The ancient city of Norwich prides itself on a rich history filled with medieval heritage and a thriving town centre easily explored on foot. Boasting over 30 medieval churches, including two cathedrals, it’s a hotspot for eye-catching architecture and religious relics.
Norwich’s ancient city centre is home to buildings dating back almost 1,000 years. The imposing Norwich Cathedral has the second-tallest spire in England, making it visible from any part of the city. Dating back to the 12th century, it’s free to enter and features wonderful stained-glass windows and hand-carved bosses. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the pair of peregrine falcons that have been known to nest in the spire during summer. The area around the cathedral is home to around 80 listed buildings, including the 15-century Bishop’s Palace and charming Georgian properties.
You can take a deep dive into the city's extensive history at the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. The castle itself was founded by William the Conqueror around 1095 and now hosts various galleries and exhibitions related to archaeology, natural history, fine art, and more. It’s also worth paying a visit to Dragon Hall, a striking 15th-century timbered building once used for medieval trading and now home to the National Centre for Writing.
Norwich makes for a great base to explore the nearby Norfolk Broads. This national park has endless things to keep you entertained, including boating lakes, thrilling theme parks and quaint seaside towns dotted along the 72 kilometres of unspoilt coastline.