One of England’s most historic cities, Norwich is the county town of Norfolk and an enduringly popular place to live, work and visit. Full of character, culture and vibrant nightlife, this cosmopolitan cathedral city is affordable for first time buyers and renters, and is even within a national park!
Norwich has a rich and illustrious history. By the time of the Domesday Book it was already a well established settlement, with a large population and strong trading links with Europe. Norwich Castle and Cathedral date from the 11th century. The town grew rich on the wool trade, becoming one of England’s most prosperous towns in the medieval period. The most obvious sign of this is the number of churches that were built – in fact there are more medieval churches in Norwich than any similar sized city in Western Europe north of Italy. Norwich’s wealth continued well into the 19th century, and unlike many towns and cities it has retained its historic character. Most visitors to Norwich today would agree with the playwright J. B. Priestley, when he wrote in the 1930s: ‘What a grand, higgledy-piggledly, sensible old place Norwich is’.
Norwich has a thriving property market, as you might expect from such an attractive small city. But prices here have risen less than the national average. The most expensive areas are the ‘Golden Triangle’, with its leafy lanes and period properties to the west of the city centre, and the suburbs of Eaton and Thorpe St Andrew.
There are some exciting new build opportunities in and around the Norwich area. They include Cringleford Heights, a 3 and 4 bedroomed development in the sought-after village of Cringleford on the outskirts of Norwich. For something a little closer to the city centre, the final phase of the popular Canary Quay development is now available, offering 1 and 2 bedroom apartments on a mixed use riverside location on the banks of the Wensum.
Rents in Norwich are slightly lower than the national average, so renting is more affordable here than in some comparable cities. The NR3 area has the most affordable city centre rents.
The best primary schools in Norwich include Mile Cross Primary School on Braiser Road, and Charles Darwin Primary School on Rose Lane, both rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. ‘Outstanding’ secondary state schools include Jane Austen College on Colegate, while Notre Dame High School on Surrey Street is rated ‘good’. Norwich School is one of the UK’s oldest independent schools, founded in 1096. The University of East Anglia is based in Norwich and is a popular destination for undergraduates. City College Norwich offers further education courses, apprenticeships and vocational degrees.
Norwich is one of the best connected places in the East of England. It is the terminus of the rail line from London Liverpool Street, with 30 departures to the capital per day and a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes. The A140, A47 and A11 are the main trunk roads, with Ipswich, Cambridge and Peterborough all within commuting distance. Norwich Airport, just 20 minutes drive from the city centre, operates short haul flights to European locations including Amsterdam, Alicante and Corfu.
Don’t miss a visit to Norwich Cathedral, which has stood proudly in the city for over 900 years, and is full of fascinating architectural features. Explore Cathedral Close too, a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the busy modern city. Norwich Castle is another iconic landmark, a hilltop Norman keep with a museum and art gallery. Norwich is full of picturesque streets like Elm Hill and Princes Street, which have barely changed since medieval and Tudor times. The Lanes is a cosy area of quaint shopping streets, courtyards and lanes teeming with cafés, independent shops and restaurants.
Norwich is a very cultural city – so much so that in 2012 it became England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. There is always something going on here. Catch a play, comedy, opera or a show at the Theatre Royal, one of the UK’s longest established theatres. Gig goers will love what Norwich has to offer. The city is packed with excellent music venues, such as The Adrian Flux Waterfront, Norwich Arts Centre and Epic Studios. Or take a literary walking tour of Norwich, and discover why it has been a place of ideas and words for so long.
There are no shortage of great restaurants in Norwich. Try Benoli on Timber Hill for simple, beautiful Italian dishes that are so good the restaurant has made it into the Michelin guide; the Blue Joanna on Unthank Road for delicious Asian cuisine; The Ivy Norwich Brasserie for relaxed, sophisticated dining in Art Deco surroundings, and Gem of Norwich on Thorpe Road for homemade Turkish dishes.
Norwich is a great base for exploring the Broads National Park, the peaceful waterways that wind through this region. The city is actually within the national park itself, the only city in England with this distinction. Norwich is less than an hour’s drive from the stunning North Norfolk coast, with its long sandy beaches, big skies and salt marshes, a haven for birds and wildlife. The traditional seaside towns of Cromer, Hunstanton and Great Yarmouth are close by too.
Let us know! We have a wide range of stunning homes available to buy and rent in and around Norwich. Give us a call at 01493 509362, contact us via our website or come in and visit one of our branches.