Car Hire Norwich - Mini guide to Norwich

Boasting some of the finest medieval architecture in Britain, the vibrant city of Norwich has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Norwich is the county town of Norfolk, and with its cathedral, castle, and city walls, makes for a fascinating holiday destination.

Located in the centre of the city and probably the chief attraction is Norwich Cathedral (12th C), with the second tallest spire in the country, large monastic cloisters and carved illustrated stone roof bosses, which dominates the city skyline. Nearby is the impressive Norman castle, now the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery which houses outstanding collections of art, archaeology and natural history.

The city centre brings together old and modern England. Starting in the market square, home to one of the most colourful open-air markets in the country, the visitor can explore picturesque cobbled streets and paths, such as Elm Hill, with its delightful medieval half-timbered houses and individual shops. Along side are modern pedestrian avenues, home to many of Britain’s best high-street retailers.

As well as great shopping, the city offers a host of entertainment options, with theatres, cinemas, restaurants, nightclubs, pubs, cafés and floodlit river cruises. The area close to the cathedral has the pick of trendy and stylish bars and restaurants and is the home of the summer street café culture. Alternatively, the Riverside Quarter offers a range of entertainment and leisure options with a variety of bars and restaurants, a tenpin bowling centre and multiplex cinema.

It’s well worth exploring the area around the city, with Norfolk’s dramatic coastline, a great place for cliff top walks and beach picnics, just a short drive away. If you enjoy country houses, Sandringham - a 200 room Victorian-Tudor mansion set in 7000-acre grounds, and home to four generations of British monarchs - should not be missed.

With its own international airport just a few miles from the city centre, Norwich is within easy reach of a number of UK and European cities. Alternatively, for those travellers arriving at one of London’s airports, the city can be reached in under two hours by train from London Liverpool Street Station (hourly departures). Motorists from the south can approach the city easily on the A11, while the lesser A140 traverses the area from north to south and the A47 arrives from the west.

The major suburbs in Norwich are: Bowthorpe, Catton, Costessey, Cringleford, Drayton, Earlham, Hellesdon, Sprowston, Taverham and Thorpe St Andrew.