A new chapter for city of stories

Over the years, the city of Norwich has been dealt some rather unfair titles - the UK's most depressed city being one of them.

- By AMY JONES

Cobbled lanes

But it has also been voted one of the best places to live, so what is it really like? I spent a weekend in the "city of stories" to find out.Once the second-largest city in England during medieval times, Norwich has more than 1,500 listed buildings, alongside its ancient landmarks, with all the charm of a large town rather than an overpowering city.

Instead of towering buildings dominating the landscape, I strolled along narrow cobbled lanes lined with colourful medieval dwellings painted in shades of yellow, pink and blue.

I found independent retailers, from gift shops to homeware outlets, including Lazy Lobster selling quirky buys, and Elm with its great selection of houseplants.