1. Location
Norwich is under 2 hours by train direct into Stratford Regional right in the heart of the Olympic Village. This means you can just hop onto a train to get to the sporting or Cultural Olympiad action. Trains depart Norwich every 30 minutes into London Liverpool Street. All tickets will include free travel on London public transport for the day of your ticket. There will be no access by car to the London 2012 Games. The organisers plan for 100% of spectators to get to the Games by public transport - the aim is to be the greenest Games ever.
2. Accommodation
Norwich offers a superb choice of affordable accommodation options including; family run B&Bs, guest houses, intimate boutique, independent and international hotels and contemporary self-catering apartments. All properties on this site have been quality assessed through VisitEngland or the AA. From 2-star through to 5-star there is a selection of accommodation that will suit groups, families, individual travellers and couples - all tastes, all pockets.
3. Fair Price Charter
Many Norfolk businesses have signed up to the VisitBritain Fair Price and Best Practise Charter to demonstrate their commitment to fair and reasonable trading practises during the period June 1st to September 30th 2012. Signatories to the Fair Pricing Charter will be given the right to use the exclusive Committed to Fair pricing logo on their websites and marketing material plus they will be published on the VisitBritain website.
4. Discover a new County!
Norfolk offers such a wide variety of things to do and places to see. Enjoy large open spaces, huge skies, nature, wildlife, stately homes, adventurous attractions and superb food, drink and hospitality. Drive from Norwich 10 minutes and you are in beautiful rural countryside, drive 20 minutes and you get to The Broads, Britain's Magical Waterland, drive 1 hour and you reach the coast with endless miles of soft sandy beaches and quaint English pubs.
5. Arts and Culture
According to recent research Norwich has more cultural activity than anywhere else in the UK relative to population size ensuring that for 12 months of the year there is plenty to enjoy. If you love the best in performing and visual arts, if you're inspired by fine buildings and amazing history, Norwich offers you the ideal destination spiced with great cultural experiences. Visit one of only two puppet theatres in the UK, watch live streams of ballet from Paris at art-house cinema, Cinema City or enjoy live stand up comedy, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
6. Historical Buildings
Norwich has over 1500 historical buildings and proudly boasts the largest intact medieval street pattern in Europe. Plus it has more medieval churches than any other city north of the Alps! Visit the stunning cobbled street of Elm Hill to find original thatched 16th century merchants' houses and quaint shops and coffee houses, take a tour of the Norwich 12 - a group of iconic buildings spanning 1000 years of history and don't miss a walking tour by a knowledgeable Blue Badge Guide for thrilling insider knowledge.
7. Gardens, Parks and Green Spaces
Norwich is surrounded by superb Norfolk countryside, but there are also over 150 green spaces within the city itself, including 23 parks, 59 natural areas and nature reserves and 10 kilometres of riverside walks. In The Bishop's Garden at Norwich Cathedral find a plant grown from a sprig of Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet and visit Plantation Garden a secret Victorian garden in the heart of the city lovingly restored by a group of dedicated volunteers, complete with a beautiful Gothic fountain.
8. Shopping
Norwich is one of the top ten places to shop in the UK*. As well as flagship stores of the biggest names in retail, the mix of medieval streets and alleys offer a delightful range of independent shops where you will find local designers, Norfolk crafts and vintage fashion. Jarrolds our only independent department store, was voted the Nation's Favourite Department Store by The Times and The Book Hive in The Norwich Lanes recently took home the Best Independent Bookshop in the UK by The Telegraph’s Best Small Shop Awards.
9. Food and Drink
Norfolk is a farming county and this is translated onto the menus of restaurants, cafes and bars throughout the city of Norwich and the rest of the county. Indulge your passion for food with rare breed sausages, locally caught venison, fresh fish from North Norfolk, organic fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and pastries - the list goes on. The city is also officially the real ale capital of England** offering an impressive 215 different real ales in some of the best pubs in Norwich.
10. Norwich, the Gateway to the Broads
Britain's Magical Waterland, The Broads, is a proud member of Britain's National Park family and located only 20 minutes from Norwich. It covers nearly 200 miles of peaceful footpaths, 125 miles of tranquil lock-free waterways and offers rare and beautiful wildlife. Take to the water for an hour, a day or a week. Enjoy a stay afloat or go sailing, canoeing and yachting. With fresh air, sparkling water and wide horizons by day, and wonderfully dark, starry nights, The Broads is an unforgettable experience.