Norwich – a beautiful city

Whilst wandering around the Norwich city centre the day after a wedding, we thought that we should visit this city properly. So, during the Autumn half-term, we stayed there for a few days.

Norwich was England’s second city from the medieval period to the start of the Industrial Revolution. It is the administrative centre of Norfolk, a largely agricultural county.

Here are a few facts about Norwich:

• The area around Norwich cathedral is called Tombland. This sounds quite macabre but the name actually derives from Old English words meaning empty space.
• The market is the largest open-air Monday to Saturday market in the UK. We bought lots of locally grown vegetables and artisan bread.
• Anglian Fashion Fabrics on Magdalen Street is a fantastic fabric shop. It is so good I might go to Norwich just to buy fabric!
• The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art has a stunning collection of modern and ethnic art.
• The Bicycle Shop cafe makes amazing gorgeous coffee and chocolate brownies.
• The Fat Cat real ale pub was really worth the walk from the city centre.
• The art nouveau Royal Arcade is home to Colman’s Mustard Shop and museum.
• We loved the medieval buildings and independent retailers in the Norwich Lanes, including the Crafty Ewe.
• Three days is not long enough to explore this great city!