Norwich is a real gem in terms of preservation, with its cobbled streets and relaxed, almost laid-back atmosphere. It is one of the oldest cities of the East Anglia region, and has already been an important Saxon-fortified point in the ninth century. Norwich still has…Read More

Norwich is a real gem in terms of preservation, with its cobbled streets and relaxed, almost laid-back atmosphere. It is one of the oldest cities of the East Anglia region, and has already been an important Saxon-fortified point in the ninth century. Norwich still has the street plan dating back to those times. The town’s fortunes rose rapidly when the 12th century began and trading and textile industry flourished. Only the industrial revolution of the 19th century put an end to this extraordinary prosperity of what effectively has always been a rather small town.





When planning to visit Norwich, you should absolutely leave time to enjoy a walk along the nice, old, cobbled streets, like Elm Hill, for example, and also along those parts of the 14th-century city wall that survived the course of time. But major sights are not to be left out as well - Norwich Cathedral for one. The magnificent white stone used for the construction was shipped in from France by Bishop Losinga before works began in 1096. Today it boasts the second highest spear in England, the arched and vaulted roof, and displays of the most famous Bible passages. The interiors include wooden carven cloisters and the choir and the 14th-century Despenser Reredos, which was saved from the Puritans’ destruction.





After you have experienced all the numerous sights and chapels of the cathedral, you can pass on to the next sights, St. Ethelbert’s Gate and Erpingham Gate. Plenty of old architecture still remains, including the keep of the 12th-century castle (and the castle museum), the Church of St. Peter Mancroft, built in the mid-15th century, the 15th-century Guildhall, and the 14th-century Strangers’ Hall.





If you have time, you should extend your visit to include the Bridewell Museum, featuring the local industries which made Norwich famous and prosperous during the Middle Ages, and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, including a remarkable collection of modern European paintings, which includes Modigliani and Picasso.

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The population of Norwich is approximately 170,000, but the city is also home to a large university (University of East Anglia), an arts school (Norwich School of Art & Design), and two smaller colleges (Teacher's and City). So there are lots of students that…Read More

The population of Norwich is approximately 170,000, but the city is also home to a large university (University of East Anglia), an arts school (Norwich School of Art & Design), and two smaller colleges (Teacher's and City). So there are lots of students that swell the population during the academic year (September to June).

I attend the University of East Anglia, which has about 10,000 students, and around 2,000 of them are international. All first-years live on-campus, as well as the odd second/third/postgrads; but most of the older students live in Norwich, either in the Golden Triangle (largely a student neighborhood) or in the city centre proper.

The uni hosts massive concrete buildings, courtesy of Sir Denys Lasdun's architectural vision, circa 1965. They haven't weathered well, as they are based off of gleaming white marble buildings in more southerly and hospitable climates. The buildings are an ugly gray color, discolored by rain and weather, and look disconcertingly industrial against the backdrop of the Broads -- a lush, green expanse, complete with artificial lake. Prior to being a uni campus, the site was actually a golf course. The uni notably hosts the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts (SCVA), which is an art gallery/museum/school, and in turn hosts Buffet (a casual buffet), The Gallery Cafe (smart cafe), and The Buttery (fancy, upscale restaurant). SCVA is open 11 to 5, Tuesday through Sunday; admission is £2.50.

If you're into less 'artsy' fare, check out The Diner and The Bowl (which is above The Diner) in The Square (which is the congregation point/open space in the middle of campus). The Diner serves up greasy spoon style, and The Bowl offers quick to-go meals and snacks. There's also The Hive and the Union Pub in the Union House building catty-corner. The Union Pub, flush from a £1.2 million renovation, is a bright, very smart, almost-trendy space. The Hive is less so, located upstairs in Union House, and the only venue to serve food (sandwiches mostly) AND alcohol. There's also SASSAF, a window above The Hive, that sells sandwiches, crisps, drinks and sausage rolls daily 12 to 2pm to benefit South African charities.

If you'd like to make your own, stop into the Union Food Outlet (UFO) on The Street (the stretch that leads past the Pub), which stocks a little of everything and is great for times when you 'need a cup of sugar' -- because your fresher neighbors are sure to not have any!