A UK city tucked near the coast of East England has often been overlooked, with locals saying it gets 'forgotten about'. Yet it's brimming with personality, charm and an incredible independent scene, as I found out.

Less than a two-hour train journey from London, and just over an hour from Cambridge, I caught a direct train to the medieval city of Norwich, in Norfolk, also known as the 'City of Stories', to see what it was all about. Characterised by its winding cobbled streets, fascinating medieval architecture, and 900-year-old outdoor market, I was excited to wander around the city that holds the status of England's first UNESCO City of Literature.

Just a short 15-minute walk from the train station, I found myself in thecity centre, having caught my first sight of its medieval history with stable courtyards and timber-framed buildings on my way. While it initially felt quiet, with a relaxed atmosphere in the air on a Thursday morning, I quickly felt the buzz, and the city seemed to come alive before me.

I found myself wandering around the iconic outdoor market, brimming with independent eateries and retailers, underneath around 200 colourful stalls. With rows to explore, it was a maze worth navigating, and by lunch, it was heaving with locals grabbing their favourite dishes and delicacies.

One of the oldest and largest covered open-air markets in the UK, it offered an incredible selection of food from across the globe. From City Tacos, Lucy's Fish & Chips, The Banger Shop (hot dog stall), Henry's Hog Roast, China Wok, The Bun Box (Bao buns), to The Mushy Pea Stall.

Not to mention The Orient Express shop, which offers 'Asian food made accessible to everyone', to the deli Cheese Man, Churros for the People, Bread Source, and Do you Accept Cookies. It's undoubtedly one of the major draws in the city, and with so many options, it took me at least 30 minutes to decide on lunch from The Bun Box!

Aside from its huge selection of branded high street stores, Norwich has an impressive independent scene of around 500 businesses. Around 300 of these independent retailers line the courtyards and narrow streets of the iconic Norwich Lanes, and I was itching to explore them.

This famed area of Norwich was even better in person. There were independent establishments of cosy bookshops, traditional tearooms, vintage shops, lively charity outlets and antiques stacked high in a church. Not to mention its array of gift and homeware stores, its independent cinema, galleries, a community theatre, music venues, and two museums.

I found myself lost in a labyrinth brimming with character, where locals were dining outside in the warm spring sunshine and catching up with friends over a coffee. I could have spent hours walking along the narrow alleyways, courtyards and cobbled streets, warranting a visit to this area alone.

But that's not the only impressive part of Norwich. It's said to be home to around 152 pubs, with folklore saying there once used to be a pub for every year (365), and a church for every Sunday (52). Today, its pub scene remains a key part of the city and is still celebrated, with around 10 pubs per square mile.

While there's plenty of watering holes for a refreshing pint, I stepped into a fairy tale on Elm Hill, with cobbled lanes and incredible medieval architecture, before stumbling across the charming Biddy's Tea Room. I also admired the Norman 12th-century castle, two impressive cathedrals, and the vibrant graffiti that decorates the city, affirming that it really is the 'City of Stories'.

Despite its overlooked status and 'off the beaten track' location, as one resident told me, Norwich was named as the 'best place to live in the UK' for 2026 by the Sunday Times. "The city is quite vibrant, exciting, and we have incredible events," Leanne Fridd, owner of Bookbugs and Dragon Tales in Norwich, told me following its ranking. "There are so many independent businesses in Norwich that it creates more of a community feel."

Meanwhile, Karen Williams, owner of For the Love of Norfolk, said: "We're so close to the coast, and we've got the Broads National Park, so within a matter of minutes, you can be out in nature. Norwich itself is quite compact, so we've got everything here, but it's all actually within a 10-minute walk, and it's so historical as well."

From speaking to the residents, it was obvious just how much they love this city, despite saying, "We do get forgotten about because of our location." Yet, perhaps that's what makes this city so unique, as Karen told me: "What makes Norwich such a lovely place is that we're a bit off the beaten track, so we're a bit harder to get to, but once you're here, it's worth it."

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