by Katie Thompson
We all love a trip to look forward to, right? So, with a four-day weekend on the cards, a night or two in the City of Stories will make your Easter break egg-stra special! Think sun kissed cafes and eating alfresco, bright blooms, chirping birds and peaceful walks along the river. Throw in an indulgent chocolate treat or two and we’re already relaxing! Plus, we’ve got loads on for families over the Easter holidays.
And a staycation in the beautiful surrounds of Norwich and Norfolk doesn’t stop there. From week-long coastal escapes to laidback breaks in the Broads set in acres of luscious countryside, whether you’re staying with friends, as a couple or travelling solo.
Check out our mini itineraries for our favourite things to do on a break in Norwich and Norfolk this Easter!
The Assembly House’s bright interiors make a lovely city centre stay
Where to begin but the City of Stories? We may be biased, but Norwich is an ideal break for history-lovers, indie shoppers and foodies alike. And during springtime, the city really comes into its own.
For a boutique B&B at the heart of it all, opt for The Assembly House. Mixing Georgian elegance and sumptuous interiors, each room brings a ray of sunshine to your stay.
A weekend at The Assembly House wouldn’t be complete without treating yourself to their incredible three-tiered afternoon teas. And their Easter menu is always one we keep an eye out for. This year’s appropriately Norfolk-named ‘Hare Comes Easter’ afternoon tea (£32.50pp) features all the usual favourites (you’ll smell the scones before you see them) alongside decadent sweet treats. We can’t wait to try the Berry Bunny Bliss (an Easter Eton Mess shot topped with a biscuit bunny). Yum!
First a bit of culture! Slightly out of the centre is the Sainsbury Centre, an innovative Norman Foster-designed art museum (travel here via the 25 bus). Pay what you can to enter, and you’ll discover displays of amazing art spanning thousands of years. While you’re here, check out their unique exhibition series, this time tackling the question ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’
Get a different perspective with Pub & Paddle!
Taking the bus back into town, disembark on Earlham Road for one of Norwich’s best hidden gems: Plantation Garden. This serene spot is perfect for a picnic. Its trickling Victorian fountain makes a tranquil soundtrack to your morning.
Just a short walk across the Grapes Hill footbridge takes you to the Norwich Lanes. Wander these quaint cobbled streets at your leisure, popping into an array of independents along the way- make a note of the enticing eateries for later! If you’re feeling peckish, we suggest stopping at family-run Italian Saporita for an authentic (and delicious!) panino. Or, of course, make sure you visit Norwich Market for everything from Spanish albondigas to slow-cooked chillies!
Then take the afternoon slow. At Pub & Paddle, hire a canoe and paddle along the river Wensum to Thorpe St Andrew and back, stopping off for a well-earned drink at a number of local pubs along the route. You’ll find Pub & Paddle on Elm Hill Quay (quite conveniently) next to the Ribs of Beef. This traditional pub is the perfect pitstop, especially when relaxing on their waterside terrace with a glass of your choosing. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth like us, Cafe Gelato is just a 5-minute walk away on Opie Street (we can’t get enough of the dark chocolate sorbet!).
The Details
Stay: The Assembly House
See & Do: Sainsbury Centre; Plantation Garden; Pub & Paddle
Eat & Drink: Saporita; Norwich Market; Ribs of Beef; Cafe Gelato
A stay at Park Farm is best topped off with a visit to their spa
As the only English city situated in a national park, exploring the county’s countryside is a must when you’re visiting Norwich.
Start your stay by checking into Park Farm Hotel. It’s only 7 miles from the city centre (and easily accessible from the A11) but feels secluded thanks to its 200 acres of idyllic countryside. Each of their stylish suites boasts super king size beds, some with walk-in wardrobes, while their Scandinavian-style lodges are perfect for bigger groups.
During your time here, be sure to book one of their serene spa treatments and make the most of their fantastic leisure facilities- you’ll thank yourself later.
At the heart of the Norfolk Broads, head to Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden (a 25-minute drive away). This is a peaceful spot with over 4 miles of woodland walkways to explore. At springtime, you’ll be treated to swathes of bluebells, rhododendron and azaleas! Here, you can take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, listening to the whispering leaves and rippling water.
