As the autumnal nights begin to draw in SIMON PARKIN stays up to offer you a right-through-the-night guide to Norfolk after dark, from ghost hunts to star-spotting, 24-hour shopping to late-night drinking.

7pm

Ghost Tours

From Adam and Eve pub, Bishopsgate, Mon/Tues/Thurs, 7.30pm, �6 (�4 cons), 07831 189985, www.ghostwalksnorwich.co.uk

Take a tour of the city's spooky sights down dark streets and alleys to hear the chilling stories behind some of Norwich's oldest buildings. The two-hour walks continue until November led by the Man in Black, and are filled with the real-life stories of the macabre.

Greyhound Racing

Yarmouth Stadium, �7.50 (�6.50 cons), 01493 720343, www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk

A night at the dogs, cheering on greyhounds as they run around the floodlit track, is a guaranteed good evening. Action packed greyhound racing is staged at Yarmouth Stadium every Monday and Wednesday at 6.30pm and on Saturdays at 7.30pm.

8pm

Watch Sunset

Anywhere with a perfect westwards view.

There is surely nothing more evocative — or romantic — than watching the sun go down. You need the perfect spot to take it in of

course. In Norwich, gazing over the city skyline from Mousehold Heath offers spectacular views as the sun dips below the horizon. If you prefer the beach, try Hunstanton, one of the few spots on the Norfolk coast that offers a westerly view out to sea.

Night Fishing

ShallowBrook Fishing Lakes, Costessey, �6, 01603 747667, www.shallowbrook.co.uk

Most night fishing waters require an annual permit for which there is likely to be a long waiting list. ShallowBrook Fishing Lakes, located on Norwich Road, Costessey, allows after dark fishing and there is plenty of room for bivvies. Chapel Road Lake at Roughton (01263 761369) also allows overnight fishing by arrangement, with tickets �10 (�8 cons).

9pm

Gaze At The Stars

Norwich Astronomical Society, Seething Observatory, 01953 602624, www.norwich.astronomicalsociety.org.uk

Established 63 years ago, Norwich Astronomical Society is now based at a purpose-built observatory at Seething, and runs regular public events, including open evenings with chance to peer through the telescope.

Halloween Horror Basement Tours

Holkham Hall, October 27-30, 5pm-8pm, �10, �7 children, 01328 713111, www.holkham.co.uk

It won't be just the heating pipes making strange noises below stairs in Holkham Hall, as a renowned Victorian ghost hunter leads this special Halloween hunt for all things ghoulish and unlocks the secrets hidden in the laby-rinth of cellars beneath this grand mansion.

Conversational Dinner Parties

Various venues, www.unthanksupperclub.blogspot.com

Unthank Supper Club host friendly monthly underground dining experiences, meeting in the heart of Norwich. They are passionate and experienced cooks and create an informal and lively evening of good food, folk and natter. The winter party season begins on November 25 with a Prohibition Supper Club.

Creatures of the Night

Ranworth Broad, October 25/27, 6pm-9pm, �4.50, �6.50 children, 01603 270479, www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

This is a chance to see and hear the wonderful nocturnal wildlife. Dissect an owl pellet, be a bat detective and make your own creature of the night to take home.

10pm

Cabaret

Norwich Arts Centre, November 19, 8pm-1am, �10, 01603 629921, www.hocuspocustheatre.co.uk

No Strings Boogaloo is Norwich's very own showcase of vaudeville and burlesque, hosted by Hocus Pocus Thea-tre. Their regular events feature a mix of local talent, together with some of the hottest names on the burgeoning cabaret circuit.

11pm

Friday Frighteners

Cinema City, October 7, 11pm, �6, 0871 9025724, www.picturehouses.co.uk

Cinema City's monthly late-night horror screenings will take you past the witching hour and beyond. The latest screening is tonight and is Japanese horror classic Ring, part occult thriller and part Videodrome-esque tale of technology with a mind of its own.

Camp Under the Stars

Various locations

Away from the light pollution of the city, Norfolk is blessed with some of the country's best night skies. So to enjoy it you'll need to get out into the wilds. Kelling Heath, near Holt, is renowned for its dark skies and is a fam-ily friendly location. Or try Waxham Sands, a camp site located by a fantastic stretch of sand dunes.

Midnight

Color-ful Birthday

Waterfront, October 14, 10pm-4am, �10 (�8 cons), 01603 508050, www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk

Genre-busting club night Color celebrates its first birthday next weekend with aline-up featuring Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Culture Shock and Serum, plus the usual audio-visual extravaganza (nearly) right through until dawn.

1am

Have A Late Night Pint

Various locations

Most city centre pubs and bars have a late licence though not all choose to exercise it, especially during the week. Some of our Norwich favourites include Frank's Bar, in Bedford Street, which opens until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturday, The Birdcage, on Pottergate, which hosts all manner of late-night fun, and Beluga, on King Street, which has late night DJs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

2am

Go Gambling

Grosvenor Casino, Marine Parade, Yarmouth, 01493 850444, www.grosvenorcasinos.com

Whether you're a serious player, playing for fun or would like to pretend to be James Bond, a trip to the casino is one of those must-do at least once experiences for everyone. The Grosvenor is open until 5am daily. It hosts learn to play sessions every other Thursday.

3am

Go Shopping

Various locations, find late night shops at: www.opening-times.co.uk

Insomniacs, stoned students, people with phobias about queuing — just who is it that goes shopping in the middle of the night? Find out with a trip to one of the growing number of supermarkets that are open 24-hours. Tesco at Harford Bridge is open round-the-clock seven days a week, as are the Tesco Express at Fiveways on Earlham Road and Asda on Drayton Road.

4am

Play Snooker

Canary Cue Club, St Mary's Plain, Norwich, 01603 627478

The Canary Cue Club has been a late night haunt since 1979 and has seen some of the best players in the area hone their skills on its tables. Also open 24-hours (Thurs-Sat, closes at 1am Mon-Wed/Sun) is the flashy upstart Riley's on Magdalen Street which has pool, snooker and darts.

Listen To Wally Webb

Radio Norfolk, 4am-6am

Alan Partridge famously broadcast in the so-called graveyard slot on Radio Norwich, and Wally Webb (on whom Steve Coogan allegedly based his character) also graces the airwaves from the crack of dawn. He hosts the very early breakfast show for Radio Norfolk.

5am

Dawn Chorus

Set your alarm and open the window

Every morning, probably while you're still snoring, a glorious choir is singing to greet the new day. To listen to nature's most beautiful sounds, simply get up early enough, preferably before the daily hubbub starts, and listen.

6am

Car-Boot Sales

Various locations

Everyone knows you have to get down early to a car-boot sale to get the pick of the bargains. But how early's early? Many see sellers start arriving at a bleary-eyed 6am. And if you want to bag a bargain you'll not be far be-hind.

7am

Pick of The Crop

Norwich Market

The stalls on Norwich market are simply the best places to pick up the freshest meat, fish and flowers and the sooner you get their the fresher they are. Many stalls begin setting up from 7am, and what could be better than buying the best for breakfast?