by Katie Thompson
We know that when it comes to Christmas getaways, you’ll want to stay in somewhere as magical as the festive season. Are you a lover of all things Christmas? Or would you prefer a calm escape in Scandi simplicity?
From unique boutiques at the heart of the action to historic hotels with a story to tell, countryside retreats to coastal getaways, Norwich has a great selection to choose from, whether you’re visiting with friends, family or as a couple.
Perhaps you’ll be exploring Norwich’s myriad of Christmas markets and cobbled Lanes full of independent stores lit up with twinkling lights. Or is a panto performance more your style? Follow a matinee of Aladdin with a festive afternoon tea as magical as the cave of wonders or top your festive stay with an indulgent meal full of seasonal flavours. And before you leave, don’t forget to discover the City of Stories’ traditionally different side with a Christmas walking tour!
But Norwich is also a tranquil destination for Christmas Day itself. Get away from it all and treat yourself to an indulgent stay (with no cooking!) where you can truly rest and relax.
No matter how you’re spending your Christmas break, there’s nothing better than having a comfortable bed to put your feet up after a long day.
So, here are our top recommendations of where to stay in Norwich this Christmastime!
Each of the luxurious rooms at The Assembly House are individually decorated and sure to take your breath away!
Who wouldn’t want to stay in a Georgian Grade I listed boutique hotel? And in the heart of the city centre, The Assembly House offers a luxurious escape surrounded by historic elegance and sumptuous interiors. Even better, at Christmas, it’s home to glittering decorations, including a towering tree adorned with baubles, lights and maybe even a gingerbread man or two!
Each of their 16 individually decorated bedrooms is guaranteed to take your breath away– take a look through and book your favourite! They perfectly blend the decadence to match such a lovely building with a modern freshness thanks to pops of colour and textured furnishings. Whichever room you pick, you’ll be spoilt- be it with a roll-top bath, triple-aspect view or even your own private courtyard or balcony!
While you’re here, embrace the festive spirit with wreath workshops, Christmas cookery school sessions (Italian festive bakes, anyone?), and, of course, The Assembly House’s Nutcracker-themed afternoon tea and Après Ski menu.
Rooms available from £170 per night from November.
Tea, Fizz & Stay from £199 deal (1 night).
Christmas Shop and Stay offer from £395 (2-nights).
Stays over the Christmas period with 2 nights from £895 per couple
Family rooms: Room 1 (suite, sleeps 6), Room 5 (sleeps 3), Room 6 (sleeps 5), Room7 (sleeps 4), Room 10 (sleeps 4), 12 and 16 (sleeps 3).
Accessible room: Room 3 (2 people and can be made into a twin).
The Maids Head Hotel is a great city centre stay for historic location and modern charm! Credit: ETT Photography
If you’re looking to stay somewhere with historic atmosphere, look no further than the Maids Head Hotel, the oldest hotel in the country! Its records go back an extraordinary 800 years, but don’t let this fool you. Its modern charm, combined with its enchanting location in Norwich’s Cathedral Quarter, just a short walk via the cobbled Elm Hill to the independent Norwich Lanes, makes the Maids Head ideal for a city centre stay.
After a day of Christmas shopping or festive sightseeing, it’s the perfect place to unwind in comfort, especially when it’s adorned from top to bottom with seasonal decorations! Even their sheltered winter courtyard offers warmth and respite thanks to heaters and cosy blankets- and maybe a glass of something sparkling!
Plus, the Maids Head’s very own 2 AA Rosette restaurant, WinePress, is one of Norwich’s finest dining establishments. Choose between the a la carte or tasting menu with optional wine pairings! Here, you’ll discover a myriad of local produce- from gin to whisky, wine to rum- so when you’re partaking in a little Christmas shopping remember to find these for the perfect souvenirs or stocking fillers to take home!
The Maids Head have plenty of Christmas events on through November and December, too, including those a little different like festive wine tastings and Christmas Murder Mystery Specials! Check out the Maids Head website for more information on these events.
Double rooms available from £130 per night from November.
Shop and stay for £235 (1 night including afternoon tea).
Shop, stay and dine from £230.
Stays over the Christmas period with 3 nights from £640 per person.
Interconnecting rooms: 2, plus 4 suites, 8 junior suites with sofa beds (2 children), 4 uniquely designed Feature Rooms with a sofa bed, 26 Executive Rooms which can accommodate a Z bed for one child plus a travel cot.
Dog friendly rooms: 3
Accessible room: 1
Park Farm Hotel’s Scandi Lodges are perfect for festive get togethers with friends and family!
Just southwest of Norwich, you’ll discover Park Farm Hotel, a blissful retreat set in 200 acres of beautiful countryside. This is the place to get together with friends and family over the festive season, enjoy those crisp winter mornings and get away from all the hustle and bustle. But if you do fancy a Christmas market or a festive meal, then the City of Stories is only a 15-minute drive away!
