the city, just off the outer ring road, close to Earlham Park, UEA and the Sainsbury Centre.
For walkers, Eaton Park is the ideal start or end to a longer walk round the UEA lake or along the Yare Valley Way.
By bike
Use norwich.cyclestreets.net to plan a fast and safe route to the park. There are bike stands dotted about the park.
Norwich’s bike and scooter share scheme “Beryl Bikes” has a parking bay near the main South Park Avenue entrance where you can pick up or drop off Beryl bikes and scooters.
A cycle path along Bluebell Road provides off-road access from Eaton, Cringleford, and Hethersett, and from UEA and Earlham. Two Pedalways pass close to Eaton Park:
Pink Pedalway (The Avenues). Coming from the city cross the outer ring road and take the second left (Corie Road) and the first right (De Hague Road). Eaton Park is at the end of De Hague Road.
Blue Pedalway (Newmarket Road). For a quiet route to Eaton Park from the Blue Pedalway turn onto Unthank Road (directly or via Judges Walk). Take the unmarked track opposite Judges Walk. At Buckingham Road turn left. Take the first right onto Sotherton Road and first left on to Parmenter Road. Eaton Park will be ahead of you.
By bus
First Bus service 25 (University to riverside and railway station). Bus stop South Park Avenue.
First Bus service 26 (Hospital and University via Earlham Road to city centre). Bus stop North Park Avenue.
Click here for timetables for First Bus services 25 and 26.
By car
Eaton Park has two small pay-for car parks, both accessed from South Park Avenue. One is near the rose garden and Crazy Golf, and the other is near the pitch and putt and community centre. On high days and holidays parking is severely restricted.
Parking tariffs
Monday to Sunday (excluding Christmas Day) from 9am to 9pm
- Up to 4 hours £2.00
- Up to 5 hours £5.00
- Up to 6 hours £6.00
- Over 6 hours £8.00
- Free parking for Blue Badge card holders
Eaton Park Season Tickets
Season tickets don’t guarantee a parking space but they save money for regular park users and you don’t have to buy a ticket each time.
12 months: £70, 6 months £40. Cick here to apply for an Eaton Park Season Ticket. This link can be used for new season tickets and renewals.
Access
There is level access throughout and there are lots benches. Some of the historic buildings and structures have steps but ramps have been retro-fitted.
There is an accessible toilet with a radar key in the rotunda. Toilets at the pitch and putt are not accessible to wheelchair users.
Parking is free for blue badge holders. You are free to park anywhere but there are also 5 dedicated spaces in the West car park (beside the pitch and putt) and three in the East car park (next to the rose garden).
Eaton Park Miniature Railway offers rides on its accessible carriage No. 7 to “wheelchair users, accompanied prams/pushchairs, guide dogs, other accompanied dogs (at staff discretion) and people who are unable to ride on ‘sit astride” carriages’. The carriage is not suitable for mobility scooters.”
The Crazy Golf and Putting Green have got ramped access. The play area has a special needs swing seat.
Dogs
Eaton Park welcomes responsible dog owners and their dogs. The park is great for taking a walk together, ball throwing and chasing, and having a good run around!
Here are some answers to ‘frequently asked questions’ we have been asked about dogs in Eaton Park. We checked with Norwich City Council and hope you find the below answers useful.
Does my dog need to be on a lead?
You don’t have to have your dog on a lead all the time, but you do need to have good control of it and this may mean using the lead from time to time. Also, some people, especially young children, may find very friendly dogs intimidating.
In the rose garden, dogs (and small children!) should keep to the pathways (to help protect the beautiful flower beds). On the pitch and putt dogs should be on leads and dog walkers are asked to keep to the perimeter paths.
Can I take my dog in Eaton Park Café (in the rotunda)?
Yes. Eaton Park Café welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads.
Where can I get a drink for my dog?
Easton Park Café has a water trough for dogs.
Is there anywhere I can’t take my dog in the park?
Yes – dogs aren’t allowed in the children’s play area. There are railings where you can tie dogs up, and picnic tables where you can wait together.
What about dog mess?
You can put bagged dog mess in any of the bins in the park. And you do need to clear up after your dog throughout the park, even in the wilder areas.
What do I do if I find a stray dog?
Report stray dogs here.