Summer Accommodation

Norwich

University of East Anglia

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a campus-based university located in stunning parkland on the outskirts of Norwich. It is highly regarded internationally as one of the top 20 UK universities, leading the way in research and teaching in such diverse areas as health sciences, creative writing, and climate change. Your Norwich student accommodation is located in the very centre of the city, but there is plentiful public transport links that provide easy access to the university campus within 20-minutes.

The UEA campus was originally built on a golf course, since growing to include some stunning, award-winning buildings, such as the £30 million Sportspark, and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (an art gallery and museum, which was used as the Avengers HQ filming location in the Avengers movie ‘Age of Ultron’). UEA has a clear history of innovative thinking and teaching, being one of the first universities in the UK to offer courses as diverse as Creative Writing, Development Studies, and Environmental Sciences since it opened its doors in 1963.

24-Hour Library

Learning spaces are plentiful at UEA, with the 24-hour library providing plenty of space to study, use IT facilities, sit and think in quiet spaces, or socialise with friends. It has over 800,000 books and journals for students to access digitally. In terms of preparing students for life after graduation, the university offers a range of expert support streams including helping students gain work experience, attend networking events and to develop key and long-term links with industry specialists. There is connected thought to ensure that students are applying skills and knowledge during the study with a view to long-term employment opportunities, as well as areas where students can develop business plans and begin the process of setting up future businesses.

The Students’ Union

The Students’ Union is home to two live music venues, with regular concerts, club nights, and other events. There is an award-winning student media provision to get involved with, and plenty of societies and clubs (over 200 in total) to help you settle into Norwich student life and become part of the furniture. There are plenty of financial and other areas of support for students, with a well-run housing bureau called Home Run to help students with welfare and housing issues.

Norwich University of the Arts

Located just a 10-minute walk from your Norwich student accommodation, Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) is a specialist university that caters for students of the arts, design, architecture, and media. If you are joining NUA you are about to become part of an interesting community that sparks with creativity at all times and has inspiration around every corner. The teaching quality is regarded as some of the best in the country, with high student satisfaction levels and quality facilities for students to experience and fulfil their potential.

Graduates from Norwich University of the Arts have a great chance of finding success in their chosen fields. The university has a strong employability record, with extensive industry networking links that have laid the foundations for past students to become successful within many different areas of art, including fine art, film, fashion, the creative arts, photography, video games, and visual effects.

The university can trace its history back to the Norwich School of Design in 1845 and the campus is an interesting combination of buildings from Edwardian, Victorian, and even medieval times. It makes for interesting and inspiring workspaces, including studios, media laboratories, workshops and creative spaces that utilise modern, forward-thinking technology within historic buildings. East Gallery is the city centre gallery space where national and international partners of NUA can feature work. NUA has an extensive collection of architecture, media, art, and design materials for students to be inspired by.

The Finest Cafes and Restaurants

As a student in a new city you want to know what to look out for to get fed properly. Occasionally we’ll have a bit more of our student loan to spend on a treat, but as a Norwich student you want to know where to go to find cheap food deals that are tasty! With your Norwich student accommodation in the heart of the city you’ll be glad to know that you’re just a few short steps away from some of the finest cafes and restaurants the city has to offer.

You’ll be taking in long hours of study in the week, and most probably taking in long hours of partying at night. What better way to refuel after a hard day of work and to prepare for a long night out than to get a decent meal for relatively cheap?

Ruth’s Kitchen

One place that is famous in Norwich for providing just that is Ruth’s Kitchen. Just a 15-minute walk from our Norwich student accommodation, you’ll find some tasty treats here, with vegan-friendly food on the menu alongside some meaty treats. At Ruth’s you can choose to sample a platter of shawarma meat or falafel (some of the best falafel you’ll ever taste can be found right here on Magdalen Street). Cheaper options include wraps for under a fiver, great hummus and regular specials.

Good Student Deals

If you are in the mood for some good ol’ fish and chips you can do no better than Grosvenor’s Fish Bar over on Lower Goat Lane (just a 10-minute walk from home). It is an underground fish and chip bar with a wide variety of choices and toppings (and you can even order into the artsy Birdcage over the road!). We’re all looking for a good student deal, aren’t we? At Nanna Mexico, students can buy any twelve-inch burrito and drink for just a fiver. The food is fresh at Nanna Mexico, offering up a great selection of Mexican street food flavours. It’s also a pretty chilled and cool place to sit and chat with friends.

