Now, from the title it sounds as if I'm not impressed with Norwich doesn't it? Well, that's not the case. However, saying that, I'm not the other way inclined either. When it comes to agreeing with the signs that greet you from at least three separate points around the city, I can't.
Apparently 'Norwich is a fine city'. I have no reason to doubt this, but since I've lived here for the last 28 years, I've nothing to compare life here in 'Naarridge' with. I?m remaining impartial.

You have to admit .... The football team is crap though. But as I neither watch, or like the game, it doesn't really matter does it?

Anyhoo ........

For those of you that fell asleep in Geography, Norwich is in East Anglia. And for those of you that don't know where East Anglia is, well, we are the sticky out bit on the right of the map of the UK. Unless of course you've got it the wrong way round, and then we are Wales!!!

Picture life in 1066. And Norwich was one of the largest towns in England. Built on a, or is it in a, bend of the River Wensum, for defence purposes. In medieval times East Anglia was somewhat isolated by the marshes and Fenland. Of course, if getting in was a problem, so was getting out, and so for 800 odd years the river was the life line of the city, and one of the few direct links with the outside world.

Throughout the years the city grew in prosperity and population, it boasted a Cathedral and a Castle and by the early 16th century it was the second city of England. Team point for anybody who knows what was the first?!?

Today, cos I'm fed up writing about all that old stuff ~ always have hated History since I found out I wasn't learning about the Vikings for GSCE and had to do a war instead, I forget which ~ Norwich still boasts the Cathedral [of which my Father, a Coppersmith, helped to make and secure the gold cross on the top of the spire many
years ago. Not the first one mind you. He's old, just not that old!!] and the Castle.

Although, things have changed for the honeycomb coloured building stuck on a mound stuck in the middle of the city centre.
Once upon a time the castle was, well a Castle, but through the ages it?s also been a County Goal, but was converted to a civic museum in 1894. Oh many a childhood Saturday I spent trawling the rooms of that place. No, not because I was a precosious child, and enjoyed delving into the then [and if I'm honest, still] unknown. But because it was only 5p for entry and it was somewhere to spend the day for minimal spenditure but with maximum fun ~ I, we, were strange kids!!

Frequently the Castle holds special exhibitions concerning Artists and their work. But normally sits on it's mound stuck in the middle of the city looking down it's shops, and business' and it's people and playing host to literally hundreds if not thousands [of which I can't understand. They have the world, or another part of it to see and they want to come to Naarridge?] of tourists a year.
It is pretty much your run of the mill Museum. Stuffed animals, Mummy's, works of Art, China Bowls and, well, a lot of history. Oh, and a deep well! Doesn't stand up there in the list of 'noteable Museums' but it bodes Norwich, her people and her visitors well.
If you fancy a visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/tourism/museums for more details.

Of course, when a City has as much history as ours, don't be suprised to find that we have more than one Museum. In fact, we have several, well a few anyway, more. Although, as you can imagine, none so grand as the Castle.
The smaller Museums offer a better insight to Medieval Norwich, and all you need to know about local trades and industries can be found at The Bridewell Museum located next to St Andrews Church in Bridewell Alley.

If looking at old stuff really isn't your
thing, apart from keeping away from the Museums, I'd keep my eyes closed when walking around certain parts of the City. For the place is littered with old buildings and references to days gone by. The most notable of such streets is Elm Hill and Tombland.

Situated a few moments walk from the Castle [a centre point for not only the City, but this op as well!] here you can walk upon the cobbled road, and let your mind wander back to many many moons ago. I admit, I love walking down this road. None of that namby pamby walking on the relatively flat and easier walking pavement for me. No siree, I risk life and limb in order to walk, or trip as the case usually is, along the cobbles. Imaging life several hundred years ago and wishing the stones could talk.
Nowadays, the Hill plays host to small quaint shops, collectors offerings mainly, from Teddy Bears to old Coins and Stamps. Oh, and Antique shops feature heavily around that area too. I admit, again, that I often head down that way in order to catch a glimpse of Love~'Ian extremely gorgeous McShane'~joy, but of course, he was only here for one episode, and he doesn't really exist so understandably I've not come across him yet :(

Another olde worlde street, this time one that offers nothing but a few dated buildings is King Street. Again, a few moments walk from the Castle. When the city was in it's infancy, this was one of the main streets in Norwich. Situated close to the River, it was a perfect location for merchants to set up home and sell their wares.
As I said, the city is littered with buildings and small streets showing the heritage of the city.
And of course, not forgetting the city wall. Now, and understandably, only noticeable in a few number of places. Chapelfield Road being the most prominent. Again, if only walls could talk.

