Norwich is considered to have a wealth of historical architecture. The medieval period is represented by the 11th-century Norwich Cathedral, 12th-century castle (now a museum) and a large number of parish churches. During the Middle Ages, 57 churches stood within the city wall; 31 still exist today.[1] Most of the medieval building is in the city centre. From the 18th century the pre-eminent local name is Thomas Ivory, who built the Assembly Rooms (1776), the Octagon Chapel (1756), St Helen’s House (1752) in the grounds of the Great Hospital, and innovative speculative housing in Surrey Street (c. 1761). Ivory should not be confused with the Irish architect of the same name and similar period.

The 19th century saw an explosion in Norwich’s size and much of its housing stock, as well as commercial building in the city centre, dates from this period. The local architect of the Victorian and Edwardian periods who has continued to command most critical respect was George Skipper (1856-1948). Examples of his work include the headquarters of Norwich Union on Surrey Street; the Art Nouveau Royal Arcade; and the Hotel de Paris in the nearby seaside town of Cromer. The neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral on Earlham Road, begun in 1882, is by George Gilbert Scott Junior and his brother, John Oldrid Scott.

The city continued to grow through the 20th century and much housing, particularly in areas further out from the city centre, dates from that century. The first notable building post-Skipper was the city hall by CH James and SR Pierce, opened in 1938. Bombing during the Second World War, while resulting in relatively little loss of life, caused significant damage to housing stock in the city centre. Much of the replacement postwar stock was designed by the local authority architect, David Percival. However, the major postwar development in Norwich from an architectural point of view was the opening of the University of East Anglia in 1964. Originally designed by Denys Lasdun (his design was never completely executed), it has been added to over subsequent decades by major names such as Norman Foster and Rick Mather.

Satirical comedian Steve Coogan located his fictional, unbearably vain, cheesy broadcaster ‘Alan Partridge’ in Norfolk, specifically hosting the pre-breakfast show on the fictional independent station ‘Radio Norwich’. It exploited the county’s reputation as being somewhat detached from modern trends, past its prime, and rather peripheral to national life.

Other comic entertainers who have drawn comedy from that stereotype include Allan Smethurst ‘The Singing Postman’ and The Kipper Family lately represented by ’son’ Sid Kipper, though these are associated with Norfolk in general and not just the City. These have been joined by The Nimmo Twins

Independent radio stations are Radio Broadland (formerly Broadland 102) and Classic Gold Amber. BBC Radio Norfolk and the University of East Anglia’s Livewire 1350 all broadcast to the city.

The city’s economy, originally chiefly industrial with shoemaking a large sector, has changed throughout the eighties and nineties to a service-based economy. Norwich Union, an Aviva company, still dominates these, but has been joined by other insurance and financial services companies.

Norwich Market is an ancient market place, established by the Normans between 1071 and 1074, and is today the largest 6 days a week open air market in England.

New developments on the former Boulton and Paul site include the Riverside entertainment complex with nightclubs and other venues featuring the usual national leisure brands. Nearby, the football stadium is being upgraded with more residential property development alongside the river Wensum.

Castle Mall, a shopping mall designed by local practice Lambert, Scott and Innes and opened in 1993, presents an ingenious solution to the problem of sensitively creating new retail space in a historic city-centre environment - the building is largely buried underground and in the side of a hill.

The new Chapelfield shopping mall has been built on the site where the Caleys (later Rowntree Mackintosh and Nestle) chocolate factory once stood. This opened in late September 2005, and is described as ‘a major new shopping experience’, featuring a new three-floor flagship House of Fraser department store. The new shopping mall has largely been criticised as unnecessary and damaging to local businesses.

Archant, formerly known as Eastern Counties Newspapers (ECN) is a national publishing group that has grown out of the city’s local newspaper, the Norwich Evening News and the regional Eastern Daily Press (EDP).

Norwich has long been associated with the manufacture of mustard. Colman’s was founded in 1814 and continues to operate from its factory at Carrow.

Roman

The Romans had their regional capital at Venta Icenorum on the river to the south which is now at modern day Caistor St Edmund. No sign of Roman influence can be seen in Norwich.

Early English/Norman Conquest

Norwich was a construct of the Anglo-Saxons, the Danes and the Normans. The word Norvic appears on coins minted during the reign of King Athelstan (early 10th century AD). The ancient city was already a thriving centre for trade and commerce in East Anglia when Swein Forkbeard the Viking destroyed it in 1004 AD.

At the time of the Norman Conquest the city was one of the largest in England, and it continued to be a major centre for trade, especially wool. The River Wensum was a convenient exporting route to the sea.

The main area of the city south of the Wensum was destroyed by the construction of the Norman castle (see Norwich Castle) during the 1070s creation of a “New” or “French” borough.