Vegan Options

Another place that is vegan friendly is Erpingham House, with its Instagrammable décor and amazing food set inside a stunning Grade II listed building. It’s a cool place to eat, with marble tables and glamorous chairs – a place where you can pick up tasty pasta dishes alongside burgers, chilli and pizza (all vegan and fresh).

Big Names

For those looking for some home comforts and a familiar face, Norwich is a city brimming with big brand names and restaurant chains for you to pick up a Pizza Express or a Nando’s to name just two. Norwich is a city centre that is easy to walk around, with plenty of good food options to suit all tastes.

Live Music

In the city centre and out on campus at UEA there is something for all students and tastes in terms of a night out. The Students’ Union runs two live music venues for a start, the LCR and the Waterfront. Both play host to regular gigs from some great bands and artists, but there is also a plethora of options for a night out in the centre, whether you are looking for music, dancing, theatre, art and culture, or comedy. Norwich is a great city to live and learn in during your time living at student accommodation. You’ll be working hard, but there is always time to relax and let your hair down – it is an important part of growing up to learn how and where to have a great night out without it compromising your studies.

LCR is the big night out each week on campus at UEA. It is here that Norwich students come to see gigs, plays, to take in the weekly student club nights, such as the ‘Damn Good’ nights that have different themes and music to match every Tuesday. Another great night on campus can be found in the Blue Bar, after some pool and pints at the Red Bar. At the Blue Bar, you’ll find live music, football on the screens and some great fun to be had as a break from your studies before heading home for the night. It’s also a great starter bar before going to LCR for the night’s big events.

Prince of Wales Road

For city-centre fun and games the Prince of Wales Road is full of different student-friendly venues. You can go to plenty of cheap pubs, move on to karaoke bars and end up in clubs such as Mantra. This is also the perfect part of town for finding a great takeaway after dancing away for a few hours and building up an appetite.

The Picturehouse

For a bit of cinema and culture why not take in Norwich’s very own Picturehouse cinema at Cinema City? It shows a combination of big-budget Hollywood releases and independent films from all over the world. Student membership is decent, giving you access to cheaper drinks and food, free tickets to certain showings and other events.

Excellent Choices

Mentioned previously as a place where you can tuck into your Grosvenor Fish Bar takeout, The Birdcage on Pottergate is a student-friendly, earthy and artsy pub that is home to plenty of open mic nights, gigs, and many other weird and wonderful events throughout each week. You can sit back with a pint and a book, take part in a life drawing class, get to know the locals, and just watch the world go by. For a tad more sophistication why not head over to Mr Postle’s Apothecary on Upper King Street. Here you’ll have your choice of excellent cocktails, ranging from the classics to modern, quirky concoctions. Revolución De Cuba is another great cocktail bar – home to plenty of rum, tasty tapas and beautiful burritos. They also have great promotions and discount deals throughout the week.

Premier League Football

If you’re into football Norwich City FC play at Carrow Road, just a short 15-minute walk from our Norwich student accommodation. Recently promoted to the Premier League, you can take in games featuring some of the top football clubs in the world when watching the Canaries play the beautiful game. With celebrity chef Delia Smith on the board at Norwich expect some great match day grub!

Coastline and Countryside

One of the best things about living in Norwich is that you are never more than an hour away from the coast. Norfolk is one of the largest counties in England, and there is plenty of coastline and countryside to explore, whether you are looking to take on hiking trails for different levels of experience or find a new cycling route to explore. The Norfolk Broads is host to many different sporting events each year, including cycling, sailing, racing, and swimming. If you want to learn how to kayak, canoe, water-ski, surf, or take on other watersports there is plenty of opportunities to do so, within an hour of travel at the Broads and the coastline.

Sportspark

Back in Norwich, at the UEA campus to be more precise, the Sportspark is a tremendous addition to the city. It is the largest indoor university sports centre in the whole of the UK. At Sportspark, you can take on the challenge of the largest indoor climbing wall in Norfolk, swim in one of the two 25m swimming pools (they also operate as a 50m swimming pool), or take on the challenge of individual sporting pursuits such as badminton, squash, martial arts, tennis, and athletics. The athletics track is particularly impressive, as are the two indoor sports arenas. For team sports Soccerpark is incredible, and there is also the choice of many other team sports including rugby and hockey to name just two. With Sportspark on-site there is no excuse not to stay fit and healthy, remain active, make new friends and play sport for fun or to compete for the university in one of the sports clubs.

