Set in the heart of East Anglia, the historic city of Norwich has everything you would desire of a vibrant regional capital, achieving an enviable balance as an enchanting medieval city and a thriving modern metropolis.

The honey-coloured Norman cathedral and castle dominate the city. One of the finest complete Romanesque buildings in Europe, the cathedral boasts over 1,000 stunning carved roof bosses and its monastic cloisters and close are the largest in England. The present castle structure has stood since the 12th century and is one of the finest Norman secular buildings anywhere in Europe. Today, the castle is the county’s principal museum and is packed with treasures and collections of national importance, including archaeology, natural history and fine art collections. One of the more unusual displays is the largest collection of ceramic teapots in the world!

Norwich boasts the most complete medieval street pattern in England with a number of beautifully preserved streets and cobbled lanes - the most famous and widely photographed of these is Elm Hill, with its attractive timber framed houses, unique shops and cosy coffee house. Norwich has more medieval churches than any other city in western Europe. It was said at one time that Norwich had a pub for every day of the year and a church for every Sunday!

In magnificent contrast, the city’s newest centrepiece is the architecturally stunning Forum, a striking neighbour to the church of St Peter Mancroft. Within the Forum you will find Origins, an interactive visitor attraction exploring the development of Norwich and the area over 2000 years, the tourist information centre, the city’s public library, a restaurant and café-bar.

Voted one of the top ten shopping cities in Britain, Norwich has an extensive array of independent speciality shops, including the Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum, alongside a full representation of the usual high street names and a mall built underneath the castle! Much of the city’s shopping area is pedestrianised and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Norwich also has one of the largest and most colourful open-air markets in the country, open 6 days a week.

There are a large number of beautifully ornate and well-maintained parks in the city, which offer a wide programme of entertainment from theatre to music concerts in summer. The Plantation Garden is a private Victorian garden thought to be the only one in the country with a grade II listing. An Anglia in Bloom award winner and a Britain and Nations in Bloom finalist, Norwich is justifiably proud of its floral displays and its commitment to conservation and cleanliness.

Norwich is regarded as the arts capital of East Anglia with a truly vibrant arts scene comparable with much larger cities. There is a fantastic mix of theatres including the Norwich Theatre Royal, the Maddermarket Theatre, the Norwich Playhouse and Norwich Puppet Theatre (one of only two dedicated puppet theatres in the country). For film-buffs the city boasts four cinemas - Ster Century, UCI and Hollywood screen all the latest releases whilst Cinema City specialises in arthouse films.

There are many festivals, concerts and exhibitions during the year including the Norfolk & Norwich Festival annually in May, the renowned East International at the Norwich Gallery in July/August and the largest beer festival outside of London in October. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts houses a permanent collection of contemporary art and visiting exhibitions.

Numerous pubs, nightclubs, café bars and a vast array of restaurants offering everything from Thai, Moroccan, Lebanese and English, including a Michelin starred restaurant, add to the attractive list of options for a night out.
Norwich is a mixture of many strands. The bustling centre of an agricultural region, where the contribution of the past is valued and preserved, Norwich is also a thoroughly modern city.

The Tourist Information Centre is located in the Forum, Norwich and provides tourist advice, leaflets and guide books for Norwich and Norfolk.

Contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01603 727927.