OVER 50 SAVINGS VOUCHERS INSIDE SHOP EAST ANGLIA …AND SMILE! Your guide to the best places to shop in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex. It makes sense to travel by train SHOP EAST ANGLIA 3 SHOP TIL YOU DROP! East Anglia is blessed with many fine cities and towns offering fantastic shopping experiences – from Norwich, Ipswich and Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds, Beccles and Colchester. All are perfect for a day out or short break with friends and family if you’re in the mood for a little retail therapy. Every destination is also easy to get to by train, so leave the car at home or at the station and hop aboard for a quick, affordable and hassle-free way to travel. Read on for what we deem to be the highlights of shopping in East Anglia, and don’t miss the fantastic savings vouchers located in the centre of this guide. Happy shopping! It makes sense to travel by train WHERE TO SHOP Norwich 4-5 Suffolk 6–7 Cambridge 8–9 Essex 10–11 Savings vouchers centre pages To print vouchers visit www.greateranglia.co.uk/shop For more information on the region visit www.visiteastanglia.net SHOP EAST ANGLIA 5 NORWICH A UK Top Ten shopping destination A visit to Norwich will bring you to the very heart of East Anglia. Just a short walk, bus or taxi ride from Norwich railway station, Norfolk’s charming capital is an ancient city boasting some of the finest medieval heritage in the country. Today, against this historic backdrop, thrives a friendly cosmopolitan city offering a diverse mix of cultural and arts attractions, superb and original shopping, family fun, great nightlife and a mouth-watering choice of restaurants, cafés and pubs. INDEPENDENT AND BIG NAMES It’s not hard to see why Norwich ranks so high for shopping. With its large pedestrianised areas and bustling lanes, its quirky independent shops, colourful six-day open-air market and spacious modern shopping malls, Norwich is truly a unique destination for shoppers. Norwich has all the UK’s leading department stores including John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, Bhs and Debenhams. The Castle Mall and Chapelfield shopping centres have over 150 stores between them whilst dozens of independent shops, many within the historic Norwich Lanes area and Norwich Cathedral Quarter, bring an extra dimension to any trip. The cobbled streets and narrow alleys of The Lanes embrace all aspects of contemporary lifestyle shopping and also offer plenty of independent cafés and restaurants where you can grab a coffee or enjoy a leisurely lunch before hitting the shops again. Jarrold, the city’s family-run independent department store since 1823, has won the prestigious title of UK Independent Department Store of the Year twice and has also been voted the nation’s favourite department store by The Times. The art nouveau Royal Arcade is home to a number of independent shops including the Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum. See www.visitnorwich.co.uk to find out more. Come and see why Norwich is a Top Ten shopping hit! 6 WWW.GREATERANGLIA.CO.UK/SHOP SUFFOLK For a relaxing shopping experience IPSWICH BECCLES Ipswich is Suffolk’s vibrant Sitting in the midst of County Town. The compact, picturesque surroundings traffic free town centre is close to the Suffolk-Norfolk perfect for relaxed browsing border, the delightful market and offers two large, under- town of Beccles is the perfect cover shopping centres base for those who enjoy – Buttermarket and Tower the finer things in life and Ramparts – plus historic wish to discover the region’s streets with the favourite delectable local produce high street department stores and thriving arts scene. you would expect along With a wealth of unique with unique independent shops, restaurants and stores. The area known as galleries, Beccles has The Saints (St Peters Street something for every taste. and St Nicholas Street) links Visit www.lovebeccles.co.uk the town centre with the rejuvenated Waterfront area and its selection of quality, independent clothes shops, delicatessens and antique shops. Ipswich also offers a wonderful selection of places to eat for hungry shoppers – from friendly tea rooms to international cuisine and every family favourite available. The Waterfront, situated only a stroll away from the main shopping area, offers a superb choice of eateries with quayside views. For more information visit www.allaboutipswich.com SHOP EAST ANGLIA 7 BURY ST EDMUNDS Named in the top ten of “most robust” mid-sized regional town centres by international retail consultants Javelin Group, Bury St Edmunds is a wonderful destination to shop. Mixed in with the beautiful Abbey Gardens and much sought after boutique hotel/restaurants such as The Angel, a unique shopping experience is waiting to be explored. With many independent clothing boutiques sitting alongside large high-street brands, all tastes are catered for. Bury St Edmunds is a paradise for shopping connoisseurs. Boasting a tempting