Norwich: A fine city

Few cities within Britain are as overlooked, whether intentionally or not, as Norwich.

Alan Partridge, the comic creation of Steve Coogan, is not unique in his characterisation of the city and the surrounding county of Norfolk as being detached from modern times and somewhat peripheral to British life in general.

While certainly such stereotypes are largely unfounded- the city's authorities like to cite the large number of Green Party councillors and the presence of the largest Wi-Fi zone in the country as evidence of its progressiveness- Norwich is undeniably remote and separate, in geographical terms at least.

Though boasting direct train services to Cambridge and London, in comparison to other UK cities, Norwich remains relatively inaccessible, allowing it to be an ideal destination for those seeking to 'get away from it' on a weekend city break while perhaps not spending hours queuing in an airport.

Such is the beauty of Norwich to visitors.

Not only does it combine the sense of detachment of a proper holiday combined with the convenience of staring within the UK, it also offers the ideal mix of history and contemporary city life, while the idyllic English countryside is only moments from the centre of the region's capital city.

Dominating the city's skyline, Norwich Cathedral has been an awe-inspiring sight for visitors ever since its completion in the fifteenth century.

Set within beautiful landscaped grounds, visitors can admire the Romanesque architecture whilst enjoying a meal in the award-winning restaurant besides the cloisters, while though wishing for a more detailed history of the cathedral can take one of the regular guided tours.

Surrounding the region's principal place of worship, the winding, historic streets set within the city walls make Norwich the most complete medieval city in Britain.

In addition to the cathedral, the city boasts an additional eleven buildings of historical significance, all of which survived the bombing raids of the Second World War relatively intact.

The Norwich Guildhall, the Great Hospital, Assembly House and St Andrew's and Blackfriars' Hall are all well worth investigating to gain an insight into how the city has developed over the past millennium, with the 12th century Norman castle today serving as the county's main museum, housing both regional and national treasures.

Within the medieval streets and alleys, there is an eclectic range of independent retailers, with timber-framed shops selling designer clothes, books and antiques, the majority of which it would be impossible to find anywhere else.

In addition to the local retailers, the usual high street names are all represented within the new city centre, though this area lacks the same charm of its historic neighbour, given that it wasn't so fortunate in the 1940's.

Should visitors to the region be feeling a little worse for wear after a night in the many bars and clubs of Norwich, a trip out into the surrounding countryside offers the ideal remedy.

Home to an unrivalled mixture of native wildlife, the Norfolk Broads, including the Fairhaven Wildlife Park and the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, give nature-lovers the chance to observe animals, including the rare Bittern, up-close, with the silent boats on which wildlife tours are conducted, unlikely to scare them away.

While Norwich may not impress work colleagues as much as the many more-exotic locations for a city break, the sheer variety of the city and its surrounding countryside makes it ideal for those who are undecided and, indeed, for a spontaneous weekend away, it is almost perfect.