Christmas Shopping Breaks in Norwich
Christmas Shopping Breaks in Norwich
by Katie Thompson
When it comes to a festive stay, you’ll want somewhere as special as the season. Especially on a Christmas shopping break, with glittering window displays and enticing Christmas markets awaiting your visit! (Norwich certainly has Christmas shopping covered.)
And Norwich has a great selection of accommodation to choose from. From unique boutiques at the heart of the action to historic hotels, self-catering options and Scandi-inspired interiors. Whether you’re here for a pre-Christmas treat or indulging in a stay over the big day itself.
Here are the best places to stay for a Christmas shopping break in Norwich!
Image: VisitNorwich
Norwich
The Assembly House
Theatre Street
Each of the luxurious rooms at The Assembly House are individually decorated and sure to take your breath away! Credit: The Assembly House
Decked out in sparkling fairy lights, shiny baubles and home to Norwich’s tallest Christmas tree, The Assembly House offers a magical city centre stay!
At the heart of the action, each one of this luxurious B&B’s 16 rooms is guaranteed to take your breath away. Their sumptuous interiors perfectly blend cosy textures with Georgian elegance, while contemporary bathrooms and well-thought colour palettes are both practical and stylish. 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!
If you time it right, 22 or 29 November, to be exact, you can peruse beautifully made wares at The Assembly House’s Christmas Fair!
Rooms from £160 per night for 2 people in November, includes breakfast. Book via The Assembly House’s website.
//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 (sleeps 2, can be made into a twin), Room 4 (ground floor).
Maids Head Hotel
Tombland
The Maids Head Hotel is a great city centre stay for historic location and modern charm! Credit: ETT Photography
During the festive season, the Maids Head is cosy Christmas personified. Situated in Tombland, with views of Cathedral Close, this 800-year-old hotel combines modern charm with historic character. The Maids Head is also close to enchanting Elm Hill, home to must-visit indies, including the eclectic gifts of The Jade Tree, eye-catching stationery of Elm Hill Craft shop and friendly, cuddly faces of The Bear Shop!
With elegant interiors, you can expect four poster beds, roll-top baths, walk-in showers and wooden beams. Oh, and guests are treated to a complimentary Bentley ride to see the city sights, too!
And after a day of sightseeing and shopping, unwind in the hotel’s lounge and settle in in front of the crackling fire. Or book a table at their stylish WinePress restaurant for a real treat!
Rooms from £145 per night for 2 people in November, room only. Book via the Maids Head’s website.
//Festive Stay and Dine (27 November – 22 December): from £135pp.
//Festive Shop and Stay (27 November – 22 December): from £135pp.
//Festive Residential Offer: from £750pp for 3 nights.
// Interconnecting Rooms: 2. Plus 4 suites, 8 junior suites with sofa beds (2 children), 4 uniquely designed feature rooms with 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
38 St Giles
Norwich Lanes
38 St Giles is characterful and elegant, with personal and modern touches. Credit: 38 St Giles
For an elegant yet relaxing, stay, 38 St Giles offers a special space to come back to after a day exploring everything the City of Stories has to offer.
Each room offers a seamless blend of characterful features, such as stained glass, decorative cornices and chic panelling, in understated and warm colour palettes, combining sumptuous furnishings with personal touches. (Yes, please to homemade cakes on arrival!)
Add in modern flourishes- think a seamless self-check-in experience, drench showers and sleek technology, 38 St Giles is truly indulgent. When it’s time for breakfast, make the most of the Lanes’ tempting eateries (not to mention the myriad of independent shops), including 38 St Giles’ partnership with popular brunch spot J.C. Pinto (go for the feta rosti!).
Rooms from £133 for 2 people in November, room only. Book via 38 St Giles’ website.
Red Lion Apartment
Cathedral Quarter
A home away from home, the Red Lion Apartment is a cosy, self-catering stay. Credit: De’Ath Hospitality
When you’re looking for a home away from home, the Red Lion Apartment is cosy (and spacious) self-contained accommodation, both close to Norwich’s buzz and separate enough to offer a sense of solitude.
It’s perfectly located in our Cathedral Quarter, above the Red Lion Bishopgate pub, and with views of the fluttering treetops of weeping willows that envelop the banks of the River Wensum. With a large sitting and dining room (including a large corner sofa, Scandi-inspired dining area and open-plan living), three bedrooms and two bathrooms, you’ll want to spend time together here with friends and family, sharing the treasures you’ve picked up during the day.
Whilst the Red Lion apartment is self-catering, we recommend enjoying an evening meal downstairs in the pub (you won’t have to walk far to make it home!). Or on the morning of your departure, how about a reinvigorating sauna session at The Lions’ Den next door?
From £245 per night in November, 2 nights minimum. Book via this link.
Norfolk
Park Farm Hotel
6.5 miles from Norwich
Park Farm Hotel’s Scandi Lodges are perfect for festive get togethers with friends and family! Credit: Park Farm Hotel
Set in 200 acres of beautiful countryside, Park Farm Hotel is a blissful retreat just a short drive from Norwich.
While this idyllic Georgian hotel offers a selection of stylish suites- each inspired by the surrounding countryside, you can also admire Norfolk’s wide-open skies and crisp winter mornings from the warmth of their Scandinavian-style lodges. Accommodating up to 6 people, cherish moments with friends and family in the cosy lounge area, before relaxing in your chic ensuite. (And for a real indulgence, how about a treatment in their spa? It is Christmas after all, and you’ll need to recover after all that festive shopping…)
Rooms from £134 per night for 2 people in November, includes breakfast. Book via Park Farm Hotel’s website.
