From the second I visited the UK’s ‘greatest place to dwell’, I felt as if I had stepped right into a storybook, however one thing caught me off guard
I spent the day on this charming UK metropolis brimming with character (Picture: Amy Jones) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
There’s rather a lot to measure as much as when a metropolis has been topped because the ‘greatest place to dwell within the UK’, so I used to be desirous to see what all of the fuss was about, and one factor was immediately noticeable.
Positioned alongside the River Wensum, and fewer than two hours from London, I discovered myself within the charming and medieval metropolis of Norwich in Norfolk, also referred to as the ‘metropolis of tales’. It is characterised by quaint slender lanes, steady courtyards and timber-framed structure, which felt as if I had stepped right into a fairy story, and that was earlier than I discovered the cobblestone lanes on Elm Hill.
Its thriving unbiased scene is probably considered one of its most hanging options, comprising greater than 500 companies throughout the town, with roughly 300 discovered between the paths and alleyways of the Norwich Lanes. That is the place I uncovered the pleasant gems of conventional tearooms, cafés, eating places and bars, alongside classic outlets and cosy bookshops in its labyrinth of unbiased shops – there’s even a church stacked to the brim with antiques.
Norwich is bursting with medieval structure and slender cobbled lanes (Picture: Getty Photos)
Elsewhere, I explored its 900-year-old out of doors market, filled with unbiased eateries and retailers, beneath round 200 vibrant stalls, which was heaving with locals come lunch. I additionally admired the town’s hanging Twelfth-century Norman fort and two magnificent cathedrals, earlier than stumbling throughout an unbiased cinema, galleries, a group theatre, music venues, and two museums in what has usually been seen as an neglected metropolis.
Impressively, Norwich additionally holds the standing of England’s first UNESCO Metropolis of Literature, has Dutch influences, and is called one of many best-preserved medieval cities in England. So with its esteemed titles and unbelievable choices, it is hardly a shock that it was named because the ‘greatest place to dwell within the UK’ for 2026 by the Sunday Instances.
But what I discovered actually units this metropolis aside is the individuals who name it residence. After spending a day in Norwich, I used to be blown away by how pleasant and approachable the locals have been, and the way a lot they adore their ‘metropolis of tales’.
I’ve visited varied UK cities, and amid the hustle and bustle, you will hardly ever be greeted with a smile or a heat suggestion from strangers, significantly in London, however Norwich was fully completely different. Locals have been very happy to cease for a chat, share suggestions for locations to go to, supply native insights, or just speak about how our day was going.
Karen Williams, proprietor of For the Love of Norfolk, based mostly within the iconic Norwich market, was delighted to inform me: “What makes Norwich such a stunning place is that we’re a bit off the overwhelmed monitor, so we’re a bit tougher to get to, however when you’re right here, it is price it.
“We’re so near the coast, and we have got the Broads Nationwide Park, so inside a matter of minutes, you could be out in nature. Norwich itself is kind of compact, so we have got every thing right here, however it’s all really inside a 10-minute stroll, and it is so historic as properly.”
Proprietor of For the Love of Norfolk, Karen Williams along with her beloved sausage canine, Reggie (Picture: Amy Jones)
In the meantime, after chatting about my day in Norwich and sharing a bundle of suggestions, Leanne Fridd, who owns the unbiased kids’s e book store, Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, stated: “Once we have been named as the very best place to dwell within the UK, I’d say most individuals in Norfolk went ‘properly yeah’. We already understand it. However we do get forgotten about due to our location. There are such a lot of unbiased companies in Norwich that it creates extra of a group really feel. So I do assume that is a big a part of it.
Her husband, Dan Fridd, added: “One of many issues we’re well-known for is that folks will come right here for college, or for another purpose, and so they will not be capable to depart afterwards as a result of they only adore it a lot.”
Noting the town’s relaxed method, Leanne additionally shared: “It wasn’t cool rising up, however it’s grow to be cool and truly, I am extremely happy with Norwich and being a part of it as a result of I feel now we have this actual insurgent spirit. However nobody’s in a rush – it’s the Norfolk method”.
Proprietor of Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, Leanne Fridd (Picture: Amy Jones)
“Town is good”, Metropolis Host, Malcolm, later advised me, following a quick chat. “I’ve lived in Norfolk all my life. Lots of people go to and simply keep.”
So, whether or not you are searching for a weekend escape or a time out, I could not advocate a visit to Norwich extra, and also you by no means know who you may get caught up in a dialog with. Even a pleasant welcome and chat in considered one of their cosy unbiased cafés is sufficient to brighten your day, because it did for me.
Do you might have a journey story to share? E mail webtravel@reachplc.com
Leave a Reply