by Katie Thompson
If you’re like us, we can’t help but feel festive when it’s time for Christmas shopping in Norwich! What better way to show your loved ones how much you care than with the perfect gift? Well, you’re in the right place. Here in the City of Stories, we’ve got such a great selection you’ll find it hard to choose just one.
All around you, you’ll be entranced by festively themed window displays glowing with thoughtful gift ideas. From an independent department store abuzz with five floors of goodies (and quite literally wrapped up in a giant red bow!) to shopping centres filled with all your favourite brands. And don’t forget the wealth of indie businesses for one-of-a-kind treasures– Norwich is full of independent spirit!
Read on for our guide to the best places for Christmas shopping in Norwich!
If you want to make a weekend of it (and we suggest you do!), check out our guides to spending a Christmas break in Norwich and the best places to stay this festive season!
Did you know getting the train to Norwich is nice and straightforward? You can arrive from London (in under 2 hours!), Essex, Cambridge and Suffolk with Greater Anglia. Then, it’s only a 15-minute walk into the city centre from Norwich train station! And from further afield, you can travel with East Midlands Railway from Liverpool Lime Street via Sheffield, Nottingham and more.
Where better to start than Jarrolds department store?
You won’t want to miss Jarrolds at Christmas. And its stunning Christmas lights will make sure you don’t! Jarrolds is Norwich’s flagship independent department store- not to mention the city’s oldest family-run business. We always recommend leaving time for its 50+ departments (yes, really!). Here you’ll find a breathtaking range of products, including fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and an amazing selection of local produce- chances are you’ll come out with a present to yourself too!
Jarrolds sits at the entrance to the Norwich Lanes, a warren of cobbled streets lined with unique storefronts. This is the perfect destination for gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Think consciously curated lifestyle stores like Atwin, exquisitely crafted jewellery at Dipples, and personalised luxury slippers at Bowhill & Elliott. There’s so much to choose from!
The Details
Shop: Jarrolds; Dipples; Atwin; Bowhill & Elliott; Søstrene Grene.
Eat & Drink: The Wine Bars at Jarrolds; The Waffle House; Saporita; Grosvenor Fish Bar; Brix and Bones.
Activities: Visit Father Christmas’ Grotto in Jarrolds (1 December – 24 December).
Park & Ride: Disembark at Castle Meadow on 501 (Thickthorn & Airport), 502 (Harford & Sprowston) & 503 (Postwick). All £3 return (only £1 extra with another full paying passenger).
Chantry Place is home to high street heroes and great local brands!
If you’re looking for high street heroes, then look no further than Chantry Place. This shopping centre boasts a great variety of well-known names, as well as longstanding Norwich favourites, just minutes from each other. It’s home to over 90 shops, cafes and restaurants, including Apple, Zara, Frasers, Flannels, Levi’s and Office all under one roof, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Plus, it’s always decked out in festive fare- this year there’s Santa’s sleigh and an 8-metre Christmas tree!
And that’s not all. While you’re here, make sure to pay a visit to some local brands, too. Langleys is a terrific toy store that’s been trading in our fine city since 1883! And Lisa Angel is a lovely gift emporium where you can treat your loved ones to Christmassy decorations or personalised pieces. Those presents will be piling up under the tree!
The Details
Shop: Lisa Angel; Langleys; Frasers; Hotel Chocolat; H&M; Zara; Levi’s.
Eat & Drink: Rosa’s Thai; Ask Italian; Wagamama.
Activities: Enjoy Aladdin at nearby Norwich Theatre Royal (7 December – 5 January).
Park & Ride: Disembark at Norwich Bus Station on 501 (Thickthorn & Airport), 502 (Harford & Sprowston) & 503 (Postwick). All £3 return (only £1 extra with another full paying passenger).
Castle Quarter is a great Christmas shopping destination for every family member and perfect for experiential gifts!
With an offering that includes the likes of Flying Tiger, Boots, TK Maxx, The Entertainer and more, Castle Quarter is a great Christmas shopping destination for every family member! You’ll be feeling particularly festive after seeing their eye-catching decorations- including a towering tree and sparkling steam train- and joining in the Christmas Tree Trail!
