Norwich Lancaster Train

Norwich is a city and county ton of Norfolk in the East Anglia region on England. The city lies on the River Wensum and in May 2012 it was designated England's first UNESCO City of Literature. Norwich has a rich history of art, literature and publishing which continues to the present day. Norwich had the first provincial library in England, opened in 1608, and the city newspaper, the Norwich Post, was the first provincial newspaper outside London in 1701. Today, Norwich accounts for 5% of the United Kingdom's independent publishing output.

Visitors to Norwich are attracted to its cathedral, its cobbled streets, the museums of old Norwich, Norwich Castle, Cow Tower, Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum, Dragon Hall and The Forum. In addition to its architecture and monuments Norwich is also in the UK's top 10 destinations for shopping. The city has a good blend of national chain retailers and independent shops. Norwich Market is also one of the largest outdoor markets in England.

Each year the Norfolk and Norwich Festival celebrates the arts, drawing many visitors into the city from all over eastern England. The Norwich Twenty Group, founded in 1944, presents exhibitions of its members to promote awareness of modern art. Norwich was home to the first arts festival in Britain in 1772.

Located in the county of Lancashire in the north west of England, the city of Lancaster is a compact city with a pedestrianised centre where theatres, music venues and galleries are just a few minutes’ walk from shops, pubs and restaurants. Take a stroll along one of Lancaster’s charming cobbled streets and you’ll find a wide variety of independent and individual shops, cafes and restaurants alongside the familiar chains. The city's heritage as a market town still continues with the twice-weekly Charter Market in bustling Market Square right in the centre of the city. A walk along St George's Quay, along the River Lune, will highlight Lancaster’s important maritime history as one of the major ports in England. Take time to stop in at the Maritime Museum to explore the city’s heritage as a centre for trade and import - there are plenty of interactive exhibits for the kids, and activities are run during the school holidays. Up the hill lies Williamson Park with its Butterfly House and Ashton Memorial - the green-domed folly, commissioned by Lord Ashton in memory of his wife, is visible from many points in and around Lancaster. Stroll the meandering paths to discover mosaics, sculptures and a sundial.