Norwich, City Of Hidden Treasures

By Author: Groshan Fabiola
Total Articles: 2678
Comment this article

Norwich is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. It is largely believed to have developed from a number of early Anglo Saxon settlements in the mid 7th century. Since that time it has gone from being a key English port to the shortlist for the first UK City of Culture in 2013, an accolade that any visitor to Norwich would be happy to see bestowed.

Visiting this city is something to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. With 32 medieval churches, two cathedrals and a Norman castle Norwich has heritage, history and culture. But with two shopping malls, sophisticated designer brands, an extensive outdoor market and numerous quirky back street shops it is also rated as one of the top 10 places to shop in the UK. It is the only place outside of London to feature five department stores in its city centre, so you might need to use a Norwich minibus rental service to carry your family and all of your bags! Add into this the city’s vibrant nightlife and you can see why people want to come back to Norwich again and again.

There are plenty of things to do in this magnificent city during ...
... day and night, so you will find it difficult to see all that Norwich has to offer even on an extended holiday. The first place to see must definitely be Norwich Cathedral which is celebrated as one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe. Your journey will continue with a tour of the 12th century Castle which is one of the finest Norman secular buildings in Europe packed with many treasures of national importance.

You can make a stop at some of the many art galleries that boast historical and modern ideas, such as the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts; home to an extraordinary collection of contemporary and world art. A selection of theatres and cinemas including Norwich Theatre Royal will provide some welcome evening entertainment, and a great way to finish would be a visit to the impressive 20th century St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, standing imposingly at the top of the Grapes Hill allowing you to admire the awe-inspiring views of the city.

There are a number of hotels to choose from in central Norwich, and they will place you in striking distance of some of the city’s beautifully ornate and well-maintained parks and gardens. Examples are Victorian Plantation Garden, nestled in the heart of the city which is simply divine or Castle Gardens where during summer you can see outdoor theatre and cinema. There are also many festivals and arts events held in the city – the Norfolk and Norwich Festival is the oldest, single city festival in the country and a prominent international festival which brings together some of the world's most respected artists and performers to the city for 10 days in May.

After venturing into the most beautiful and ancient parts of the city and finding the secrets of historic figures, streets and buildings, you can take a cruise on the river to relax. And at the end of a hard day’s exploring, Norwich offers an extensive range of options for eating out. Fine dining, fast food, pub grub and outdoor eating are all available. There are eateries covering most popular cuisines, and you can even have a Thai on the river. There are many pubs, both themed and traditional so you will never be short of a fresh place to eat and drink.

There is so much to do and to see in this city that you and your family are sure to have a fun-filled time! From guided tours to leisurely river cruises, there are activities that will fit a variety of interests. After visiting this city once, you will soon be planning to come and see it again.

There are a number of ways to get around Norwich. The city has a great bus service and taxis are easy to find. But if you want to get around in comfort and at your own convenience the best way might be to hire a car. There are a number of companies that offer car rental in Norwich, and one such option is Norwich Car Hire. For larger families you might want to consider a minibus and minibus rental Norwich is also offered by the same company at very reasonable prices.

For more information about Norwich car hire or (for bigger families) Norwich minibus hire, please visit http://www.norwichcarhire.co.uk/.