Living in Norwich

ARTS

Norwich was the first UK city to hold an arts festival back in 1772 and that tradition continues today. The city holds many festivals and arts events each year ranging from contemporary art, film, animation and music, to food and beer.

The Theatre Royal Norwich, Norwich Playhouse, Maddermarket Theatre and UEA Drama Studio provide quality performances in drama, musicals and dance, complementing many local and regional groups such as the Puppet Theatre. Next door to Norwich University College of the Arts is Cinema City which shows a wide range of international film, video and animations, alongside the normal multiplex cinemas offering the latest blockbusters.

The city also boasts a number of important galleries, such as the Norman Foster designed Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts which houses contemporary art and design including work from Francis Bacon, Giacometti and Henry Moore.

Alternatively, Outpost and STEW are artist-led venues which offer a range of events for artists including networking, exhibitions and training workshops.

NIGHTLIFE

Norwich has many clubs playing everything from '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, trip hop, hip hop, new skool, old skool, break beats, breakdancing, retro, funk, soul, swing, jazz, r 'n' b, reggae, alternative, indie, britpop, rock, metal to dance, chart, house, garage, techno and drum 'n' bass.

Norwich has always had a wide variety of live bands playing at venues such as the UEA, Waterfront, Norwich Arts Centre and Norwich Playhouse.

It is a fact of local amusement and unwarranted pride that Norwich used to have a pub for every day of the year. This may not be the case now, but it would still be hard to find a similar populated town or city with so many pubs and bars. So whatever your taste in drinking establishment you are sure to find what you want in Norwich. Real ale, theme bars, wine bars or the good old fashioned local - you won't be disappointed.

Shopping

Alongside large department stores and fashion houses, Norwich has a large permanent market, open daily except Sunday. The market is a great place to go for anything from fruit and vegetables to second hand books and records. The Castle Mall and Chapelfield shopping complexes contain a wide range of retail outlets, restaurants and cafes.

For the more fashion conscious Norwich has a huge variety of specialist shops selling everything from designer clothing to cheap second hand chic. The Norwich Lanes are abundant with independent clothing outlets, record stores and second hand book dealers.

Norwich also has regular antique and collectors fairs, craft markets and fleamarkets, as well as specialist sales, auctions and exhibitions.

Surrounding Area

Contrasting the energy of the city you'll be spoilt for choice of stimulating natural places to go beyond the city limits. The county of Norfolk enjoys a tranquil coastline strewn with deserted beaches and small fishing communities.

The world famous Norfolk Broads National Park comprises a network of shallow lakes and connecting rivers stretching over 200km. Norfolk's great houses and medieval villages provide their own historical and architectural interest.