EXPLORE THE AREA
NORWICH
In medieval times, Norwich was one of the greatest cities in England, and today as East Anglia’s capital city, it still is - offering a rare blend of historic interest and modern sophistication.
Norwich is dominated by its magnificent 900 year old Norman cathedral, which boasts the largest monastic cloisters in England, the second largest spire and over 1,000 beautiful medieval roof bosses.
The present structure of Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery has stood since the 12th century and is one of the finest Norman secular buildings anywhere in Europe. Today Norwich Castle is the county’s principal museum, packed with treasures and collections of national importance. Recently extensively refurbished, the museum has extended its galleries and opened up new areas previously unseen.
For those interested in the history of the region, the Castle houses the world’s largest teapot collection and magnificent landscapes of the 19th century Norwich School of painters. The Cathedral library contains 7000 rare books including some of the earliest printed in England. The unique Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum traces the near 200 year history of this favourite delicacy, with 15 different mustards available to sample and buy. Known as the City of Churches, Norwich has over 30 flint-built medieval churches; more than London, Bristol and York combined! In magnificent contrast is Norwich’s newest public building, The Forum, which houses ‘Origins’ a multi-million pound heritage visitor attraction, the finest regional public library in the country, the tourist information centre, and a variety of places to eat. The wide range of pubs, tea-rooms, cafes and restaurants in Norwich, ensure that every taste and budget is catered for. English, French, Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Greek, Mexican, Russian and Belgian flavours can all be found in the city.
A shoppers’ paradise, Norwich is open 7 days a week. In contrast to its modern precincts and malls with many of the big store names, it has the added attraction of the country’s largest 6-day open-air market, as well as hundreds of speciality shops in a maze of cobble-stoned lanes and alleys. Norwich is the perfect Christmas shopping experience too, with impressive displays of Christmas lights illuminating the city from mid November.
Norwich is a city of festivals with the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, a superb multi-venue musical event, held in May, the Lord Mayor’s celebrations including carnival and firework display in July, the CAMRA beer festival in October, the largest beer festival outside London, plus the Norfolk Comedy Festival running throughout October and November.
Norwich has an excellent choice of venues for a great night out. A multitude of new café bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and cinemas has recently burst onto the scene and with such a diversity of entertainment on offer Norwich has something for everyone, whatever their age.
For those with an interest in the arts, there is the 1300-seater Theatre Royal, which provides musicals, opera, ballet, drama and cabaret from top national and international production companies.
The Maddermarket Theatre offers local repertory in atmospheric “Shakespearean” surroundings whilst the Playhouse Theatre attracts contemporary theatre and music from all over the UK. Housed in a converted medieval church, Norwich Puppet Theatre is one of only two dedicated puppet theatres in England. You can see world-class art from the Tate and other international galleries at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery and the architecturally stunning Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
Norwich also provides an ideal base to explore the Norfolk Broads, as well as the region’s market towns and villages, coast and attractions. Blue Badge Guides are available for walking tours of Norwich. For the more adventurous, boat trips on the Norfolk Broads as well as city centre river trips make an exciting way of exploring the attractions of Norfolk.