The South Asia Collection

What it’s like

A free museum and shop of South and South East Asian art, textiles and furniture, tucked into a Norwich townhouse.

You wander through rooms of carved furniture, textiles and everyday objects from South and South East Asia, with cabinets and a gallery area rotating in curated exhibitions alongside the permanent display. It's a quiet sort of visit rather than a hands-on one, so it suits kids who like looking and asking questions more than kids who need buttons to press. There's a shop attached too.

Entry's free, which makes it an easy add to a day around the city centre, and it's open Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays and bank holidays. The ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible and staff will bring items down from the first floor if stairs are a problem, since that floor's stairs-only. There's no hearing loop in the building, and if you're going as a group of six or more they'd rather you booked ahead by email.

The building itself is mid-restoration until October 2026, so expect the odd bit of noise or a roped-off area, and parking is limited while the works continue. There are only five spaces on-site, though The Forum car park is a minute's walk and St Giles Street another five. One genuine gap: there's no toilet on-site.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Free on-site car park with space for up to 5 cars

Wheelchairs

Ground floor fully wheelchair accessible

Getting there by bus or train

Norwich train station 20-minute walk, Norwich bus station 12-minute walk, Castle Meadow bus stops 10-minute walk

• Restoration works run until October 2026, so there can be noise or areas roped off
• No hearing loop in the building
• Dogs are welcome, including assistance dogs
• It's a look-and-learn visit rather than a hands-on one

Plan your visit

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