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There's a lot to measure up to when a city has been crowned as the 'best place to live in the UK', so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about, and one thing was instantly noticeable.

Positioned along the River Wensum, and less than two hours from London, I found myself in the charming and medieval city of Norwich in Norfolk, also known as the 'city of stories'. It's characterised by quaint narrow lanes, stable courtyards and timber-framed architecture, which felt as though I had stepped into a fairy tale, and that was before I found the cobblestone lanes on Elm Hill.

Its thriving independent scene is perhaps one of its most striking features, comprising more than 500 businesses acrossthe city, with approximately 300 found between the paths and alleyways of the Norwich Lanes. This is where I uncovered the delightful gems of traditional tearooms, cafés, restaurants and bars, alongside vintage shops and cosy bookshops in its labyrinth of independent stores - there's even a church stacked to the brim with antiques.

Elsewhere, I explored its 900-year-old outdoor market, packed with independent eateries and retailers, underneath around 200 colourful stalls, which was heaving with locals come lunch. I also admired the city's striking 12th-century Norman castle and two magnificent cathedrals, before stumbling across an independent cinema, galleries, a community theatre, music venues, and two museums in what has often been seen as an overlooked city.

Impressively, Norwich also holds the status of England's first UNESCO City of Literature, has Dutch influences, and is known as one of the best-preserved medieval cities in England. So with its esteemed titles and incredible offerings, it's hardly a surprise that it was named as the 'best place to live in the UK' for 2026 by the Sunday Times.

Yet what I found really sets this city apart is the people who call it home. After spending a day in Norwich, I was blown away by how friendly and approachable the locals were, and how much they adore their 'city of stories'.

I've visited various UK cities, and amid the hustle and bustle, you'll rarely be greeted with a smile or a warm suggestion from strangers, particularly in London, but Norwich was completely different. Locals were more than happy to stop for a chat, share recommendations for places to visit, offer local insights, or simply talk about how our day was going.

Karen Williams, owner of For the Love of Norfolk, based in the iconic Norwich market, was delighted to tell 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.

"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."

Meanwhile, after chatting about my day in Norwich and sharing a bundle of recommendations, Leanne Fridd, who owns the independent children's book shop, Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, said: "When we were named as the best place to live in the UK, I would say most people in Norfolk went 'well yeah'. We already know it. But we do get forgotten about because of our location. There are so many independent businesses in Norwich that it creates more of a community feel. So I do think that's a large part of it.

Her husband, Dan Fridd, added: "One of the things we're famous for is that people will come here for university, or for some other reason, and they won't be able to leave afterwards because they just love it so much."

Noting the city's relaxed approach, Leanne also shared: "It wasn't cool growing up, but it's become cool and actually, I'm incredibly proud of Norwich and being part of it because I think we have this real rebel spirit. But no one's in a rush - it's the Norfolk way".

"The city is brilliant", City Host, Malcolm, later told me, following a brief chat. "I've lived in Norfolk all my life. A lot of people visit and just stay."

So, whether you're looking for a weekend escape or a day out, I couldn't recommend a trip to Norwich more, and you never know who you might get caught up in a conversation with. Even a friendly welcome and chat in one of their cosy independent cafés is enough to brighten your day, as it did for me.

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