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Don’t get it twisted, at Time Out we’re obsessed with the likes of London or Edinburgh. Wandering their streets, eating in their restaurants and exploring their museums, it’s incredibly easy to see why they’re among Britain’s most popular cities. But we’re also big advocates for branching out, for going off the beaten track and checking out some of the countries more unsung corners.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the UK’s most underrated cities right now. And, taking the number one spot for 2026 is Norfolk’s capital, Norwich.
Norwich is steeped in culture and history. It’s England’s best preserved medieval city, with cobbled alleys, the 900-year-old Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle and Dragon Hall, the only surviving medieval trade hall built by an individual. As the city’s most complete medieval strip, don’t miss Elm Street in the city centre.
Part of Norwich’s appeal is that next to all of those ancient structures is a decidedly cool edge. There’s the Sainsbury Centre, a modernist landmark packed with contemporary art (from the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore and Francis Bacon) and old artefacts. Soundclash is a record shop and Norwich institution, Figbar is a cult spot for desserts and wine and Gonzo’s Tea Room is a brilliant hangout with a hefty burger menu and regular DJ nights.
The city also has some major literary credentials. In 2012, it became England’s first UNESCO City of Literature and was nicknamed the ‘City of Stories’. The likes of Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Eimear McBride and Sarah Perry have lived or studied in Norwich. It was also home to Julian of Norwich who, in 1395, published Revelations of Divine Love and is thought to be the first woman to write a book in English.
Bibliophiles have got to pay a visit to the Book Hive which, in it’s own words, has a ‘whimsical, alternative curation of curious books’ and is home to indie press Propolis. It has a long-term fan in The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood. She finished her novel The Heart Goes Last in one of them in one of the shop’s private writing rooms and has praised it as ‘eclectic, thoughtful, and tempting – a must for book lovers visiting Norwich’.
🌆 Explore Time Out’s full guide to the UK’s most underrated city breaks.
ICYMI: This colourful city with hundreds of murals is officially the best place in the UK for street art.
Plus: The 5 greatest UK cities for culture in 2026, according to Time Out.
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