//Dog Friendly Rooms: 1 cottage
//Accessible Rooms: 2
Norfolk Mead Hotel
8.5 miles from Norwich
The Norfolk Mead Hotel is a rural retreat not too far from the city’s Christmas buzz. Oh, and it’s has a spa. Credit: The Norfolk Mead Hotel
At The Norfolk Mead, you’ll be treated to a restful stay just a few miles from the buzzing atmosphere of Norwich’s sparkling streets.
Combining modern luxury with rustic elegance, this Grade II listed Georgian country house feels like a home away from home. After a refreshing walk along the River Bure, nestle into an armchair in their snug in front of the log fire.
With bright interiors, plush furnishings and king size beds akin to sleeping on a cloud (not to mention homemade brownies on arrival), it’s easy to relax here. Especially when you combine it with a rejuvenating spa treatment!
Rooms from £175 per night for 2 people in November, includes breakfast. Book via The Norfolk Mead’s website.
//Christmas Accommodation Package: from £1,475 for 2 people.
//Dog Friendly Rooms: 3
//Accessible Rooms: 1
Dunston Hall Hotel
4.5 miles from Norwich
With views of Norfolk countryside, Dunston Hall is a great stay for relaxing after a day of shopping. Credit: Dunston Hall Hotel
Sheltered in gloriously green grounds (but only a few miles from the City of Stories, perfect for exploring our cobbled streets), Dunston Hall is a beautiful rural getaway. With clean lines and stylish bathrooms, Dunston Hall’s rooms look out onto swathes of Norfolk countryside. On those frosted winter days, wake up to trees glittering in the cold sunlight. With windows aglow, this 4-star hotel is straight from a Christmas card.
And while you’re here, it would be rude not to make the most of their picturesque golf course and delightful spa- followed by afternoon tea, of course!
Rooms from £133 per night for 2 people in November, includes breakfast. Book via Dunston Hall’s website.
//Christmas Stays: from £450 for 2 nights for 2 people.
//Family rooms available
//Dog friendly rooms available
//Accessible Rooms: 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Norwich ideal for a Christmas shopping break?
Norwich is a great destination for a Christmas shopping break because the city’s medieval street pattern means that it is compact and everything is within walking distance. You don’t need to get the bus to explore the city centre.
Norwich also has a great variety of shops, from independents to high street names.
We have two shopping centres- Castle Quarter and Chantry Place, where you will find names like H&M, Flying Tiger, Hotel Chocolat, Oliver Bonas, Frasers and more. Norwich is also home to regional flagships for John Lewis, M&S and Primark. Head to Gentleman’s Walk for more high street shops.
Norwich Lanes is home to an amazing variety of independents. This range from lifestyle stores, vintage fashion and gift shops to antiques and collectibles, bookshops and jewellers. Our favourites include Atwin, Bowhill & Elliott, Elm, Lisa Angel and Sevenwolves. And not forgetting our family-run independent department store Jarrolds, with five floors and an amazing food hall.
Elsewhere, visit the Royal Arcade, Tombland and Elm Hill.
For more details, check out our Christmas Shopping in Norwich blog.
What Christmas markets are there in Norwich?
Norwich doesn’t just have one single Christmas market, but many, from the end of October to December. Each one is different, celebrating local makers alongside food and drink, literature and more. All are full of Christmas charm, often to the background of a brass band and most are FREE to visit.
In 2026, Norwich welcomes NEW, traditional-inspired Christkindl Market in Chapelfield Gardens- think chalets, mulled wine and seasonal magic.
For a comprehensive list of the best Christmas markets, check out our dedicated blog here: The Best Christmas Markets in Norwich.
Our favourites include: Festive Fair at the Forum, Fierce Babe Christmas Market, Global Village Christmas Market, Clutter City Winter Market, The Assembly House Christmas Fair, and Local Makers Market.
Where is there late night shopping in Norwich at Christmas?
In Norwich, many stores open for late night Christmas shopping throughout December, and usually on a Thursday.
At Chantry Place shopping centre, shops are often open until 7pm on Thursdays in December and later in the month. There will be two late night shopping evenings on 10 & 17 December.
Jarrolds’ hours vary depending on which day of the week you’re visiting, but this independent department store’s lower ground floor opens later until 8pm on Thursdays (19 November and 10 & 17 December only), Fridays and Saturdays from 2 November, and opens on Christmas Eve, 9am – 4.30pm.
John Lewis Norwich is open until 8pm every Thursday. From 28 November until Christmas, the store will open until 7pm on Saturdays. In December, the store extends its opening hours to 6pm from 7 – 13 December, 7pm from 14 – 20 December and 8pm from 21 -23 December (all excluding Sundays). John Lewis will be open on Christmas Eve (9am – 5pm).
In the Norwich Lanes, many of the stores will be open later on Thursdays.
The Royal Arcade is holding Late Night Shopping event on Thursday 19 November, 5.30pm – 8.30pm, coinciding with Norwich’s Festive Lights Switch On.
How can I go from day to night in Norwich?
It’s easy to spend a whole day exploring what Norwich has to offer.
Come afternoon and evening, you can stop at one of the city’s many restaurants, eateries, pubs and bars for refreshment and nibbles as you admire the twinkling Christmas lights illuminating our cobbled streets.
Some of our favourites include:
Sir Toby’s Beers on Norwich Market and Bier Draak on King Street for glühwein and an Irish coffee, respectively.
Melville & Sons for cocktails and mouthwatering small plates.
The Red Lion Bishopgate for delcious pub food and a pint next to the River Wensum.
The Maids Head Bar for local beers, wines and spirits in a historic atmosphere.
Jarrolds Wine Bars for a crisp glass of wine or fizz accompanied by a grazing board or sweet or savoury in their buzzing food hall.