In 1096 Bishop Losinga, then Bishop of Thetford, began construction of the cathedral, then moved his See there to what became the cathedral church for the Diocese of Norwich. The bishop of Norwich stills signs himself Norvic.

Middle ages

By the middle of the fourteenth century the City Walls, about two and a half miles (4 km) long had been completed. These, along with the river, enclosed a large area, larger than that of the City of London. In the early part of the fifteenth century, Julian of Norwich wrote her famous work.

In 1144 the Jews of Norwich were falsely accused of ritual murder after a boy (William of Norwich) was found dead with stab wounds. The story was turned into a cult, with William acquiring the status of martyr and crowds of pilgrims bringing wealth to the local church. On Feb 6, 1190, all the Jews of Norwich were massacred except for a few who found refuge in the castle.

The wealth generated by the wool trade throughout the Middle Ages resulted in the construction of many fine churches. Norwich still has one of the highest number of medieval churches in Western Europe. Norwich Market had trading links from Scandinavia to Spain. Around this time, the city was made a county corporate. (more…)

Norwich (pronounced variously “Norritch”, “Norridge”) is a city in East Anglia, in Eastern England, and the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk.
In effect the City expands a long way beyond its actual borough boundary, with large suburban areas on most sides, particularly Thorpe St.

Andrew on the eastern side. The Parliamentary seats cross over into adjacent local government districts. The population for the Norwich Urban sub-area was 174,047 in 2001. It is the 27th largest settlement in England using this measure.

However, the population for the whole built-up area was 194,839 in 2001 (census figures), up 5.1% from the 1991 figure of 185,420. It is the 32nd-largest urban area in EnglandThere are many medieval churches as well as a cathedral founded in 1096 by the first bishop of Norwich. Norwich Castle, part of which dates from Norman times, was made (1894) into a museum for collections of natural history and local antiquities.

It also houses paintings of the 18th- and 19th-century Norwich school of artists. Other old buildings include St. Giles’s Hospital (13th cent.), Suckling House (14th cent.), Strangers Hall (15th cent.; now a museum), the guildhall (15th cent.), and St. Andrew’s Hall (15th cent.; formerly a Dominican church). The Maddermarket Theatre, a reconstruction of a Shakespearean theater, has a permanent amateur company. The Norwich grammar school dates from the 13th cent.

The city is also the cultural center of the county; triennial music festivals have been held there since 1824. It is seat of the Univ. of East Anglia (1963). The writer Harriet Martineau was born in Norwich.

For business meetings, both men and women wear suits. For social occasions ‘smart casual’ is usual, although some exclusive restaurants may insist on more formal dress.
Waterproofing throughout the year. Warm clothing is advisable at all times, and is essential for any visits to upland areas.

Liverpool has a well-deserved reputation as a party city and there are numerous traditional pubs, trendy bars and clubs for visitors to choose from.

Bars: There’s a lively scene around Concert Square in the center of town where a host of late bars and clubs offering loud music and plenty of cheap drinks promotions can be found. For those wanting to get dressed up in their finest glad rags and rub shoulders with the city’s elite, try Baby Blue or the Blue Bar and Grill, both on Edward Pavilion at Albert Dock . Baa Bar on Fleet Street is another trendy place that has a laid back style and is popular with young urbanites.

Clubs: The city has a big clubbing scene and Liverpool’s most famous club night is Cream at Nation off Slater Street; the club no longer holds its monthly nights but it’s well worth trying to make it to one of the one-off events of which there are usually three or four a year.

Cream has been so successful it’s spawned its own international brand with other Cream events taking place at clubs and venues all over the world. For something a little more laid back, try the Camel Club on Wood Street, which plays a good mix of urban music and is popular with the city’s large student population.

Live Music: The city is synonymous with live music acts and many visitors to Liverpool head to the famous Cavern Club (website: www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk) on Mathew Street in the heart of the Cavern Quarter where The Beatles first made their name - although the modern day Cavern Club is actually a replica built on the same site after the original closed down and was demolished in 1973. But it’s still a great place to hear live music with local bands often performing afternoon sets at the weekend.

The Zanzibar Club (website: www.thezanzibarclub.co.uk) on Seel Street is another popular venue with an excellent reputation for its live music program. There are plenty of other small- to mid-size venues that put on live acts dotted around the city. Bigger music acts can be seen at the Liverpool Carling Academy on Hotham Street.

Music, Dance and Theater: The city has several top theater venues in or close to Hope Street in the center of town including the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the Everyman and Playhouse theaters . Close to the main train station on Lime Street, Liverpool’s Empire Theater is the largest two-tiered theater in the UK. All have a packed year-round program of theater and dance productions. The Olympia on West Derby Road is one of the city’s largest concert venues with an interior modeled on the Moscow Kirov Ballet. For more music info, see ‘Nightlife’.

