The Best Festive Afternoon Teas in Norwich

The Best Festive Afternoon Teas in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

After a day of Christmas shopping, exploring Norwich’s twinkling streets or for a pre-panto treat, pause and indulge. Afternoon tea is always a special way to spend your afternoon. We’re a city with flavours of festive flair- from traditional tiers to magical themes.

Whether you’ve a love of brie and cranberry or chocolate orange is the icing on your (Christmas) cake, gather your favourite people. ‘Tis the season to feast, sip and celebrate!

Here are our recommendations for the best festive afternoon teas in Norwich.

Remember to book in advance so you don’t miss out!

Image: The Assembly House

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Norwich

The Assembly House

Where else will you find a fabulously themed afternoon tea if not The Assembly House? Their ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas theme promises to be their most magical of the year! 

Here, you can lose yourself in a tower of delicious treats. From tempting sandwiches, savouries and scones (fruit and cheese) to imaginative cakes and pastries, all handmade in-house, relish Assembly House favourites like their Elf-Sized three cheese toastie alongside unique creations, including a beautifully layered, Oreo-flavoured Night Sky Gateau Opera. There’s also eye-catching patisserie, like the Father Christmas Macaron (with pineapple ganache) and Christmas Eve Mouse- a white chocolate and clementine mousse mouse upon a raspberry ripple cheesecake! Wow! 

The Assembly House’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Afternoon Tea is available from 14 November – early January 2027 for £37.50pp and children £20.95.

Maids Head Hotel

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially English tradition, so sprinkle a little Christmas cheer with the Maids Head’s Festive Afternoon Tea and you’ve got the perfect winter treat!   

The Maids Head’s traditional afternoon tea is bursting with seasonal flavours, from sandwiches to cakes and pastries. When savouries like deep fried brie with cranberry sauce, smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis with caviar, and braised beef cheek croquette are paired with flavours like a chocolate yule log and mini stollen, this menu is undoubtedly an ‘mmm’ moment! And you can enjoy it in front of the roaring fire in the hotel’s cosy lounge or their stylish WinePress Restaurant! 

The Maids Head’s Festive Afternoon Tea is available from 1 – 22 December for £35pp.

The Garden Cafe at The Cathedral of St John the Baptist

 For a lighter option, The Garden Cafe is taking traditional to a new level with their festive cream tea. Indulge with views of The Cathedral of St John the Baptist’s impressive tower and crisp sunlight glinting on the foliage of the secret garden outside. 

Whether for lunch or an afternoon indulgence, there’s something for sweet and savoury lovers!  Think two festive scones- sage, onion and sausage (topped with cream cheese and red onion chutney), accompanied by a mincemeat and marzipan take (served with orange clotted cream and whisky marmalade). Served with a pot of tea or coffee, this is a real treat! 

The Garden Cafe’s Festive Cream Tea is available from 23 November – 18 December for £9.50pp.

Norfolk

Park Farm Hotel

When you’re enjoying Festive Afternoon Tea in Park Farm Hotel’s sumptuously decorated Drawing Room, it’ll be hard not to feel even a little excited for Christmas.   

Here you can celebrate in style with three tiers of delightful sweet and savoury treats that have been given a seasonal transformation. Expect delectable sandwiches (including roast turkey and cranberry sauce) followed by a pork, sage and onion sausage roll, fruit scone and mouthwatering cakes like chocolate orange mousse, gingerbread cheesecake and mince pie tart!

And for even more memories, why not join the Grinch for afternoon tea (29 November & 21 December, 12.30pm, adults £38, children £25)? With treats inspired by the magical world of Whoville, nibbled with this iconic Christmas character, it’ll be hard to say no!

Park Farm’s Festive Afternoon Tea is available daily from 23 November – 3 January 2026 for £35pp.

Goat Shed

The Goat Shed’s Festive Grazer is just that- perfect for taking your time over as you catch up with friends and loved ones. And with produce from their deli, not to mention their eponymous goats- you know each bite is going to be delicious. Indulge in fluffy sandwiches- including turkey and cranberry and mardler and apple chutney, followed by a festive sausage roll (yum!), GOAT mince pies, mini pavolva and cheese & crackers.

What’s more, there’s no need to book. Just turn up, sit down and start grazing!

The Goat Shed’s Festive Grazer is available all day Monday – Saturday throughout November and December at £28.95 for two people.

Barnham Broom

Barnham Broom’s ever-popular afternoon tea has had a merry makeover for the Christmas season!   

Their traditional three-tiered tea will feature all your favourite classics, including soft finger sandwiches, enticing savouries (think sage and onion sausage roll with burnt apple ketchup; whipped Binham blue cheese and fig served on a cheddar and paprika scone, and prawn vol au vont- yum!) and a cranberry and orange scone topped with the appropriate amount of clotted cream and jam. Meanwhile, their scrumptious cakes have added festive flair- we’re sure even Father Christmas would be tempted by a mint chocolate macaron, cherry, canberry and coconut tart, and chocolate roulade with added hazelnut and caramel!   

And it’s only a 25-minute drive from Norwich, so take your time and relax by their log fire while you sip from a range of specially selected loose-leaf teas.  

Barnham Broom’s Festive Afternoon Tea is available 1 – 31 December for £34.95pp.

Dunston Hall

For a festive afternoon tea surrounded by picturesque Norfolk countryside, Dunston Hall has it covered. 

Treat yourself to this indulgent treat with a Christmassy twist. (Ideal post-shopping or spa treatment!) Follow a selection of moreish sandwiches (including roast turkey and brie) with warm fruit scones with lashings of jam and cream. Then it’s all about freshly baked cakes- from chocolate mousse Christmas pudding to a slice of lemon poppyseed, banana and ginger, and, of course, a mince pie with brandy cream. Yum! 

Dunston Hall’s Festive Afternoon Tea is available on 28 November and 5, 12 & 19 December, adults £35pp, children £17.50pp.

The Norfolk Mead

As winter sunlight shimmers across the green grounds of The Norfolk Mead, indulge in their delicious Christmas afternoon tea. The sweet scent of freshly baked scones will assure you’ve made the right decision! Plus, each table is dressed with a festive flourish and twinkling decorations!

Relax in one of their elegant lounges or take a seat in their restaurant. Start with fluffy finger sandwiches (including turkey, bacon and cranberry), followed by warm scones. Then for the main event: a Dubai-inspired brownie (topped with candied pistachios), sticky ginger and date cake with mini gingerbread man, a Cointreau mince pie (with orange banoffee and cinnamon streusel) and a white chocolate pot with prosecco, raspberry gel and shortbread crumb. Wow!

The Norfolk Mead’s Christmas Afternoon Tea is available from 26 November, Monday – Saturday, 1pm – 4pm, for £30pp.