Pure Shore

If you've got access to a car, or don't mind hiring one then the best beach to visit by far is Holkham. It's my favourite beach in the UK and only an hours drive from Norwich. The beach was used for filming for Shakespeare in Love and the All Saints music video 'Pure Shores'. Stately Holkham Hall was also the setting for Keira Knightley's film The Duchess. This is not surprising, as the beach is breathtaking, and the sand seems endless after you've emerged from the board walks of the woodland track. The beach is one of the countries largest nature reserves, so fortunately there are no tacky shops around to ruin it's natural beauty. There are numerous sand dunes to explore and get lost in, and due to the sheer expanse of space, it never feels crowded. Sometimes horses gallop across the beach. I would recommend visiting Holkham not only in the summer, but on an autumn evening to watch the sunset, when if your lucky you can be the only one on the beach.

Hit the roof in Bedfords

Bedfords bar is hidden down Bedford Street, in Old Post Office Yard. In the summer they have a nice outside courtyard, but in the winter there is nothing better but to grab a drink and cosy on down on a sofa amongst the inticing timber and beams of the loft bar. 

If your after something more gothic, then idylic then take the stairs down to the basement and into the stony Crypt bar for a completely different but equally unique setting in the middle of Norwich city centre.

Put down your books, and head to The Library

The Library - is a lovely and popular restaurant great for family occasions, dates and graduation meals. The entrance on Guildhall Hill, is grand and proper, it definately feels like a step up from other mainstream Norwich eateries. The listed building still has books adorning the walls, reminiscent of when it served as a real library. The prices are affordable and they offer good deals throughout the day. For example at lunch they offer a limited selection of mains, starters and deserts with one course for £6.95,  two for £9.45 and three for £11.95. They also do burger hour (6-7pm Mon-Fri), where you can get a mammouth burger, chips, and a wine or a small beer for £9.50. Otherwise mains set you back around £10-15. If you have a sweet tooth then I would highly recommend sharing the Chocolate Fondue which comes to your table with pineapple, pretzels, marshmallows, banana and profiteroles.

Boardgames at the Birdcage

For a  quirky and cosy pub in the centre of Norwich head along cobbled Pottergate to The Birdcage. Its a friendly and quaint pub where you can take a book, study or simply hang out with friends. In the evenings it's often packed with a variety of events going on throughout the week, from live music to pub quizzes. I prefer to go here during the day when it's quieter, with my favourite beverage being one of their fantastic hot chocolate's (complete with marshmellows of course). The Birdcage has a large range of boardgames on offer so it is rather novel to pick one out, and play away the afternoon.

Dine in Style at Yellows

Yellows is based in Carrow Road -  the local Norwich Football ground, and it is a sleek American Diner. It feels pretty upmarket with the layout and design, but the prices are pretty decent and definately within a student budget. They do a great £5 lunch menu (Mon- Fri 12pm-2pm) which changes on a weekly basis; here is the current weeks offerings:

Californian Style Fish Cake
served with Coriander & Lime Tartare Sauce and Chunky Fries

Sticky BBQ Chicken and Lettuce Wrap
served with Skinny Fries

Jacket Potatoes
Filled with your choice of two of the following:
Coleslaw; Grated Cheese; Tuna Mayonnaise, Heinz Baked Beans, Homemade Boston Baked Beans or Chilli Con Carne (with a 50p supplement)

The week I went ribs were on the lunch menu and wow, did they deliver! The burgers are also excellent, and most mains are priced between £8 and £12. Check out the full menu here. Every monday from 5pm they also offer a bowl of chilli, rice , tacos and a drink for just £6!


If you are looking for a meal at somewhere different, then support the Canaries, and go to Yellows. Getting there is easy, just stay on the 25 or 35 while it goes round the back of the station, and jump off as soon as Carrow Road comes into view.

Pop in to Norwich Castle for a £1

Norwich castle does a great offer where if you visit in the last hour before closing, you get in for a quid. Which is good, as the normal adult admission price is currently £6.60. While it is a bit of a push to see all the exhibitions in an hour, you can always come again, and it is a nice afternoon activity when you are looking for something out of the ordinary to do.  
Walking around you find out about the castle keep, how it used to be a prison,  and you can don various ridiculous outfits. There are plenty of exhibitions, from Boudica, to Egyptian, Anglo-saxon and Viking; there is even a section on the wildlife in the Norfolk broads. While some of the exhibitions seem quite random and a little out of place, the building is impressive, and it is an interesting way to spend an hour, especially as it only costs a pound!

Cheapest Roast in the East

Head down to the Town House in Thorpe St Andrew for the cheapest roast in the East, priced at £3.89 (Monday-Saturday) for a full on carvery -you really can't complain. Except maybe about the other kind of clientele that these prices/restaurant attracts. You get a choice of meats and help yourself to spuds, veg, sauces and gravy. A great place for an alternative and cheap christmas meal with friends, its also a nice place to come to in the summer as the Town House is situated on the bank of the river Wensum. Just a short drive away from Norwich rail station, jump onboard the number 24 or 12B bus in Norwich centre, in order get to the quaint little village and bargain grub.