This idyllic Georgian country house has plenty of rooms on offer for a rural retreat, each one taking inspiration from nature with views of Norfolk’s wide-open skies and some with a private patio! Even better for this time of year, book one of their Scandinavian-style lodges (which can accommodate up to 6 people). Their cosy social space and modern ensuite bathrooms perfectly balance time to relax and enjoying it with others.
And if you really want to relax, Park Farm’s spa and leisure facilities- swimming pool, sauna, spa, gym (need we say more?)- are a must. You’ll leave feeling a weight off your shoulders in no time! It’s a great way to treat yourself, it is Christmas after all…
Standard rooms available from £129 per night from November.
Accessible rooms: 2
Dog friendly rooms: 1 cottage
The Norfolk Mead Hotel is a rural retreat not too far from the city’s Christmas buzz. Oh, and it’s has a spa.
Like us here at VisitNorwich, you’ll be taken in by the allure of twinkling lights and the beautifully decorated streets of Norwich’s city centre at Christmas. Pair that with a little Christmas shopping and maybe a Christmas market or two, then you’re sure to be feeling festive. But afterwards, when you need a restful retreat from the buzzing atmosphere, where better than the Norfolk Mead Hotel?
This Georgian Grade II listed house combines modern luxury with rustic elegance- and that’s before you discover their award-winning spa! Located in the heart of the Broads National Park, just 20-minutes’ drive from Norwich, you’ll find this fantastic hotel on the banks of the River Bure. And at Christmastime, with its cosy decorations and roaring log fires, you’ll find it hard to leave!
Relax in Norfolk Mead’s chic and elegant rooms (not to mention tucking into homemade brownies on arrival), before a rejuvenating spa treatment, swim in the pool and, for something different, a detox in the UK’s first beer spa! Follow this with a delicious meal packed full of seasonal flavours in their 2 AA Rosette restaurant- their festive menu includes quality local ingredients and elevated classics.
…And relax.
Rooms available from £145 per night from November.
Stays over the Christmas period with 3 nights from £1,400 per couple.
Accessible room available.
Barnham Broom’s specialised golf getaways are the perfect leisure escape this Christmastime!
Golf-lovers, look no further. Barnham Broom resort boasts a stylish setting in 300 acres of Norfolk countryside, just 25 minutes from Norwich city centre. Surrounded by open fields, lush lawns and well-kept greens, their 18-hole golf course is ranked the best golf course in the East of England by National Club Golfer. Add a dusting of snow and you’ve the perfect picturesque Christmas escape- Barnham Broom even offer specialised golf getaways! (And for any partners, friends or family, you’re not forgotten either- while away your afternoon with an indulgent spa experience or take advantage of the expert leisure facilities!)
After a refreshing round of golf or energising game of tennis, embrace the comfort of their luxurious rooms and spacious suites (you’ll instantly relax in one of their sumptuous super king size beds).
During the festive season, Barnham Broom is illuminated with a golden glow that matches their warm hospitality- think sparkling trees and fireplaces dotted with stockings. Feast on traditional afternoon tea with a festive flair and lunches full of seasonal flavours.
Double rooms available from £117 from November.
Stays over the Christmas period with 3 nights from £495 per person.
Who doesn’t love a visit to the coast at Christmas? Look no further than The Victoria on Holkham Estate.
Who doesn’t love a visit to the coast at Christmas? And just an hour’s drive from Norwich, you’ll discover the wide skies, sandy beaches and nature reserve of Holkham and Wells-Next-The-Sea, just one part of Norfolk’s breathtaking coastline.
The Victoria on Holkham Estate is a cosy 4-star retreat with 20 luxury bedrooms, all individually decorated. Here, sustainability is at the heart of everything they do- with The Victoria even winning a Gold Green Tourism Award. Their 2 AA Rosette restaurant creates delicious dishes with fresh and seasonal local produce, including fish sourced from the Norfolk coast and veg from Holkham’s very own walled garden!
Even better, half of the rooms (and the restaurant!) are dog-friendly, so your furry friend can join you on a night away and enjoy all that this destination has to offer.
And after exploring the beach (it’s a lovely walk from the hotel), you can discover Holkham Hall itself, a grand Palladian-style house that’s even more magical at Christmastime- you might even spot the park’s iconic herd of (rein)deer. At Holkham’s Christmas market (13 December – 15 December), you’ll find over 60 producers of local food, drink and gifts- it’s great for a stocking filler. Or, if like us, you want to feel extra festive, tour Holkham Hall by Candlelight (various dates from 29 November – 30 December, from £32 per adult)!
Double rooms available from £190 from November.
Dog-friendly rooms: 10
Interconnecting rooms available for families.
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