Fairhaven is a real hidden gem in the Broads
Speaking of water, an amazing way to really soak up the Broads blissful surroundings is by taking one of Fairhaven’s boat trips. Over 20 or 50 minutes, you can sail alongside gliding swans, up the river Bure and past the ruins of St. Benets Abbey.
What would a visit to the Broads be without seeing its capital Wroxham? This is a buzzing village with waterside eateries, where both locals and visitors come to visit. Close by, you’ll find Wroxham Miniature Worlds and Bure Valley Railway– two unique attractions for every age!
Before making your way back to the hotel, we recommend stopping off at Redwell Brewery (it’s less than 10 miles away, after all). Here, you can sip on a locally brewed beer in their working taproom for a truly immersive experience. Or, if the weather’s warm, there’s nothing more appealing than a crisp pint outside in their beer garden.
After a carefree day out, we suggest a meal at Park Farm’s own Seasons Restaurant. And when the menu includes grilled seabass and local mussels- not forgetting the all-important raspberry brûlée- it would be rude not too!
The Details
Stay: Park Farm Hotel
See & Do: Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden; Wroxham Miniature Worlds; Bure Valley Railway
Eat & Drink: Redwell Brewery
Settle in for a night or two at Holly Lodge’s cosy Shepherd’s Hut
Norfolk’s breathtaking coastline rivals some of the most beautiful in the world. And when you arrive, you can see why.
Make Thursford’s Holly Lodge Boutique B&B your base. Just 8 miles from the coast, their cottage rooms are cosy yet chic, with plush furnishings and set in blooming gardens. Or their Shepherd’s Hut offers a charming escape with wood burner, king size bed and the choice of self-catering!
From here, it’s only a half an hour drive (or you can hop on the Coasthopper bus!) to the traditional Victorian seaside town of Cromer. Walk along the shoreline (with a Mr Whippy to accompany you) and see if you can spot the Banksy on the sea wall.
A visit to Cromer isn’t complete without stepping onto Cromer Pier! Marvel at one of very few end-of-the-pier shows, see if you can count the crabbing buckets and, if the weather’s being typically British, stop for a hot chocolate with all the trimmings and sea views in the pier’s Pavilion Bar.
One of our favourite things to do is a leisurely drive along the coast road- windows down if the weather allows! It’s here you truly get a sense of our amazing coastline with wide open skies overhead as pebbled beaches transform into clay cliffs, thriving marshes, windswept dunes and golden sands.
Holkham’s grounds are a great place for a walk, cycle or boat ride
It’s 24 miles from Cromer to Holkham (with a pitstop for award-winning fish and chips at Wells-next-the-Sea). Or you can walk through the earthy pines at Wells to Holkham beach, which you might recognise from the film Shakespeare in Love.
At Holkham Hall itself, there’s so much to explore. From the beautiful Palladian-style house to the enchanting walled garden. If it’s warm enough, we suggest hiring a rowing boat for a peaceful paddle on the lake (furry friends allowed). Or perhaps cycling is more your thing.
Over the Easter weekend, Holkham’s Spring Market returns (18 – 20 April, FREE). It’s a showcase of the best local produce, including Norfolk wine and condiments, handcrafted jewellery and homeware, as well as mouthwatering street food.
We don’t know about you, but after a day filled with sea air, a delicious dinner is just what we need. At The Victoria, you can tuck into seasonal dishes followed by indulgent desserts or Norfolk cheeses. Yum!
And before you head home, we suggest stopping at Pensthorpe nature reserve. Embrace the glorious great outdoors, spotting birds (yes, even flamingos), butterflies and other wildlife across their 700-acre site. While you’re here, why not join Penthorpe’s Easter Table Decoration Workshop (19 April, £60pp) as a souvenir of your Easter escape?
The Details
Stay: Holly Lodge Boutique B&B
See & Do: Holkham Hall; Pensthorpe; Cromer Pier
Eat & Drink: The Victoria
