by Katie Thompson
It’s hard not to feel festive Christmas shopping in Norwich! With enchanting lights and stores fronting magical windows, we’ve got a wonderful selection to help you get ahead and find the perfect present for everyone on your list (including a well-deserved treat to yourself).
Shop in an Art Nouveau arcade and an independent department store abuzz with five floors of goodies. Peruse shopping centres filled with all your favourite brands and uncover our wealth of indie businesses for one-of-a-kind treasures.
Our advice? Start early and feel satisfied as you tick off each gift! Here’s our guide to Christmas shopping in Norwich!
Best Independent Christmas Shopping | Christmas Markets | Christmas Gift Guide
Where better to start than Jarrolds department store?
//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; Logan’s.
//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).
You won’t want to miss Jarrolds at Christmas. As Norwich’s flagship independent department store, you’ll find a whole range of departments brimming with fashion, lifestyle, 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 twinkling warren of cobbled streets rich with unique indies. 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 from Bowhill & Elliott. There’s so much to choose from!
Chantry Place is home to high street heroes and great local brands
//Shop: Lisa Angel; Langleys; Flannels; Hotel Chocolat; Zara; Levi’s.
//Eat & Drink: Rosa’s Thai; Mowgli; Wagamama.
//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).
For high street heroes, look no further than Chantry Place. This shopping centre boasts a brilliant variety of well-known names and longstanding Norwich favourites all in one place. It’s home to over 90 shops, cafes and restaurants, including Apple, Zara, Flannels, Levi’s and Hotel Chocolat, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
While you’re here, make sure to check out 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!
Castle Quarter is a great Christmas shopping destination for every family member and perfect for experiential gifts!
//Shop: Flying Tiger; Boots; The Entertainer; TK Maxx.
//Eat & Drink: Castle Social.
//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).
With an offering that includes the likes of Flying Tiger, Boots, TK Maxx, The Entertainer and more, Castle Quarter is a Christmas shopping destination for every family member!
Right in the heart of the City of Stories, Castle Quarter’s leisure facilities are made 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 Royal Arcade is a beautiful spot to shop in at Christmas
//Shop: Sonkai; B’Leaf, Lazy Lobster & Juni & Co in The Royal Arcade; Loake; Country & Eastern; John Lewis; Norwich Castle.
//Eat & Drink: Yalm; Macarons and More; Norwich Market; Sir Toby’s Beers.
//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).
Our beautiful Royal Arcade houses a bit of everything. There’s Lazy Lobster for lifestyle lovers, B’Leaf for plant enthusiasts and Juni & Co for beauty buffs. We recommend Sonkai for beautiful bespoke jewellery, before popping into Macarons and More for a sweet treat or Yalm for Christmas cocktails and a bite to eat from a local kitchen.
Closeby, you could easily lose track of time. There’s John Lewis for the latest technology and super stocking fillers, and Loake for luxurious men’s leather shoes and accessories. 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!
Finally the new shop at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery is well worth a mooch around. Think great local books and pieces for history, culture and lifestyle enthusiasts. Plus, you can walk in without buying an entrance ticket to the museum!
Elm Hill is like Norwich’s very own Christmas card scene!
//Shop: The Bear Shop; The Jade Tree; Elm Hill Crafts; Tombland Bookshop.
//Eat & Drink: Refectory Café at Norwich Cathedral; Giggling Squid; Pho; Beer Hatch.
//Park & Ride: Disembark at Tombland on 501 (Thickthorn & Airport) & 502 (Harford & Sprowston). All £3 return (only £1 extra with another full paying passenger).
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. Add a dusting of snow and 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 is The Bear Shop. Fit for teddy bear collectors of all ages, you’ll discover something truly special here, whether it’s a Charlie, Steiff or Paddington bear.
And for even more unique and creative gifts, pay a visit to the Sainsbury Centre shop (perfect for design lovers and easily accessible via the 25 bus) or take a trip to the Goat Shed (20 minutes’ drive from the city centre) for a flavour of Norfolk’s fabulous food and drink.