Comedy: Comedy is another important part of the Liverpudlian identity and the city has produced famous comics as diverse as Jimmy Tarbuck and Paul O’Grady - otherwise known as Lilly Savage. Many of the bigger comedy acts perform in the large theaters but some of the city’s up and coming talent can be caught at the Rawhide Comedy Club located on Roe Street, close to Lime Street train station.

Film: For quieter nights, there is no shortage of cinemas in the city; for mainstream releases take your pick from the Odeon on London Road, or Cineworld (UGC) on Montrose Way on the Edge Lane Retail Park slightly out of town. For art house releases, try the Picturehouse inside the city’s excellent FACT multi-media arts center that’s dedicated to film, art and creative technology.

Sightseeing Overview

Located on the northwest coast of England along the northern bank of the River Mersey, Liverpool is one of the UK’s major cities. It prospered during the 18th century on the triangular trade of slavery and grew to become an important mercantile port in the region. After 1807 when slavery was abolished and through to the 1930s, Liverpool developed as a major migration port from where millions of people looking for a new start set sail for Australia and the Americas. And many of the city’s sights reflect this incredible period in Liverpool’s history.

The famous Albert Dock was built in 1846 and was the hub of the city’s prosperous port activities. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dock has been extensively redeveloped and is now one of the city’s most cosmopolitan areas that’s home to numerous bars, restaurants and museums including the Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story and the Maritime Museum.

North of Albert Dock is a trio of spectacular buildings (the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building) which were built in the early 20th century to impress upon visitors the importance of the city. Other principal attractions include the unusual Metropolitan RC Cathedral and the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, with its spectacular panoramic views across the city.

There is also an office in the arrivals hall of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and another office at the Merseyside Maritime Museum at Albert Dock (same telephone numbers and website address). All offer advice on the city’s attractions and help with finding accommodation.

Passes

In 2005 the city introduced a Live Smart pass (website: www.livesmart.tv) for tourists offering free or discounted entry to many of the city’s top attractions as well as unlimited travel on some of the city’s transport systems, including a circular sightseeing bus tour and Mersey Ferries. The card also entitles the bearer to selected deals at discounts at a number of shops, bars and restaurants around the city. One- and three-day passes are available. Passes are available from the tourist offices or direct from the website.

Key Attractions:

Albert Dock

When it was built in 1846, it was the first enclosed, non-combustible dock warehouse system in the world and the first structure in Britain to be built entirely of cast iron, brick and stone. It prospered for over a century before finally ceasing operating as a working dock in 1972 after which it was redeveloped into a thriving museum, bar and restaurant area. The Dock has the largest grouping of Grade I listed buildings in Britain and is home to many of the city’s top attractions.

Tate Liverpool

Part of the Tate family of museums, the Tate Liverpool is one of the largest galleries of modern and contemporary art outside of London. It displays works of art from the Tate collection as well as special exhibitions. Welcome talks can be arranged and there are family events each Sunday afternoon.

The Walker Museum

Opened in 1877, the Walker Museum was founded by local brewer and alderman Andrew Barclay Walker, and now houses a fine collection of sculptures and paintings dating back to 1300 through to the present day.

Beatles Story

A multilingual audio tour guides visitors through The Beatles Story, charting the success of the band from their early days in Hamburg through to international superstardom and their eventual break-up and subsequent solo careers.

Liverpool Cathedral

A visit to the largest Anglican Cathedral in Britain is worth it if only just for the stunning panoramic views available from the top the tower. Inside, visitors can marvel at the spectacular architecture which holds several records including the largest organ in the UK and heaviest bells in the world.

Further Distractions:

Liverpool Football Club

Winning the Champions League in 2005, Liverpool has once again ascended the ranks to reclaim their title as one of Europe’s great football clubs. Visitors can take a tour of the ground and the club museum, including the famous trophy room.

Everton Football Club

The blue side of the city have been overshadowed by the successes of their neighbors in recent years, but Everton is none-the-less one of the Premiership’s better teams and visitors can take a tour of the ground taking in the club’s rich history.

Croxteth Hall and Country Park

Once the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton, Croxteth Hall and Country Park is one of the main heritage centers in the northwest. Visitors to the estate can tour the historic Hall, the Croxteth Home Farm and the Victorian Walled Garden. Access to the 202-hectare (500-acre) Country Park that surrounds the estate is free.

Districts of Liverpool include:

Aigburth, Allerton, Anfield
Belle Vale, Broadgreen
Childwall, Clubmoor, Cressington, Croxteth
Dingle
Edge Hill, Everton
Fairfield, Fazakerley
Garston, Gateacre, Grassendale
Hunts Cross
Kensington
Kirkdale, Knotty Ash
Mossley Hill
Netherley, Norris Green
Old Swan
St Michael’s Hamlet, Sefton Park, Speke, Stoneycroft
Toxteth, Tuebrook
Walton, Wavertree, West Derby, Woolton