Stracey Hotel

Chill out

by TonyBagnall

Norwich is a very laid back place with a lot to offer, it is so laid back that some people might find it a little boring (not me). There is a gentle pace to life, it is like being in a village but having all the amenities of a city. There are many historial places in Britain but Norwich being a little off the beaten track is perhaps less visited. It's relative geographically isolation from the rest of the country is a main factor in why it has remained unspoilt. That said you could see and do most things in a weekend as it isn't a big place. If you combine Norwich with a trip to the North Norfolk coast and/or the Norfolk Broads you will be on to a great holiday.

Norwich - a fine city

by andreakirkby

"Medieval heritage"

In the late Middle Ages Norwich was one of England's largest and wealthiest cities, and this has left it a heritage of fine 15th and 16th century buildings almost unequalled in the UK. This includes both churches and houses. Subsequent ages added some fine Georgian and Victorian architecture, though opinions differ on the success of modern additions to the townscape such as the Millennium Forum.

Definitely to be visited are the Cathedral, a fine Romanesque building with later vaulting and cloisters and a fine set of roof bosses; the Castle, of the same date; the market place and great late medieval church of St Peter Mancroft; Elm Hill, the cutest street in East Anglia (which narrowly escaped demolition as a slum in the 1930s); Colegate, a fine street of medieval and classical buildings with two 17th century nonconformist chapels; and Dragon Hall, on King Street, a unique medieval trading hall. The Great Hospital, shown above, can only be visited by prior arrangement, or during the Heritage Open Days in September.

"Green spaces"

Norwich is one of the greenest cities I know. There are many small green spaces in the city, and the River Wensum provides a fine area for relaxation - see the picture of Cow Tower below. Every churchyard seems to have fine mature trees. For cyclists there's the Marriott Way, a fine cycle track that heads out along the Wensum Valley.

"Culture"

Norwich punches above its weight in cultural terms, partly due to the influence of the University of East Anglia, noted for a fine school of Creative Writing. (It also (perhaps ironically given its situation in one of the wetter counties of England) has a school of Sarahan Studies!) Both classical and folk music flourish. Now all we need is an opera house.

Norwich also has one of the largest and best beer festivals in the UK, held towards the end of October. I'm a member of the cellar team so I'm biased!