Somewhere, somebody has said that at one point, Norwich has a Church for every week of the year and a pub for every
day. This I don't doubt. Although, when Norwich turned in to a city of drinkers I don't know? However, I'm neither inclined or have the time to prove this statement wrong. But on turning almost every street corner in the city and finding a place to worship God or the over priced pint, I don't somehow feel the need. And the fact that brewing was one of the chief industries of the city for over two centuries kinda validates the comment anyway.

Situated down by the Cathedral, tucked out of the way, and yet commanding a full staff to cope with the clientele is the Adam & Eve pub. One look at the outside and its claim to be the oldest pub in Norwich is viable. One step over the threshold and you have physically been transported to 1249 when the pub was first built. Reported to be haunted although we saw no sign when, with a group of friends I did a 'Ghost Hunt' one Halloween and was given this particular pub ~ The cleaner was the first sign of life we saw, human or otherwise, and gave us such a fright I dread to think what we would have if something had decided to visit that night!
Any visit to the city is not complete without a drink, and or a meal, or even a little look, at this pub.

To name pubs, that has over the years had the pleasure of my company, and the contents of my purse would turn into an extract from the Yellow Pages! Virtually teetotal now but not always the case. And what I like in a pub might not be what you want, and look for from a drinking hole. There are so many to choose from, if you don't like the one you're in, move on to the next. One thing for sure, you'll never be spoilt for choice.

Now, I admit, I know nothing about Churches. Nor do I want to. However, I realise that a great many of you do, therefore ...

Apart from the majestic presence of the Cathedral, in Medieval Norwich, there stood 57 Churches within the city walls. Today, 31 of them still exist. And if so inclin
ed, the city can also boast the fact that it still has more medieval churches than any other city in Western Europe. The older ones can be spotted by their perpendicular style and the fact that they have been built of local flint.

The majority of the medieval Churches that remain are Christian, although only ten remain in use for worship.
Norwich plays host to probably the finest example in the UK of Victorian ecclesiastical architecture in Early English Gothic style, the Catholic Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist
As I said, Churches ain't my thing, but even I can appreciate this building. This building alone attracts many visitors during the year. For more details ... http://www.stjohncathedral.co.uk

St Peter Mancroft .... Often mistaken for the Cathedral by visitors because of its size. It's the largest Church in Norwich.
St Andrews .... The second largest in the city and another example of fine architecture, this time East Anglian ecclesiastical.
St Giles .... This church boasts the tallest parish church tower in Norwich, standing at 120ft off the ground.

Norwich is not known for its nightlife. Ok, so people might come from the surrounding towns and villages to 'get down and boogie' but it's through need [the need being to 'get down and boogie'] and not choice. Unless they want to head into Gt.Yarmouth there isn't anywhere else! Now, call me old and past it, but my clubbing days are over. Standing shivering waiting for a non existent taxi at 3.00 in the morning while the world is spinning and some thoughtful person [?] has moved the music into my head is no longer my idea of fun. However, if clubbing is your thing head for Tombland, Prince of Wales Road or the new complex on Riverside.

Here you will find a myriad of pubs, clubs and yuppie wine bars [old news I know, but Norwich could never really be called 'up to date'!]
All selling the same overpriced drinks
to the same non descriptive people that only go there in order to tell their friends Monday morning that they spent Saturday evening in Maximo's or The Slug and the Lettuce!!

If yuppie wine bars don't float your boat, Chicago Rock Cafe, Ikon, Concept, the new Time, and various other venues offering drinking and dancing. They are all pretty much of a muchness. There is also an abundance of eateries around this area too.

Prince of Wales road offers grub from all ends of the fast food spectrum. Starting from the Station end of the road we hit K.F.C followed by local franchises that offer Kebabs, baguettes, a Mediterranean 'Medina' restaurant [that is apparently to 'die for' ~ conversation over heard on bus one morning. Not that I'm in the habit of ear wigging you understand. The fact that she was speaking loud enough to tell the complete collection of city workers and shoppers that morning enabled my day to be better for knowing it!!! Oh and she also had time for 'a couple in Maximos' too. Purleese?!] a Chinese and a couple of Indians.

If of course you are looking for some 'grubbage' and it isn't 2 o'clock in the morning, you are not slightly [ok, a lot] inebriated, and it doesn't have to be 'quick before the taxi gets here', there are several other restaurants to tempt the most fickle of palettes.

Looking for expensive and swish ..... Try Adlards. Will kill your purse if not your appetite.
From the amount of Mexican, Cajun and Burger type places we have situated in, and around Norwich, I'm guessing that somehow, somewhere we have hidden a whole sub city of our amigos that need feeding?? 'Fatsos', 'Ben & Jerry's', 'Chigago Rock Cafe' [all Prince of Wales/Riverside end of the city] or Zaks [2 of em within half a mile of each other!] Mambo Jambos or Pedros all offer basically the same and most at reasonable prices. Oh, and not forget
ting the obligatory McDonalds, Burger King, Bella Pasta [of which should most assuredly be kept away from] and Pizza Hut.