Rowing and Skiing

Away from the university, Norwich Rowing Club on Whitlingham Lane is home to rowing and other watersports. The dry ski slope is also close to here at Norfolk Snowsports Club. As you can see there are so many different types of sports and activities in Norwich itself and the surrounding areas to take advantage of.

On A Budget

Living on a budget is a learning curve as a student wherever you live, so it’s good to know that moving to our Norwich student accommodation you’ll be close to numerous shopping centres and independent stores and boutiques to help you get through your time in the city.

The big modern shopping centres can be found at Intu Chapelfield and Castle Mall, both in the city centre. At these shopping centres and on the main shopping streets in the centre you’ll find all the high-street names and big brands that you know and love. The Jarrold department store is a central gem of independent stores where you can find everything from books and beauty products, to quirky gifts, kitchenware, furniture, and fashion. There is no reason to be bored exploring the shops of Norwich – no matter your tastes.

Independent Stores and Boutiques

Norwich Lanes is a good place to start. It is home to a whole host of independent stores and boutiques with a creative edge, running through its medieval lanes. Find great jewellery and hidden gems next to cafes, antiques and prized art next to restaurants, and lifestyle and fashion boutiques that are rare finds elsewhere. In 2014 the Lanes was awarded the title of ‘Great British High Street of the Year’).

Over at Elm Hill, you’ll discover the most intact medieval street in the city, and it is home to some quirky independent retailers, craft shops, and antique markets. Here you find heritage and beauty living side-by-side, with the independent stores nestled amongst some great attractions such as Norwich Cathedral and The Great Hospital. The Bear Shop and The Jade Tree are two standouts to find at Elm Hill.

Vintage

Magdalen Street has some cracking vintage fashion boutiques, art galleries, and exquisite bookshops holding some fabulous historic prints. Vintage is the name of the game in this part of Norwich and at Aladdin’s Cave, Retreat Vintage, and Loose’s you’ll have a great time unearthing some real treasures throughout an afternoon. There is a multi-cultural feel to Magdalen Street, home to different styles of retail and cuisine.

Art Noveau Shopping

The Castle/Arcade District was a finalist for ‘Great British High Street of the Year’ in 2016. It is home to both Medieval and Georgian-style streets, large open spaces and an Art Noveau shopping arcade. The Royal Arcade has some unique boutiques and stores, whilst Langley’s is the city-famous toyshop. There are stores here that go back hundreds of years.

Norwich Market

To get a feel for the local culture why not head over to Norwich Market. It is open 6-days a week and is the largest open-air market in the country, with over 200 stalls selling artisan food, flowers, toys, arts and crafts, jewellery, vintage clothing, and much more.

Medieval History

Norwich was the second biggest city in England for over 700 years, and that prestige can be seen throughout its historic quarters, including the two stunning cathedrals. There’s also a Norman castle, the highest concentration of medieval churches in Europe (659 in total), and in Norfolk itself there are over 150 deserted medieval villages. There are plenty of events and attractions that combine the iconic architecture and modern-day living to cover 900 years of history. The cobbled medieval lanes are the perfect balance to the modernity of the city centre. Norwich is also one of the greenest cities in the UK and you’ll find 23 parks, 150 acres of historic woodland and many miles of riverside walks and cycling paths to explore right through the city centre.

Arts and Culture

The Theatre Royal and Norwich Playhouse are hosts to major productions throughout the year, whilst the Red Card Comedy Club is a 400-capacity venue at the Norfolk Lounge at Norwich City Football Club. It has hosted many up-and-coming comedians over the last ten years and continues to attract some big names in comedy. There are plenty of museums and art galleries in the city to enjoy, including Norwich Castle Museum, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (SCVA) and the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell.

Literature Festivals

As the first UNESCO City of Literature in England, Norwich became a host of literary events and festivals like never before from 2012 when it was awarded the title. The Spring and Autumn Literary Festivals, Shakespeare Festival, and Worlds International Literature Festival are just a few of the literary events that wow the crowds each year.

There are more than just literary festivals and events each year in Norwich though. The City of Ale Festival is one for lovers of real ale, whilst the Norfolk Food & Drink Festival (at Holkham Hall just an hour outside of Norwich) draws in crowds from all over the country, with stalls and demonstrations highlighting the quality produce of the county.

Festivals For All

The Lord Mayor’s Celebration is a fantastic street procession that includes a music festival, funfair, comedy, outdoor theatre, fireworks, dancers, and street artists. Another massive festival on the Norwich calendar is the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, where more than 100 performances take place over a magical 16-days. Expect visual artistry, theatre, dance, circus acts, live music, and much more through a range of free outdoor events.