Lifestyle
Your guide to life in Norwich
Why Norwich?
More than three quarters (77%) of people in Norwich say that they love their job – an impressive statistic and one that the staff at NNUH are proud to be part of!
Norwich is one of the few UK cities that can truly boast to having something for everyone. It has retained a strong local identity, and with that, a strong sense of community. Locals say hello to each other, baristas remember our coffee orders, and you’ll be among the first to know about interesting local projects.
This strong sense of community, along with excellent shopping, eating out, affordable house prices and excellent schooling, is why Norwich has been ranked by the Guardian as the UK’s best city to work in.
A city of culture
A little-known fact about our city is that Norwich is England’s first UNESCO city of literature. We are extremely proud of our literary history, and you’ll find plenty of libraries and cosy bookstores offering a vibrant event scenes around classic tales and brand new bestsellers. In handing the city its accolade, UNESCO said it was the way literature played such an integral role in Norwich’s urban environment which made it so deserving of the award.
Our world-famous cathedral is a real sight to behold – its spire is among the tallest in the country at 315 feet high, second only to Salisbury Cathedral. We are also home to an impressive six theatres in the city, showcasing the very best talent in the arts worlds. This includes one of only two puppet theatres in the country!
If there is another UK city with a school of painters named after it, a stunning modern art gallery, a university with a reputation for literary excellence which boasts Booker Prize-winning alumni, and one of the grandest Romanesque cathedrals in the world, then we are yet to hear of it!
What is a Norwich?
A poem for Norwich by one of our nurses Piers Harrison-Reid.
The great outdoors
The beautiful countryside is quickly and easily accessible from anywhere in Norwich. Norfolk county is home to the world-famous Norfolk Broads, a National Park with more than 125 miles of man-made, lock-free waterways set in beautiful countryside, and home to picturesque towns and villages.
With its sandy beaches and beautiful surrounds, the Norfolk coastline is not to be missed. With 90 miles to explore and very few hills to block the view, you’ll soon learn why it has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You’d never guess you were only two hours away from central London!
World-class food and drink among local hidden gems
It is well known among locals Norwich has a pub for every day of the year; some of these sites still retain their original old charm, and today are joined by craft beer haunts, wine bars and riverside hangouts. The city always seems to be welcoming a new addition to its list of great places to eat out – from national chains to a host of independent restaurants offering authentic dishes from all over the world – there’s something for every taste bud.
Norwich is home to the largest open air market in the country. With its distinctive striped roofs sitting at the foot of Norwich City Hall, you can find fantastic food, drinks and goods from all over the world. And whatever you don’t find there, you’re bound to discover elsewhere on our High Street. Explore the cobbled Lanes for boutique purchases, and see exactly why Norwich was the winner of the ‘High Street of the Year’ award for its mix of large shopping malls and department stores, and its host of over 300 independent and creative boutiques, cafes and bars.
The perfect place for families
Norwich is one of the safest places to live in the UK with some of the lowest crime rates, making it a community to be proud of. Housing prices are frequently cited as a reason to move here, as you get an incredible amount for your money compared with other major UK cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population is aged 19-26, giving us one of the youngest populations in the country. Many of these are graduates from our local universities who choose to stay here and enjoy our thriving cultural, music and foodie scene long after their studies end.
For family members who love (or need) to travel, you’re ideally located. Norwich is well connected to major airports and the rest of the UK. Trains run to and from London every 30 minutes, and there are direct rail services from Manchester, Nottingham and Cambridge.
Norfolk also has superb options for schools, both public and private, in both city and country settings. Visit the link for more information, which includes a ‘school finder’: http://www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/
Be at the forefront of innovation
Groundbreaking research into future sciences is spearheaded by the team at the Norwich Research Park (NRP) a centre for research and development on which NNUH is conveniently located. It is one of Europe’s largest single-site concentrations of expertise in food, health and environmental sciences, which is underpinned by its research strengths in plant and microbial sciences, diet and nutrition, biomedicine and pharmacy among others.
The site is rapidly growing its commercial activities with 55 hectares of land earmarked for future science and technology-related business development. NRP has so many exciting developments in the pipeline, and aims to create 5,000 new scientific jobs in the next 10-15 years.
Things to do in Norwich and Norfolk
Family Days Out
From feeding lambs at Church Farm Stow Bardolph to meeting exotic creatures at Banham Zoo; days on the beach to a day of adventure at BeWILDerwood, there are enough family days out to keep everybody happy!
Exploring the Coastline
With its salt marshes and lavender, its dunes, bays and crumbling Ice Age cliffs, Norfolk has one of the most dramatic coastlines in the UK. We’re also home to some of the country’s most beautiful, unspoilt beaches and seaside resorts – see for yourself how we enjoy our beautiful sandy surroundings, which span up to 93 miles when the tide is out!
Discovering Norfolk’s rich history
Our county is full of history from the stunning Norfolk Coast, to being able to discover the stories and drama behind magnificent stately homes. Wander around their gardens or enjoy a walk in the countryside – and don’t miss a visit to Blickling, Felbrigg, Oxburgh and Sheringham Park!
Arts and culture
Norfolk has many theatre productions, shows, festivals, exhibitions and galleries to suit all ages. There are more than 900 artists based here and countless musicians – take a look at some of the fantastic ways you could get involved in our world-class arts scene!
Literary History
We are extremely proud of our literary history, and you’ll find plenty of libraries and cosy bookstores offering a vibrant event scenes around classic tales and brand new bestsellers.
We'd love you to join us!
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is one of the largest employers in Norfolk, our staff work together to provide care for our local population.
We have a huge variety of roles, with opportunity for development and career progression.
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