I have been a bit remiss in avoiding putting up any information about the available shopping in Norfolk and Suffolk. Mostly this comes down to the fact that as a guy I have a set pattern of my friends shops  which I use.

However shame on me as the retail experience will be as important to some travelers as the leisure one.

So lets start by looking at the retail capitals Ipswich and Norwich. I am taking Norwich as I live there.

So.. Shops in Norwich and Norwich Shopping. Right well once there were very few now there are loads of different outlets. It looked like the recession was killing of small independent traders and retail outlets, hopefully this will slow down and be reversed as time passes.  You have fthree distinct shopping zones

The new town Chapelfield Mall, this brought a plethora of national brands back to the city in purpose built mall on the old Nestle chocolate factory site. Great if you like all your brands in one place and like to eat chain food whilst you shop. It is very shiny and brand new. However you can have a similar shopping experience at most major international airports as this is the overall feel.

East of the new development is the traditional centre of the city  a big slab of retail heaven with wide streets a market place  and food / coffee stops dotted everywhere.  Gentlemans walk has some real architectural treats. Just to the North is the Castle Mall, which from 1992 – 2002 was the preminent shopping mall, largely built under the castle mound with its own gardens it is far more interesting than Chapelfield but struggles to offer the same quality of shopping.

East of Gentlemans walk are the lanes or Old town, here interesting boutiques and independent traders have made their home in the historic quarter of the city.  You find few big brands just high quality individual shops and food stops. This is my favourite place to shop and eat.

So there you have it!