Known as a medieval city, Norwich has a lot more to offer.
When you think of Norwich, you probably picture narrow cobbled streets, a large medieval cathedral and the Royal Arcade, recently voted one of the 15 most beautiful shopping streets in the UK. The Norfolk city is one of the most popular weekend destinations for tourists from home and abroad, and there is far more to Norwich than the well-known attractions; Falstaff explores some hidden gems.
One thing is for sure in Norwich, history is around every corner; take a new exhibition at Norwich Castle as an example: The Last Voyage of the Gloucester opens on February 25 and will run until September 10, exploring the discovery of the shipwreck of HMS Gloucester on the Norfolk coast.
The ship was carrying James Stuart, Duke of York and Albany, the future King James II of England and James VII of Scotland, when it ran aground off Great Yarmouth on the morning of May 6, 1682, following a dispute about navigating the treacherous Norfolk sandbanks. Many objects have been recovered with possibly the most striking a glass wine bottle bearing a glass seal with what may represent the Washington family coat-of-arms. This links it to George Legge, Master-General of the Ordnance and Governor of Portsmouth, whose mother was born Elizabeth Washington, the cousin of John Washington, who settled in Virginia in 1657. The First President of the United States, George Washington, was directly descended from this John Washington. Tickets to the exhibition are free with museum admission but be advised to book in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
Take a step forward in history to World War II, and you might have heard of a new TV series called Masters of the Air, which will hit our screens this spring. It is about the 100th Bombardment Group of the US Eighth Air Force. The series comes from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and tells about the US personnel stationed in this part of England, which might draw even more attention from US visitors who can follow up the story by visiting the numerous airfields around Norfolk, and the American Library in the centre of Norwich.
Those keen on history will find much more of interest, with the cobbled streets forming the basis of Norwich’s reputation as the “most complete medieval city” in England; you can explore them at Elm Hill. Take a well-earned rest at The Britons Arms, and if you would like to visit a cathedral, you have a choice of two: Norwich Cathedral and the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, both are free to visitors. The previously mentioned Norwich Castle is also home to an art gallery.
If you've had enough of history and churches and art, you won't starve in Norwich with many excellent restaurants and cafes. Benedicts (well-known British restaurant run by Richard Bainbridge), Roger Hickman (suitable for celebrations; lunch menus at reasonable prices), Woolf & Social (famous for sharing), and The Assembly House (in a Grade-I listed building; chef Richard Hughes) are some examples.
Since last November, Castle Social, a street food and entertainment venue, has been home to independent food kitchens and bars: Hanks Dirty Norwich offers a fully vegan menu; Pinker and Green serves drinks, cocktails, charcuterie, and cakes. There is also a second food hall for visitors to try: Yalm in the previously mentioned Royal Arcade; the 300-capacity venue has a ground floor café bar and a restaurant on the first floor.
Local suppliers have always played a significant role here (speaking about history once more), from Fielding Cottage with its award-winning goat’s cheese, to The English Whisky company, to distillery Gyre & Gimble, which produces fine gin. If you're more on the sweet side, you might visit Bellyboos: a sweet treats company recently opened at Chantry Place, an award-winning independent desserts and milkshake business which is family-owned. If you need more sweets, why not try Griffin Sweets, the largest sweet store in the city.
