Begin your day at Jarrolds, Norwich Market, Bread Source at Norwich Cathedral or The Britons Arms for a warm welcome and a coffee and cake. Each of these are also great for lunch.
If you want to know more about Norwich visit The Museum of Norwich a delightful bijou museum. Or perhaps Strangers’ Hall and/or Norwich Castle. Or think about pre-booking a wonderful walking tour with Paul Dickson or The Shoebox Experiences.
For shopping options see our shopping question and answer.
Norwich has two cathedrals Norwich Cathedral (Romanesque) in Tombland and the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Both are beautiful. At Norwich Cathedral you can join a free one-hour tour and walk through the largest monastic cloisters in the country. The Cathedral of St John is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture.
A visit to Norwich isn’t a visit to Norwich unless you take a walk to Elm Hill, Norwich’s most complete medieval street. It’s picture perfect. And there are some lovely little shops to explore. This is where the 13th Century Britons Arms is located for coffees, drinks, cakes, lunch and afternoon tea. Plus, its open for dinner on selected evenings.
Finish your day with a traditional Gluhwein with or without a slug of brandy on Norwich Market at Sir Toby’s Beers. You won’t regret it!
Take a look at our Norwich Map to get yourself orientated, and keep an eye out for physical copies with our City Hosts (identifiable in their blue tabards), as well as in shops around Norwich.
Norwich is a wonderful mix of everything you need on a day out or longer break- historic attractions, ambiance, local food and drink, shopping and culture.
1.Christmas Markets
Norwich doesn’t go in for one European style Christmas market. Instead- across the city centre at various venues, you will find over 12 smaller, artisanal markets– some themed – selling an array of locally made gift ideas and in some cases internationally! Markets run right up to the big day itself.
2.Shopping
Now we know this is a big topic, but Norwich is a city that has the best of both worlds- two city centre shopping centres and flagship regional stores from John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Frasers and Primark and lots of gorgeous independents including an award-winning independent department store with 5-floors!
So, shopping here is familiar and you can buy from local stores finding things that you can’t get at home!
3.Christmas food & drinks
Whether it’s lunchtime or later, there is always room for Christmas food & drink! For a quick pit stop when you are wrapped up warm, sip steaming Gluhwein at Sir Toby’s Beers on Norwich Market. It is the place to be! Don’t forget to pair it with an authentic empanada! At Jarrolds independent department store there’s a glam and cosy deli wine bar (with food), a seafood and wine bar, plus two further restaurants, a coffee bar and a café.
For ‘drinks, drinks’- head to Makers House (food as well) and their bijoux cocktail bar- Hawthorns (upstairs), plus there’s the ancient cosy city pub- The Ribs of Beef– situated by the river Wensum. Yalm food hall in The Royal Arcade is a great option. Lastly, one of Norwich’s newest bars- Bier Draak– is a great place to meet.
4.Festive Afternoon Teas
Norwich and further afield has a smorgasbord of Christmas afternoon teas for every budget. Make your choice from this list.
There are a host of family events and things to do in Norwich from visiting Father Christmas to panto. Many of the big attractions are located outside Norwich but not far away, so read about all your options here.
We also have a list of accessible performances in Norwich.
NOTE: Norwich Theatre Royal is offering children eat for free with each paying adult at Prelude during the run of Aladdin.
Norwich Theatre Royal has a fabulous annual panto. This year it is Aladdin (Saturday 7 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025) starring Joe Tracini, Lisa Maxwell and one half of Norwich comedy duo the Nimmo Twins, Owen Evans!
But, being a Traditionally Different city at Christmas, we also have a panto with a puppet cast! See Sleeping Beauty featuring beautiful multimedia miniature sets, glittering costumes and some of the best puppetry in the UK at Norwich Puppet Theatre (Saturday 14 December – Tuesday 31 December, 4 years +).
Whilst at The Garage, see Cinderella Rocks! (Sunday 8 December – Sunday 29 December). An all-female cast of hugely talented actor-musicians are set to inject a dose of girl power into this year’s festivities.
Yes, we have a number of accessible performances in Norwich and Norfolk over Christmas, including pantomimes and variety shows.
Check out our blog for more details, including dates: Accessible Christmas Performances in Norwich & Norfolk – Visit Norwich
The main routes into Norwich are the A47, A11, A140 and A146. If you are driving to Norwich this Christmas, then we would recommend Norwich Park & Ride, which has five sites and regular services.
Several multi-storey and surface car parks are located within the city centre, including parking at Riverside, Castle Quarter, Chantry Place, The Forum and John Lewis and St Andrew’s Car Park near Tombland. Some city centre streets have short-term parking bays with pay and display machines.
We recommend checking ahead for parking spaces and planned road works. You can find parking for Blue Badge Holders on the City Council website.
Yes, Norwich has a central station at Riverside and is only a 10-15 minute walk to all the main shops, museums, eateries, social activities, bars and entertainment venues. Look at Greater Anglia for trains from London Liverpool Street (fares from £12 each way), via Chelmsford, Manningtree, Colchester, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Diss. You can travel also with Greater Anglia from London Kings Cross via a change at Cambridge.
