SHOPPING

If you`ve ever been lucky enough to visit Norwich, it will ll come as no surprise that the town has been ranked in the UK`s top 5 shopping destinations. It`s one British town that’s bursting with personality, from the buzz of its modern high street department stores to the wonder of the intriguing antique shops that line its quaint Georgian streets. Add to this the hustle and banter of a 190 stall market that livens up the town from Monday to Saturday and you have an intoxicating blend that’s good enough for any shopaholic.

The Norwich shopping experience has to begin with The Castle Mall and Chapelfield shopping centres, which between them deliver no less than 150 popular high street stores including House of Fraser. The award-winning Jarrold’s department store lies close by, as well as a flagship John Lewis store. The beauty of the high street area of Norwich is that it’s large enough to offer all the household names yet small and compact enough to cover easily on foot. The area centres around Gentlemans Walk and the surrounding streets, and is home to Marks & Spencer, Primark, Debenhams and many more. A stroll down Gentlemans Walk is never complete without browsing the Art Nouveau styled Royal Arcade, home of the famous museum and shop dedicated to Colmans mustard which originated in Norwich in the early nineteenth century.

Norwich Castle is the town’s focal point and just west of this historic building lie the charming narrow cobbled streets of St Benedicts, Norwich Lanes, Timberhill, St Giles Street, Upper street, and London Street. This is a unique shopping community, a real treasure trove of private retailers where intimate boutiques lie alongside art galleries and classic tea rooms. A stroll down the cobbled pathway of Timberhill is a step back in time, where the curious shopper can pick up high quality unique fashion pieces and home furnishings. This contrasts with the vibrancy of Norwich Lanes, whose trendy cafes and bars are the perfect place to be seen after shopping for alternative fashion, art and gadgets. Along St Benedicts, the variety of shops is enormous, with musical instruments, bridalwear and a well-stocked fancy dress shop lying alongside some excellent restaurants and cafes. Those looking for a little solace should head for Elm Hill, a charming haven of Tudor buildings and cobblestones where ladies of a certain age can hunt for antiques and curios before relaxing in a choice of quintessentially English teashops.

The perfect place for an indulgent shopping weekend break, the Holiday Inn Norwich-North hotel is set within easy reach of Norwich city centre by regular and inexpensive express bus services or indeed by taxi.

For easy access to the city Norwich International Airport links places such as Exeter, Edinburgh & Aberdeen with Norwich thanks to budget airline Flybe - this shoppers paradise has never been more accessible!