Aa-haaa, it's Norwich! As the city brought firmly to the attention of millions of Brits by comedian Steve Coogan and his comedy creation Alan Partridge, the town's fictional son and socially inept radio/TV presenter, Norwich is considerably less drab and uninspiring then his rantings may have led many to believe. In fact, in 2008, Norwich was voted tenth in the The Guardian/Observer Travel Awards of the UK's favorite cities. Famous for Colman´s Mustard and chef Delia Smith, the city boasts a mix of medieval charm and modern styling which provides visitors a taste of old world charm with contemporary refinement.
While the city itself is a big draw, the county of Norfolk, for which Norwich is the capital, has an even greater pull. From the waters of the Norfolk Broads to the lush countryside of the Norfolk Downs, the area is rich in spectacular wildlife, fauna and flora. In 2004 the River Wensum was deemed a European Special Area of Conversation, the highest designation an area can be given, and home to otters, brown trout and white-clawed crayfish among other interesting creatures. As such, the region is hugely attractive to ramblers, birdwatchers, boating enthusiasts and anyone with a passion for nature and awe-inspiring vistas. Even more unexpected, is that Norfolk also boasts some of the cleanest beaches in Europe. With fantastic pale sands, and given the right amount of sunshine, beaches like Great Yarmouth and Holkham are the ideal place to build up a tan.
For those living at opposing ends of the country, the easiest and often the most affordable route there is to fly into Norfolk Airport. The low cost airline, Flybe, offers cheap flights to Norwich from several locations including Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Jersey Airport, Exeter Airport and Manchester Airport. Of the several options for onward travel, by far the most popular choice is car hire at Norwich Airport which enables new-comers to truly explore the locale. The three main Norwich car hire firms are based within the airport concourse and are Avis, Europcar and Hertz. Alternate modes of transport include Norwich airport transfers, Norwich Airport buses, which leave regularly and take about 40 minutes to the centre, or the Norwich Airport taxis, located adjacent to the terminal and outside Norwich Airport arrivals.
If the main purpose of your holiday is to find a way to escape the hustle and bustle, then the varied landscapes of Norfolk can oblige. In comparison, cities like Norwich are able to provide more robust stimulation and a wide variety of tourist attractions. Boasting over 1,500 historic buildings, there is no shortage of heritage sites to view from the Norman Cathedral to the timber-framed houses of Elm Hill. The fascinating maze of cobbled streets gives way to retail centres, theatres, galleries and an eclectic nightlife, bequeathing the city a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel. As one of the UK´s top 5 shopping destinations, Norwich also hosts the largest open air Monday-to-Saturday market in the country, where over 200 stalls regularly trade no matter how the Norwich weather turns out.
One of the must see places to visit is Norwich Castle. Built in the 12th century and now used as a museum and art gallery, it is packed to the gunnels with archaeological treasures. The museum features state-of-the-art displays for the children to interact with and one of Britain's foremost collections of Anglo-Saxon artifacts, as well as regular exhibitions from The Tate. Other big attractions include the cathedral, which has the biggest cloisters in England, Stranger´s Hall, one of the oldest and most magnificent buildings in Norwich once home to Mayors and wealthy merchants, and the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum which recounts the lives of ordinary soldiers and their families through examples of personal diaries and letters, alongside weapons and other military paraphernalia.
Throughout the year, the county hosts a series of events for locals and visitors alike. The biggest of these is the Norfolk & Norwich Festival which runs from Friday 1st May until Saturday 16th May in 2009. An amalgamation of art and music, the performances range from classical chamber music through to ground breaking, innovative dance productions and jazz ensembles, while the children are catered for by story-tellers, clowns, acrobats and even a 10,000 square foot giant inflatable sculpture that uses kaleidoscopic light and chill out music to create a weird and wonderful zone. Artists this year include soul singer Mica Paris, legendary West End star Ute Lemper and novelist Martin Amis.
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