Finding Home (and the Perfect Pint) in Norwich
When you’ve lived in London for 30 years, moving somewhere new can feel like a leap into the unknown. Two years ago, my wife and I took that leap and landed in Norwich.
I’m Pete Brown, a writer, author, consultant, broadcaster, and lifelong beer enthusiast, and I can safely say I’ve never felt more at home.
From Yorkshire to London to Norwich
I was born in Yorkshire and spent three decades in London before deciding it was time for a change. We sold up, ready to move somewhere with a slower pace and a bit more space. Somewhere on the East Coast.
I knew Norwich from visits to the north Norfolk coast and from City of Ale, the city’s brilliant beer festival held every May.
I persuaded my wife to come and have a look. Within a few hours, she fell in love with Norwich just as I had years earlier. We found the perfect house, and that sealed the deal.
Norwich wasn’t just somewhere we were moving to, it was somewhere we wanted to belong.
The Work–Life Balance I Didn’t Expect
The plan was semi-retirement, a peaceful life writing books in my study, with the occasional walk or pint. That plan lasted about five minutes. Since moving here, I’ve been busier than ever. Fortunately, the kind of work I do, writing, consulting, and broadcasting, can be done from anywhere.
There’s something special about finishing work, stretching your legs, and wandering to a local pub that opens its doors every day from noon. Norwich makes that feel effortless. Yes, traveling for work, often via London, can be a bit of a trek, but the quality of life here more than makes up for it.
Norwich: A Beer Writer’s Dream
If you love beer, Norwich is heaven. I would go as far as to say it’s one of the best beer cities in the UK. What’s remarkable is how recent that transformation has been. Some of the city’s most charming old pubs used to be rough biker joints just 20 years ago.
Today, Norwich’s beer scene is full of small, independent breweries that thrive thanks to a community that values local business. Names like Mr. Winter’s dominate Norwich pubs, yet step outside the city and they’re almost unknown. It’s a uniquely local beer culture, and I love it.
When I picked my top eight Norwich pubs for my Sunday Times column, I had at least 20 contenders. Locals were quick to point out the ones I’d missed, proof that Norwich has far more great pubs than anyone could possibly list.
Life on the NR3 Beer Mile
By pure coincidence, our house sits right at the top of the NR3 Beer Mile, a trail of 15 pubs leading into town. My wife still doesn’t believe I didn’t know about it when we bought the place.
On the walk into the city, I pass at least ten excellent pubs. The Rosebery is our local, and even the dog tries to drag us there on walks. The King’s Head is, in my opinion, the best real ale pub in Norwich, and when the sun is out, I can’t resist stopping at The Ribs of Beef. Its riverside terrace has become my “summer office,” with my laptop open, a pint of Citra in hand, and swans gliding past. It’s hard to imagine a better place to write.
A City Buzzing with Creativity
Beyond the beer, Norwich has an energy I didn’t expect. There’s a mix of young creatives, returnees from London, and lifelong locals, all contributing to a vibrant cultural scene. New beer festivals, venues like Yalm Food Hall, and micropubs such as The Malt and Mardle seem to appear every few months.
When I first arrived, no one under 40 in the beer scene knew who I was. As I’ve got to know people here, I’ve found a thriving, welcoming community full of passion and ideas.
