City guides : Norwich

In medieval times it was the largest city in England. Today, Norwich is a thriving cultural hotspot nestled in the middle of Norfolk. With two universities – the University of East Anglia and Norwich University College of the Arts – there is enough going on to keep any student busy.

Bars and clubs

The majority of Norwich’s clubs can be found along Prince of Wales Road – including student favourites Mercy, Optic and Love 2 Love. There’s also the Mustard Lounge closer to the centre of the city, playing a diverse selection of alternative music genres. Many of the clubs host student nights where entry can often be gained for free. UEA itself has two venues, with events at the LCR on campus twice a week (Tuesday is fancy dress night!), and rock and metal at the Waterfront. There are a selection of bars situated along Norwich Riverside, and plenty of pubs throughout the city – it’s rumoured that in Norwich there is a pub for every day of the year! If you’re out partying late and have spent all your taxi money on drinks, the 25 bus runs throughout the night from the city centre to the university campus.

Shopping

With two large shopping complexes in the city centre – Castle Mall and Chapelfield – there are plenty of opportunities to spend your student loan. Outside of London’s Oxford Street, Norwich is the only place in the UK to have four national department stores – House of Fraser, John Lewis, Debenhams and BHS – as well as independent department store Jarrolds. Individual boutiques, specialist shops and vintage shops can be found on the quieter Norwich Lanes, with the quirky Head In The Clouds being a must-visit. To pick up student bargains there’s a large Primark close to the market, and a TK Maxx in the Castle Mall. And finally, pay a visit to Top Hat on St Benedicts Street for all your fancy dress needs.

Courtesy of www.visitnorwich.co.uk

Eating out

There’s a wide variety of restaurants to cater to all taste buds – you can find Pizza Express, Nando’s, Zizis, Wagamamas and many more in the city centre and close to the bars at Riverside. Not far from the market, Mambo Jambos serves mainly Mexican cuisine, and also has a large cocktail menu. Situated on St Giles Street is the aptly named Waffle House, where every meal is based around a waffle. If you’re after a Wetherspoons dinner there are three pubs to choose from, including the Bell in the city centre and the Glasshouse at Tombland. For takeaways most will deliver to the campus, with a range of pizza, Indian and Chinese available – and some even do student discount, such as the Lucky Tandoori on Dereham Road.

Entertainment

UEA has a reputation as a music venue, with both the LCR on campus and the Waterfront in the city holding gig nights several times a week during the semester. Recent bands and musicians to have visited include the White Lies, La Roux, Enter Shikari and Dizzee Rascal. At Norwich’s Theatre Royal you can see everything from plays to musicals to comedy nights, and of course the Christmas pantomime. There are plenty of art galleries in Norwich including one inside the Castle. The annual Norfolk and Norwich Festival runs throughout May with a large variety of cultural events.

Accommodation

There is a range of accommodation on campus, from the newly built INTO building for international students to the architecturally acclaimed Ziggurats which make up Norfolk and Suffolk Terrace. There is a long standing rivalry between the two terraces which culminates in a pillow fight at the end of the academic year. The majority of student housing lies in the Golden Triangle area between the UEA campus and the city centre, which also includes a variety of local shops and pubs. Rent can be found from £50 per week.

Top 3 places to see

• Norwich Castle
• Norfolk Broads
• The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

With all the excitement of city life in Norwich, and the peace and tranquillity of the Norfolk Broads only a short distance away, with the modern buildings amongst cobbled streets, there is a wealth of variety to cater to every student’s tastes. As Stephen Fry put it, ‘Norwich is a fine city. None finer.’