City break – My London+

The Market

After visiting the Cathedral we found an excellent place for lunch close by. The Revelation is a former church which is now a wonderful cafe and Christian Book Shop. They had an extensive menu, friendly staff and space to relax away from the bustle of the City. Portion sizes were generous and afterwards I spent time browsing the bookshop, which had a large section of secondhand books. We actually set out to have lunch there again on the Monday, only to find this was a day they were shut.

The Revelation

I am not sure what this used to be, but these days it is a cafe/restaurant.

There is some nice architecture if you spend some time looking up.

City Hall

Art Deco City Hall

The Forum was where people were registering for the Norwich 10k run due to take place on the Sunday morning. We, meanwhile, were trying to find out where we could pick up our bus to take us to the wedding venue at lunchtime on Sunday. With roads closed and diversions in place, we decided it was easier to have a taxi, which we did.

Busy, busy, busy

The famous Norwich Union now known as Aviva.

The Norwich Union building

On the way back to our hotel we stopped off at an antique shop

Anglia TV and looking down Prince of Wales Road towards the countryside

Our hotel overlooking the River Wensum

On the day of the wedding it rained! However, we were lucky enough to have a sunny slot long enough for photos outside. In the morning, I had set off out into the rain to see the 10k participants running through the City. That uphill slog towards the castle would have killed me! I do hope they all made it safely.

Passing our hotel

Monday would be our final day in Norwich. There was still much to look forward to. The final part of this Norwich trip will be coming shortly.

When my husband and I were invited to a wedding in Norwich (County of Norfolk), my first thought was a long weekend with time for sightseeing! And that’s the way it went.

We arrived on Friday in the early afternoon and stayed at a hotel overlooking the river, and a short walk into the city. I didn’t waste any time and was soon out exploring. I’d always wanted to see where the anchorite, Julian of Norwich had once lived. No, not at the cathedral, where you might think, but a tiny church near our hotel. There is a Julian Centre there (she has left a whole spiritual legacy). Although the cell where Julian live is no longer there, inside the church there is a shrine.

Lady Julian Bridge over the River Wensum

On Saturday morning, we headed into the city along by the river (the opposite direction to where I’d walked the previous afternoon). I have to say my favourite parts of Norwich were by the riverside. We were on the way to the Cathedral, and this was a much better route than walking through the busy city.

Pull’s Ferry the former ferry house was once a 15th Century watergate where stone for the cathedral made its journey along the river and into the city.

Cow Tower was another unexpected find in the gardens around the Cathedral Quarter of the City.

While you cannot go inside the tower, I could squeeze my camera through the gate!

Had a job getting the best photo of the Swan Pit as the sun was in my eyes. I managed to hide behind a bush! A swan pit was used to fatten up swans for human consumption. They were given to Kings, clerics and noblemen. This one stands in the grounds of the Great Hospital.

We then found ourselves at Norwich Historic Churches Trust where there was an art exhibition taking place. No longer used as a church, it hosts various events. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the stained glass windows.

The little garden is dedicated to people who have made a difference in Norwich.

The next post will take us into Norwich Cathedral which has a stunning beauty and stories of its own.

Tag: City break

Norwich – Part 3 – The City

Norwich Part 1 – Julian of Norwich and a little of the City