Families and shoppers can now explore the solar system on foot as a new outdoor trail featuring scale models of the solar system has gone live across Norwich, Norfolk. The project went live on 6 February 2026, according to the organisers, and serves as a flagship outdoor attraction for the 10th anniversary of the Norwich Science Festival. It offers a free way for people to learn about space while walking through the city centre.
The trail is organised by the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) in collaboration with The Forum and the Norwich Science Festival. It includes weather‑proof, vandal‑resistant models of the Sun, the eight planets and the dwarf planet Pluto. Each stop has interpretive signage and QR codes linking to augmented‑reality content for visitors to view on their mobile phones.
The Sun model is located at The Forum, while other planets are spread across areas including the Norwich Lanes, the Cathedral Quarter, Chantry Place and Riverside. The distances between the models are designed to demonstrate the vastness of space; the dwarf planet Pluto has been positioned at one of the city’s outer shopping boundaries (for example Riverside or the Cathedral Quarter) — visitors should consult the trail map for the exact location.
Organisers at the Norwich Science Festival say they hope the trail will encourage people to discover parts of the city they might not normally visit. The main festival events run from 14 to 21 February 2026 and will include a new outdoor entertainment space — described by organisers as an ‘arena of science’ — with family shows and activities.
The new trail follows a successful year for Norwich BID: the organisation won the Town and City Management Industry Award for Best Climate Action Scheme in 2025. The trail is free for everyone to use and has been optimised as a 90‑minute family walk that is intended to be easy to complete during the February half‑term.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
