by Katie Thompson
Here in the City of Stories, our rich literary heritage is woven into our everyday. As England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Norwich has plenty of tales to tell (and inspire)!
From the first woman to be published in English to a creative writing programme whose alumni includes Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan. We’re home to the National Centre for Writing and the UK’s only American Library.
With such a literary legacy, the City of Stories is made for book lovers, writers and those searching for inspiration. Uncover tales on a tour, explore our bookish attractions and shop our wealth of independent bookshops. And, of course, there are plenty of peaceful spots awaiting your next page-turner- or to start your own.
So, improve your wellbeing with a touch of bibliotherapy. This is our guide to making Norwich your next reading and writing retreat!
All Hallows is a peaceful place to stay with plenty of spaces to settle down and read
All Hallows Guesthouse offers a tranquil retreat in the centre of the City of Stories as part of The Julian Shrine, where Julian of Norwich lived in the 14th century and wrote her ‘Revelations of Divine Love’ (more on her later).
Each room offers a restful stay, some with views of the Shrine’s green walled churchyard, thanks to simple interiors which prioritise comfort and quiet (from £41 single occupancy with shared facilities). In the morning, you’ll be greeted with a fresh continental breakfast, including locally sourced produce and homemade artisanal bread.
All Hallows is like a home from home, with cosy communal spaces, including a library and study space to dedicate time to writing and a snug living room with log fire, that’s ideal for curling up with your favourite book.
Visit the National Centre for Writing and discover Dragon Hall or get involved with workshops and events
‘All shall be well.’ This well-known phrase was written in the 14th century by Julian of Norwich in her book ‘Revelations of Divine Love’. After experiencing a series of visions, Lady Julian became an anchoress in a small cell attached to St Julian’s Church, writing down these revelations in the first known book in English to be written by a woman.
At The Julian Shrine (free), you can contemplate the incredible life of Julian of Norwich in her faithfully recreated cell. In the dedicated visitor centre next door, discover more about Julian’s life, translations of her work and fascinating books from her contemporaries.
Just moments away is the National Centre for Writing. Housed in the historic Dragon Hall- a former medieval merchant’s house, this is a place of storytelling, where the power of words and ideas are celebrated.
Through a series of events and workshops (free and ticketed), you can let your creativity flow, exploring genres, writing techniques and discovering up-and-coming authors. Whether it’s a six-week in-depth course or a special one-off. In the National Centre for Writing’s Writers’ Room, you can book yourself a desk space for when you want to get a few words down (free, 9.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4.30pm, Thursday & Friday, all year round). Here, you can expect a warm welcome and inspiring environment that’s sure to prevent writer’s block! And in spring, anyone can drop-in to Dragon Hall on select days to explore or book a place on a guided tour to uncover the stories of this fascinating beamed building (free).
Sit down with a good book on one of our book benches and discover names of Norwich’s literary legacy
Whilst many a bestseller was written and published in Norwich (Great Yarmouth’s Anna Sewell’s ‘Black Beauty’ was first published by Jarrolds, for example), C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series culminated with ‘Tombland’, named after the historic area in Norwich’s Cathedral Quarter. Set in 1549, the story sees Shardlake involved in Kett’s Rebellion, bringing to life Norwich’s historic figures like yeoman Robert Kett and mayor Augustine Steward.
Immerse yourself in this best-selling book with knowledgeable tour guide Paul Dickson’s Shardlake’s Norwich tour (£12pp). Starting at the Maids Head, this 2-hour tour will take you across Tombland to Bishop Bridge and up to Kett’s Heights, with views across the city, and down to the site of the Battle of Palace Plain.
And to see the rest of the city, why not follow our Book Bench Trail? There are 8 benches to find, each one expertly crafted from wood, metal and stone and depicting books stacked on a shelf, on their spines and as though you’ve paused mid-read. See how many local authors you can spot carved on their covers. Along this 5km route, discover the city’s independent stores, eateries and landmarks.
The Book Hive is just one of Norwich’s many independent bookshops
The City of Stories is well-known for its unique bookshops, too. Across the city, peruse shelves stacked with second-hand stories, special first editions and handpicked curations.
In the Lanes, The Book Hive is known for their love of print and alternative curation. Foregoing traditional selections and instead favouring the booksellers’ picks, here you’ll float from table to shelf and back again as your eye is caught by new fiction and non-fiction titles, poetry, cookery and art in an untraditional layout. The Book Hive also hosts weekly quiet reading hour Page Against the Machine every Wednesday, where everyone is encouraged to escape into a written world. (They also hold an event during Norfolk & Norwich Festival which is co-ordinated with other UNESCO literary cities across the world!)
On St Giles Street, family-run JR & RK Ellis has sold second-hand books for almost 50 years from their tile-fronted store. Piles of books are stacked wall to wall and cover every surface. Lose yourself browsing collections of fiction, classics, history and more. For more used books, there’s City Bookshop just a stone’s throw from our medieval market.
On the historic Elm Hill, Dormouse Bookshop is a must for antiquarian lovers and rare title searchers of classic crime, Penguins and more, whilst nearby Tombland Bookshop specialises in academic tomes amongst their constantly changing antiquarian and second-hand stock (ranging from £1 to over £10,000!).
For children, Timber Hill’s Bookbugs and Dragon Tales is a treasure trove of titles. This nationally recognised indie bookstore specialises in children’s books and holds events to encourage youngsters to start reading. Plus, you can tuck into a tasty cookie while you browse!
Surrounded by greenery, one of the city’s gardens is ideal for your next page turner
As you might expect in a City of Stories, it won’t take long to stumble upon a peaceful spot to get lost in a good book.
If you don’t know where to start, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library in The Forum houses tens of thousands of books for you to pick up and start reading (ideal if you’re visiting in the colder months). It’s also home to Norwich Heritage Centre if you’re looking for local writing inspiration and hosts Norwich Forum Writers (free, Fridays from September to July in term time, join the waiting list), a fun and supportive group of writers of all levels that discusses each other’s work.
Elsewhere, Norwich’s many independent cafes offer a cosy background for your next novel. Sip on locally roasted coffee and tuck into an indulgent slice of cake as the world passes you by. Or join Norwich’s Shut Up & Write! group (free), where you can let your ideas flow for an hour at local eateries in the city’s Creative Quarter.
And in the warmer months, our city is full of leafy green spots, both shady and sun kissed. From the fragrant herb garden tucked away in Norwich Cathedral Close to Strangers’ Hall’s hidden garden and the well-kept lawns of Plantation Garden (next to The Cathedral of St John the Baptist’s Garden Cafe, another lovely place to read). Relax on a bench alongside the River Wensum or sunbathe on a picnic blanket in Chapelfield Gardens.