There are trains with East Midlands Railways via: Thetford, Ely, Peterborough, Grantham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Stockport, Manchester and Liverpool.
Yes, Norwich’s bus station is in the city centre, 2 minutes from everything.
Bus services to and around Norwich and Norfolk have improved in 2024, with the addition of new services and services at night. There’s also a new fleet of First electric buses operating on some routes.
Look at First, Konectbus, Beeline, National Express (London to Norwich), and Sanders Coaches for services and ticketing.
Norwich is a great place for Christmas shopping thanks to its wonderful mix of independent shops and high street brands, from the marketplace to the Norwich Lanes. And because Norwich is such a walkable city, you can get everywhere on foot with no need for further transportation.
For the best independents, go to the Jarrolds (independent department store), Norwich Lanes, The Royal Arcade, Norwich Cathedral Quarter and Norwich Market. In all of these locations you will find boutiques, galleries, lifestyle, vintage, bookshops, jewellery and antiques as well as plenty of places to eat and drink. Plus, Waterstones, The White Company, Fat Face, Clark’s and Mountain Warehouse.
For all your high street favourites, Norwich has flagship regional stores from Primark, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and Frasers. And two shopping centres – Castle Quarter and Chantry Place where you will find stores from the likes of TK Maxx, Apple, Zara, Mango, Whistles, Hotel Chocolat, JD Sports, H&M, Tiger and Oliver Bonas.
In Norwich, plenty of our shopping favourites are open for late night Christmas shopping throughout December, and usually on a Thursday.
At Chantry Place shopping centre, shops will stay open until 7pm every Thursday from 5 December and until 7pm on Monday 23 December. (As well as being open 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve).
Jarrolds’ hours vary depending on which day of the week you’re visiting, but this independent department store’s wonderful lower ground floor (where you’ll find the food hall!) will be open until 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from November to Saturday 21 December and until 7pm on 27 & 28 December. From Monday 16 December, Jarrolds will be open until 6pm Monday 16th, Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Friday 20th, until 7pm on Thursday 19th and Saturday 21st, and open for browsing from 10am on Sunday 22nd. Jarrolds will be open from 9am – 4.30pm on Christmas Eve.
John Lewis Norwich is open until 8pm every Thursday. Additionally, they will be until 6pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and until 7pm Saturday week commencing 9 December. Then week commencing 16 December, John Lewis will be open until 7pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, as well as Monday 23rd and Friday 27th. They will be open until 5pm on Christmas Eve.
In the Norwich Lanes, many of the stores will be open later on Thursdays.
The Royal Arcade has a Late Night Shopping event on Thursday 21 December from 6pm – 9pm.
Norwich doesn’t have one big Christmas Market but rather lots of small, artisan markets over most weekends in the lead up to Christmas. Take a look at: Festive Fair at the Forum, Fierce Babe Christmas Market, Global Village Christmas Market, Clutter City Winter Market, The Assembly House Christmas Fair, Local Makers Market and Jabbawocky crafts Christmas Craft & Gift Fair.
Norwich has an amazing array of independent eateries, including bars, food halls, restaurants, pubs and, of course, market stalls! Even more so at Christmastime. From seasonal menus with fresh local produce to festive afternoon teas or a mulled wine or hot chocolate from Norwich Market, check out our top recommendations for the best Christmas food and drink.
For good food, you’ve come to the right place- we’ve got gastronomic delights galore. Whether you’re looking for fine dining (we suggest Benedicts, Brix and Bones, and The Last), vegan and vegetarian dishes (Namaste Village), or a food hall full of worldwide cuisine (Yalm), there’s something to everyone’s tastes. There are also cosy restaurants like Makers House or WinePress at the Maids Head and traditionally different destinations like The Waffle House, so no matter what you fancy, you’re in for an unforgettable meal.
Take a look at the programming at Norwich Cathedral for ticketed and free music and services. One of the most popular events is Carols in the Closter (Saturday 14 December, 4pm).
Also look at The Cathedral of St John the Baptist and Norwich’s largest medieval church St Peter Mancroft which is in the heart of the city, opposite The Forum.
There is an array of venues for festive shows and music. Check out Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich Playhouse, The Forum, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich Cathedral, The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, St Peter Mancroft, and Bowling House.
From wreath workshops and candlelight events to Christmas markets and even a traditional Christmas carousel, Norwich has plenty of festive things to do this Christmas for every member of the family.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our City of Stories blog, where you’ll find festive things to do, Christmas nights out, festive family days out, what’s on in December and more!
The Forum is one of the best places to use the loo! Their new facilities include low-flow to help save water, they use environmentally friendly cleaning products AND they have a Changing Places toilet for people who have multiple and complex disabilities, plus a Family Room.
Other toilets can be found in Jarrolds, Castle Quarter, Chantry Place, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and Norwich Market.
There are plenty of welcoming places around Norwich that you can bring your dog, like cafés, pubs, bars, restaurants and more. For more information on where to go, check out our ‘Dog Friendly Norwich’ blog.
And if you’re staying overnight in the City of Stories, we’d recommend The Maids Head Hotel for a dog-friendly stay.
