The sun was shining one sunny Saturday afternoon so I thought I'd head into my own city of Norwich to check out the Norwich market. It is often the things right on your door step which do not get the appreciation they deserve, and I think the outdoor market in Norfolk's capital is easily one of those (not so hidden) treasures!
The market itself consists of around 200 stalls, all individually enclosed within brightly coloured sheds (which in my opinion look like beach huts), and is situated on Gentleman's Walk - one of Norwich's most popular shopping destinations. The fact it is here is no coincidence, a market has been on this site for over 900 years, and used to supply the Norman merchants and settlers who moved to this area within the United Kingdom after the Norman conquest.
Nowadays this market is something of an icon, claiming to be the largest outdoor Monday to Saturday market in the whole country, attracting both shoppers and tourists alike.
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| Norwich Market with a view of the castle behind. |
Not only is the market a bustling tourist attraction, there are plenty of very good vintage clothing and books stalls to keep you returning, as well as the more traditional foodie suppliers of meat, fish, vegetables, cheese and all types of spices.
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| Shoppers enjoying the sunshine |
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One of many fruit and vegetable stalls
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| Unique Spice Stall |
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| The Cheese Man |
I have bought fish, meat, and cheese all from this market and thought the choice, quality and price of these items was excellent. Not only does a market such as this one have the opportunity to have these perks, but also you get the plus of talking to passionate people about their produce, and each stall owner I have encountered have been lovely, each with their own personalities and handy tips to help you choose the perfect produce - something you would be hard pushed finding in your local supermarket.
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| The market is also home to a number of florists |
I couldn't make a trip to the market without stopping at one of the stalls and having a bite to eat. The choice is great, with the classic fish and chips, burgers and hot dogs, but also there are stalls containing street style food by Chinese and Indian vendors. My choice was easy though as I decided to stop at one of the more unique eateries, and sample a pot of mushy peas with mint sauce!
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| Mushy Peas and mint sauce |
Now it might look like a pile of slop, but it was actually very tasty (if you like mushy peas that is!). Think I was a bit over keen by not opting for a portion on top of some chips - that would have been delicious, but for roughly £1, you can't really go wrong! And it's a bit of a tradition - so why not!
The Norwich market is a lovely place to come and peruse what's best of Norwich, meet some lovely people, and maybe even pick up a bargain or two. I'd definitely recommend a visit, like I said before you sometimes don't even realise what is right on your door step, and if you have a couple of hours to kill, I'd suggest you spend them here, although be warned your purse might come back a little lighter.
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