array of independent shops, a bustling market, fine restaurants and many historic buildings – Bury St Edmunds really does have something for everyone. The number and quality of independent shops sets it aside from similar destinations. First time visitors are amazed at the variety on offer – there is something to suit every age, taste and pocket and you can find everything from locally produced food and drink to bespoke tailored clothing. Time your shopping trip to coincide with the bustling traditional street market which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the year as it’s a delightful sight not to be missed, selling everything from local fruit and vegetables to an array of clothing. And don’t miss the latest addition to the town – the ‘arc’ shopping centre. With top high street stores and a flag ship Debenhams, it gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a stunning new shopping experience to compliment the traditional settings of St John’s Street and Hatter Street. Visit www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk for more details. For more information on Suffolk visit www.visitsuffolk.com 8 WWW.VISITEASTANGLIA.NET/2FOR1 SHOP EAST ANGLIA 9 CAMBRIDGE A city for all seasons Cambridge is mostly known as a university city, with its quaint cobbled streets, stunning architecture and the daily hustle and bustle of students and visitors going about their day. As a multitude of visitors and locals have discovered, Cambridge is also home to a thriving shopping scene. The city offers itself as the ideal destination to get away for the weekend, relax and enjoy a well-deserved shopping break with friends or family. Take advantage of a welcoming city that is easily accessible and easy to get around – every corner turned offers a wide selection of shops to match all budgets. There are a number of shopping areas within the city and the surrounding areas, with shops suited to all tastes – whether you are looking for international designer clothing, independent boutiques selling everything from jewellery to local food or high street brands, Cambridge has everything you’ll need to plan and enjoy your shopping break. To plan your own bespoke shopping trip, why not take advantage of the online Visit Cambridge Shopping Itinerary – where you can search for the specific shops that are your preferred choice and see what attractions, accommodation, events, activities and eating out options are close by. For more information please visit www.visitcambridge.org 10 WWW.GREATERANGLIA.CO.UK/SHOP ESSEX A great selection of shopping Essex is a great place to head to for a breadth of shopping – from pretty villages to large towns including Colchester, Chelmsford, Braintree, Harwich and Clacton. Whether you like familiar high street brands, designer outlets, boutiques or independent stores, there’s something for you. COLCHESTER Colchester is a wonderful destination to mix some shopping with a little heritage. Its narrow streets and winding lanes house a unique collection of independent and specialist shops, which sit alongside larger high-street names. You’ll also discover award-winning Williams & Griffin independent department store, which offers great retail therapy and eateries. An eclectic mix of cuisines can be found across the town – from relaxed cafés and delicatessens to Indian and Thai restaurants. And if that’s not enough there’s heritage around every corner, including Colchester Castle and its impressive exhibitions and collections. See www.visitcolchester.com for more details. SHOP EAST ANGLIA 11 CHELMSFORD FROM FARM For a day out shopping, TO FORK The Meadows Shopping If you prefer shopping Centre located in the heart of for food rather than your Chelmsford is perfect. Voted wardrobe, Essex Farmers as the best shopping centre Markets are the place to go. in Essex by listeners of local Organising markets in places radio station EssexFM, and with including Brentwood, Romford more than 50 leading high street and Southend-on-Sea, they shops and a great selection are bringing selected local of cafés and restaurants, producers to village halls, it’s the place to shop. high streets and market squares across the county in a bid to re-establish a BRAINTREE direct relationship between producer and consumer. For the keen bargain hunter, So why not stock up on the Freeport Braintree locally grown and produced Shopping Village in the delicacies and your plate historic town of Braintree is will be better for it! bliss. This shopper’s paradise For information on farmers houses a fantastic array of markets across the region visit 80 stores selling recognised www.visiteastofengland.com names and designer brands with up to 60% off. The ultimate in priceless shopping! Shopping Advert - East Anglia DL_Layout 1 23/10/2012 14:45 Page 1 MORE THAN BRITAIN’S OLDEST RECORDED TOWN Enjoy a relaxed shopping experience with a refreshing blend of independent retailers, big- name stores, department stores and regular street markets.