Norwich: The City You’re Sleeping On

Norwich describes itself as ‘a fine city’, and I think that’s a pretty accurate description. I’ve been coming to Norwich for my whole life as a lot of my family live there. It’s picturesque and a lot quieter than some cities like York or Chester. It makes for a lovely day out, or weekend away.

Getting there?

Norwich isn’t the easiest city in the UK to travel to, but it is worth it. There are train connections from London and Peterborough, as well as a direct train that will take you from Liverpool through various northern cities. 

You can also get to Norwich via the A11, which may be a relatively slow road but it’s got lovely views. 

What to do?

My two favourite places in Norwich are the Cathedral and the Castle. Norwich Cathedral is free to visit, which is really great when a lot of Cathedrals charge hefty admission prices. Donations are encouraged for the upkeep of the Cathedral, but not having an admission fee does help keep the Cathedral accessible for more people. They put on lots of events and installations throughout the year so there will probably be something interesting for you to look at on your visit. The star of Norwich Cathedral is Budge the Cat, who you can find snoozing somewhere on the Cathedral grounds. 

Norwich Castle has just had a major renovation, and the newly done exhibitions are very impressive. They’ve managed to preserve the ability to just go for a nosey in nooks and crannies while making the castle fully wheelchair accessible, even the battlements. There are stunning views of the city, and I think it’s worth the £13.50 admission fee. However, if you’re a student it’s worth getting your Student Art Pass for £5 as that will give you free admission, and can be used at dozens of museums around the country. 

Where to shop

There are lots of cute independent shops in Norwich, including an independent department store called Jarrolds. They have a great range of stock, which now includes a massive Jellycat section and a well stocked food haul. It’s nice to visit a traditional Department Store like this, so I always pop in when I’m in Norwich.

Pascale is another lovely shop to browse for gifts and homewares. They had an extensive range of French soaps and cleaning products that set them apart from a lot of gift shops.

They now have shops across the UK, but Jewellery Shop Lisa Angel originated in Norwich. I’ve had lots of jewellery from Lisa Angel over the years, and they’ve lasted very well due to their high quality materials. One of their USPs is how many products you can personalise, which makes for lots of great gift options. 

Where to eat and drink?

My top recommendation on where to eat in Norwich would be my Auntie Carol’s house, but unfortunately she can’t have you all round for Key Lime Pie. I haven’t ever really eaten out in Norwich, but there are dozens of nice looking restaurants and cafes about. I think you can take a chance on most places in Norwich and probably get a decent meal.

I can recommend St Andrew’s Brewhouse for a pint. The staff there are absolutely lovely, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. I was also offered a student discount on top of their already low prices, which was surprising and very gladly received. 

What’s nearby?  

If you’re in Norwich for a day or two, you absolutely must go to the seaside. There are lots of great beaches nearby that you can get to on the bus, train or in the car. You can do the tacky seaside at Great Yarmouth, or go somewhere quieter at Happisburgh (pronounced Haze borough, Norfolk is weird). The most popular beach destination in Norfolk is probably Cromer, famed for its crabs. The Norfolk coast is always a lovely day out. 

Written by, Eleanor Patamia