| Norwich is the county city of Norfolk, which means | | | | afield and can trace its roots back to 1772. Recently, |
| that there is plenty to see and do when you pay a | | | | it has featured performers such as Ray Davies (of |
| visit to the area. | | | | Kinks fame) and the London Philharmonic Orchestra |
| Norwich can trace its roots back to Roman times and | | | | playing a score from a Charlie Chaplin film. There are |
| although it is some way from the coast, it played a | | | | both indoor and outdoor performances during the |
| large role in the times of the Norman Conquest, | | | | festival, some of which are free events. |
| probably due to its importance for trade even in | | | | Norwich residents fortunately have a sense of humor: |
| those days. Indeed at that time it is thought to have | | | | the fictitious radio DJ Alan Partridge, brainchild of |
| been one of the largest cities in the country. | | | | actor Steve Coogan, broadcasts his shows from the |
| Times have moved on and Norwich is now more | | | | city. His distaste for the city is misplaced but comes |
| famous for its shopping than its distant invaders. | | | | across in his humor. |
| Shoppers will be delighted to visit the ancient market | | | | Sports fans will hope to take in a game by the |
| place which has been thriving since the time of the | | | | Canaries, the nickname of Norwich City football club |
| Normans and is now the largest open air market in | | | | when they play at Carrow Road. |
| England, opening six days a week. | | | | Unexpectedly for a mainly fenland area, there is a |
| More modern shops can be found in The Mall (which | | | | Norfolk Ski and Snowboarding club at nearby Trowse. |
| recently changed its name from Castle Mall, so you | | | | So you may be able to practice your skills when you |
| may still find references to the old name in some | | | | are in town. |
| guide books). This was built to blend in with the | | | | Perhaps because of its excellent shopping, Norwich is |
| historic city and much of the building is built into the | | | | a popular city break destination. The shopping |
| side of a hill. | | | | features both the usual national chain retailers as well |
| Its main rival is the Chapelfield mall, which has been | | | | as many local stores where you can come across a |
| built on the site of an old chocolate factory. | | | | variety of more unusual items. You can also |
| As a university town, you can expect to find a wide | | | | investigate the history of the area and walk down its |
| range of other things to do, some cultural, some less | | | | cobbled streets, maybe on your way to one of the |
| so. | | | | several museums who make there home here. |
| Make sure you book your Norwich hotel in advance if | | | | Historical buildings include Norwich Cathedral, which |
| you visit at the same time as the annual Norfolk and | | | | can trace its roots back to the eleventh century and |
| Norwich Festival. This arts and music festival draws | | | | the castle (which is now actually a museum) which is |
| crowds in from across the county and from further | | | | about 100 years younger than the cathedral. |