Right in the heart of the City of Stories, Castle Quarter’s leisure facilities are great for those hard-to-find gifts. What about a voucher for one of their many exciting experiences? There’s Superbowl UK, Escape Hunt, Putt Putt Social, Boom Battle Bar, Retro Replay arcade, Vue cinema and even immersive Vector VR!
The Details
Shop: Flying Tiger; Boots; The Entertainer.
Eat & Drink: Castle Social.
Activities: Castle Quarter’s Christmas Tree Trail (18 November – 24 December); Escape Hunt; Boom Battle Bar; Putt Putt Social; Superbowl UK; Vector VR; Vue Cinema.
Park & Ride: Disembark at Castle Meadow on 501 (Thickthorn & Airport), 502 (Harford & Sprowston) & 503 (Postwick). All £3 return (only £1 extra with another full paying passenger).
The Royal Arcade’s Christmas decorations are some of our favourites!
The Royal Arcade is one of Norwich’s most eye-catching landmarks- and that’s without mentioning the shops on offer! Their stunning Christmas decorations are undoubtedly some of our favourites, too.
The Royal Arcade houses some of our best independents and is a must see for lifestyle-lovers (Lazy Lobster), plant enthusiasts (B’Leaf) and beauty buffs (Juni & Co and Izola) alike. We recommend popping into Sonkai for beautiful bespoke jewellery before checking out Macarons and More for a sweet treat and Yalm to tempt your tastebuds with worldwide cuisine.
Elsewhere around the Castle and Marketplace, you could easily lose track of time. There’s John Lewis (you’ll soon spot its twinkling facade) for the latest technology and super stocking fillers, and Loake for luxurious leather shoes and accessories. On the stalls of Norwich Market, you’ll be enticed by the endless array of food, drink and delights. Oh, and we couldn’t forget Country and Eastern. This hidden gem is a treasure trove of unexpectedly great gifts for the culture lovers in your life!
The Details
Shop: Sonkai, B’Leaf, & Juni & Co in The Royal Arcade; Loake; Country & Eastern; John Lewis.
Eat & Drink: Yalm, Macarons and More, & Marmalades in The Royal Arcade; Norwich Market.
Activities: Visit a Christmas Market at The Forum; The South Asia Collection; Norwich Castle.
Park & Ride: Disembark at Norwich Bus Station or Castle Meadow on 501 (Thickthorn & Airport), 502 (Harford & Sprowston) & 503 (Postwick). All £3 return (only £1 extra with another full paying passenger).
Elm Hill is like Norwich’s very own Christmas card scene!
At Christmastime (or any time of year, really), Elm Hill should be your go-to for a true taste of Norwich’s rich medieval history. You’ll be transported back in time thanks to its beamed buildings and colourful shopfronts- and with a dusting of snow, Elm Hill is like Norwich’s very own Christmas card scene!
Behind these glowing windows, you’ll find Elm Hill Crafts and The Jade Tree, two ideal independents for an eclectic mix of gifts, children’s toys and local ceramics. But the real star of the show has got to be The Bear Shop. This is a destination for something extra special. And it’s fit for teddy bear collectors of all ages, whether your favourite is a Charlie, Steiff or Paddington bear.
The Details
Shop: The Bear Shop, The Jade Tree, & Elm Hill Crafts on Elm Hill; Tombland Bookshop.
Eat & Drink: Bread Source at the Refectory Café; Britons Arms; Giggling Squid.
Activities: Christmas services at Norwich Cathedral; a riverside walk along the River Wensum.
Park & Ride: Disembark at Tombland on 501 (Thickthorn & Airport) & 502 (Harford & Sprowston). All £3 return (only £1 extra with another full paying passenger).
And if you still haven’t had enough festive fun Christmas shopping, then don’t forget to pay a visit to the Sainsbury Centre shop at the University of East Anglia (easily accessible via the 25 bus) or take a trip to the Goat Shed, just 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre, for a flavour of Norfolk’s fabulous food and drink.