If you want Italian, we have Italian, if you want Greek, we have Greek [just off Bridewell Alley ~ guaranteed the warmest of welcomes, the biggest of dishes, and the best of fun] we have Chinese, Indian [of which some have won local 'curry' based' awards] and if you look closely, we also have a couple of rather nice fish restaurants too.

Now, apart from actually living in it, or rather living in one of its suburbs, the only reason I head into the city nowadays is shopping [and it really isn't that often anymore]. And while it serves 'country hicks' [in the nicest possible description you understand :)] from surrounding areas, with all the will in the world, Norwich will probably never find itself on the list for 'best shopping venues'. Oh don't get me wrong, it caters for the people [especially on a Saturday afternoon] and will give you all that you'll find on every other high street in every other town or city. But when you have been shopping in it for neigh on 12 ~ 13 years, Dorothy Perkins, Next, and River Island does tend to get boring. Boots, Argos, Woolworths and Marks & Spencers [of which I only go in if my Mother makes me anyway!!] become predicable. And shopping on a regular basis with a fistful of crisp ones result in me bringing home the said fistful minus the £3.00 that I dropped for the Caramel Macchiato that was consumed whilst sitting window side at Starbucks [again two of them within half a mile of each other??] watching the world, and my neighbours scurry by with their carrier bags galore and wondering what the hell they'd been buying.

I admit, I'm fussy when it comes to clothes. And have, some would say, weird taste in attire too. As I type I've got my most treasured possession in the whole world [well not quite but I'd go back for them if the
house was on fire] on, my flowered Air Wear. Friends, family and people in the street laugh at, and hate them. I love em!

Anyhoo, I digress. What I'm trying to say it that if you require the norm from a shopping experience in the 'fine old city of Naawridge', you'll be delighted. If you require something more, head southwards on the M11 and stop when you get to the 'big smoke' [for those that are not familiar with idodoyo speak .... big smoke = London [BABY!! ~ sorry, say London, hear Joey, can't help myself]

Around 5 or 6 years ago, the powers that be of Norwich decided to dig a huge, and I mean huge, hole by the side of the Castle mound. And instead of filling it with water and planting a Nessie [or some other worthwhile city visiting ploy] they built a shopping mall. And here they filled it with pretty much the same shops that they have on the other main shopping thoroughfares in the city ~ St Stephens Street and Gentleman's walk.

As I said, shopping is of the basic variety.

Just recently, Riverside has been developed from what was once a total eyesore to 'an out of town albeit literally a 5 min walk out of town' shopping estate. It's new [well the buildings are anyway, the shops ..... well, you'll find the majority of them 5 mins back the way you've just come from] mildly exciting, and a way of passing the morning.

The newest addition to the city is the new Library, The Forum, which you can find by the Police Headquarters and overlooking the Market Place. Built with several, several millions pounds its a big glass, metal, and stone monstrosity that now lives on the site of the previous Library, of which burnt to its grave one summers day about 4 years ago. Now that was a sight believe me.

In order to pre empt my fellow 'Norwichites', or other frequent visitors and their comments, yes I know that I have missed things out. But in my defence if I l
ist and describe everything that the city has on offer, this op would be much, much longer than it already is And I'm sure that there are readers that have dropped off by now? So for the buildings, the services and other things that I have left out that mean something, or are considered to be worthy of a mention to my neighbours, I'm sorry!

And just in case there are those of you that have been left wondering what I haven't considered important enough to add, I haven't mentioned the Mustard. The U.E.A. The Station. The Airport. The Theatre. The crap Canaries. Or any other various points of interest that I imagine you are now asking yourself ... 'Why did I leave that out?'. However, if you want to learn about these, head opwards to the Norwich category here on Dooyoo. Failing that head webwards to www.norwich.gov.uk where you'll find all manner of titbits to satisfy your lust for Norwichesque info.

Right, well that's it for me. If I haven't quenched your thirst for knowledge about the city where idodoyou lays her hat [usually a Gap cap when she's having a bad hair day, or a multi coloured myriad of tassels and things that stick out when it's cold ~ That'll be 8 months of the year then!!] I've exhausted my inclination to inform you about it.

If you find yourself in 'Naaawridge' in the foreseeable future, stop for a coffee [I totally reccomend the Macciato} and ponder upon the words of idodoyou. All 3079 of them. Sorry :)


Norwich City Council
City Hall
Norwich
NR2 1NH
Tel: 01603 622233
Fax: 01603 213000

http://www.knowhere.co.uk/255.html Check out this web site for some excellent info on the city. This gives streetwise information and is no doubt a great help to the hundreds of foreign students that flood the city's streets during the summer months.