Holiday rentals in Norwich

Norwich is a city with an overwhelming historic tradition fused with an excitable student scene. It’s one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, filled with quaint meandering alleyways and featuring a staggering cathedral, a stunning Norman castle, and around 1,500 historic buildings. But it also has a vibrant market and nightlife scene, with an inn for every day of the year and a different church to repent in afterwards. Known as the “City of Stories,” it was the United Kingdom’s first UNESCO City of Literature and has a lively arts scene, plus a plethora of independent bookshops and festivals. The city sits on the doorstep of the Norfolk Broads, the United Kingdom’s largest nationally protected wetland, so you can easily combine a laid-back city break with an exploration of some of England’s finest countryside.

There’s never really a bad time to visit Norwich and stay in one of its holiday cottages. There are events and festivals occurring year round and, if the heavens do open, there are lots of museums, galleries, and historical sites to shelter in. If your visit is going to include a trip to the coast or an amble on the Norfolk Broads, then late spring, summer, or early autumn are ideal times. In May, the Norfolk and Norwich Festival hits the city for 17 days of international arts performances including music, theatre, and dance. For bookworms, the UEA (University of East Anglia) Literary Festival takes place throughout the spring, there’s the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival in September, and July sees the city’s Shakespeare Festival swing into action. Also in September, the city’s Heritage Day opens up historical sites not usually accessible to the general public.

Norwich Cathedral

You really can’t miss Norwich Cathedral. It’s everywhere. This being one of the flatter parts of the United Kingdom, the 315-foot-tall spire of this amazing edifice, completed in 1145, dominates the landscape. Set in 44 acres of beautiful tranquil grounds, it is a glorious place to spend some time. And there’s plenty to see and do around the building, including temporary art and science exhibits, a cafe, and music concerts.

Norwich Castle

Built by the Normans as a royal palace 900 years ago and completed by 1121, this imposing structure eventually became the city’s jail. Now it’s an acclaimed museum and art gallery, featuring galleries dedicated to archaeology, natural history, and fine, decorative, and contemporary art. Highlights include Roman artefacts and a rare (stuffed) specimen of the extinct great auk.

Plantation Garden

It’s hard to believe that this little oasis of calm is right in the city centre. This 3-acre garden was built over a hundred years ago in an abandoned chalk quarry. After World War II it was abandoned and overgrown, but a team of volunteers has lovingly brought it back to life. As well as beautiful plants and flowers, it features Victorian follies and fountains plus hosts music events throughout the year.