Taking the advantage of January being a slightly less eventful month of the year, last week I took a train from London to visit a city I haven’t been to before and have been thinking of visiting for a long time. Norwich is only 2 hours away by train from London and if you book your tickets a little in advance (like I did) return journey costs only £20.

Did you that from the Middle Ages until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the largest city in England after London and one of the most important too? It is also the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom. This makes it a great city to visit for a day trip, or you can stay overnight and then head to explore Norfolk Broads.

Norwich Cathedral

Norwich city centre is just a short walk from the train station. I started my trip with a visit to Norwich Cathedral. Built in the 11th century, the cathedral has the second largest cloisters in England and the second-largest cathedral spire.

Elm Hill

After visiting the Cathedral, I headed to Elm Hill, a pretty historic cobbled lane with many buildings dating back to the Tudor period. Don’t miss the Briton's Arms coffee house, one of five remaining thatched buildings in the City. There is a number of independent shops there including the Dormouse Bookshop.

Tombland bookshop

While in the area, I popped into Tombland bookshop, located in the 15th century building opposite the Cathedral, specialising in secondhand and antiquarian books displayed on two floors.

The Book Hive

Next on my list were Norwich lanes and while on the way there I went to check out another wonderful bookshop located in a quirky building - the Book Hive. It was very tempting to sit on its windowsill on the first floor with a book in hand but as my time in the city was limited, I headed further.

Norwich Lanes

It’s a lively area consisting of a few streets with a wonderful mix of old and new. Biddy’s Tea room (pictured below) looked particularly lovely.

The Bicycle shop (on the right photo below) also looked like a really good place for lunch. I could have spent hours browsing through Saint George’s Centre for the Arts vintage treasures (the left photo below).

I have seen those colourful houses on Instagram before and was keen to find them - they are located on the corner of Pottergate and Ten Bell Lane.

There are plenty of independent stores to check out - I loved Elm offering a range of plants, ceramics and gifts.

After so much walking I stopped for a quick bite at Strangers coffee house who have three cafes in Norwich.

Wilkinson’s of Norwich is an independent tea and coffee merchant - I loved their selection of loose leaf teas and the rich green colour of the facade.

Castle Quarter

Norwich Market has been in its current position for over 900 years and consists or around 200 stalls.

Don’t miss the beautiful art-nouveau Royal Arcade situated right next to the market.

Norwich Castle is another must-visit attraction in Norwich that unfortunately I only saw from behind the wall as it closes at 4:30pm and I ran out of time. A good reason to come back, isn’t it?

A riverside walk

If the weather is nice, a walk along the river is another great activity to do in Norwich. You can make a quick stop by the restored 15th-century, flint stone watergate and 17th-century Pulls Ferry House and see the Cow Tower, 1300s artillery tower built to defend Norwich from invasion.