The ancient capital of our beloved county
43 mins to Dereham
51 mins to Cromer
This ancient city has been home to writers, radicals and fiercely independent spirits for over a thousand years, and today continues in its legacy as an enclave of culture and creativity. It’s perfectly preserved medieval streets are home to a thriving community of small businesses, a vibrant food scene and an established arts culture. It is also a gateway to a county that continues to inspire people with its unspoilt landscapes, open spaces and big skies.
Norwich
Named as one of the best places to live in 2021, Norwich lies approximately 20 miles from the coast at the confluence of the River Yare and the River Wensum, the latter still bending its way through the heart of the city. In the 11th Century, Norwich was the second largest city in the country, and today is still the UK’s most complete medieval city. Strolling through the historic cobbled streets of Elm Hill, whatever the season, the Tudor architecture retains its character and beauty. Laced with merchant’s houses, thatching, individual homes, speciality shops and small cafes, you’ll be led toward the 1,000-year-old Norwich Cathedral.
The outdoor market in the centre of the city champions local makers and brings locally grown produce direct from farm to table. Surrounding the market are series of cobbled streets known as ‘the Lanes’ that are home to a plethora of independent businesses, and the city is also home to historic traders like shoemakers Bowhill and Elliott, or Jarrolds, whose family- run department store has been trading since 1770.
To the north of the city the University of East Anglia is a remarkable example of brutalist architecture, a striking juxtaposition of the natural and built environment designed by Sir Denys Lasdun. The campus is also home to the Sainsbury centre, a permanent collection of modern and ethnographic art, gifted by the Sainsbury family and housed in Norman Foster’s first public building. The presence of the University, as well as the celebrated Norwich University of the Arts, play a huge part in the cultural and creative life of the city, as does the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, who each year brings a host of international artists and performers to the venues and streets of the city.
Property types in Norwich are incredibly diverse, from city-centre Victorian properties, converted mills and barns, townhouses and luxury new-builds. Central to the city, Newmarket Road is noted for it’s selection of grand houses, and the ‘Golden Triangle’ neighbourhood is a favourite with families. There are also an array of beautiful rural villages within a short drive, notably Stoke Holy Cross to the south, Surlingham to the east, or Bawburgh to the west, where larger rural properties and small estates are often brought to market.
Norwich itself is the only city in the country to fall within a national park, the Broads, and several city boatyards house sailing craft to make the most of the water that spreads across the county. Beyond the city lies the tranquillity and seclusion of Norfolk’s wetland reserves, ancient woodlands and unspoilt coastline. The county boasts 83 miles of coast, spanning seaside towns and windswept beaches. Further south lies Britain’s largest pine forest in Thetford, a small wilderness close to home.
And when the bright lights do call, trains to Liverpool Street take just 90 minutes, and the city’s airport flies to a number of UK destinations, as well as direct to Amsterdam.
Whether they were born here or discovered it later in life, Norwich residents are evangelists for the city, it’s community and its way of life.
This is a city that reveals itself the longer you stay - a city to fall in love with - a city to be a part of.
