An Easter Break in Norwich and Norfolk
An Easter Break in Norwich and Norfolk
by Katie Thompson
We all love a trip to look forward to, right? So, with a 4-day weekend on the cards, a 3-day, 2-night stay in Norwich will make your Easter break egg-stra special!
Think sun kissed cafes (we’re hopeful!) and eating alfresco, bright blooms, chirping birds and peaceful riverside walks. Throw in an indulgent chocolate treat (it is Easter, after all) and we’re already relaxing!
Or how about a staycation in Norfolk? From coastal escapes to laidback countryside breaks, whether you’re staying with friends, as a couple or travelling solo. (And for families, we’ve got loads on over the school holidays, too!)
Check out our mini-itineraries below for how to spend an Easter break in Norwich and Norfolk!
Easter Things to Do for Families | Easter Family Stays
A Weekend in the City
//Stay: The Assembly House, from £170 per night for 2 adults in April (breakfast included).
//See & Do: Sainsbury Centre; Plantation Garden; Pub & Paddle.
//Eat & Drink: Saporita; Norwich Market; Sir Toby’s Beers; Cafe Gelato.
Stay in the city at The Assembly House surrounded by Georgian glamour and fun furnishings
Day 1 – Afternoon
We may be biased, but Norwich is an ideal break for history lovers, indie shoppers and foodies alike. And during springtime, the city really comes into its own, with wide blue skies and fluttering blossom.
For a boutique B&B at the heart of it all, opt for The Assembly House. Mixing Georgian elegance and sumptuous interiors, each room brings a ray of sunshine to your stay.
And a break at The Assembly House wouldn’t be complete without treating yourself to their incredible three-tiered afternoon tea- the perfect treat awaiting your arrival. This year’s appropriately Norfolk-named ‘Hare Comes Easter’ theme (£32.50pp) features all the usual favourites (you’ll smell the scones before you see them) alongside decadent sweet treats. We can’t wait to try the Berry Bunny Bliss (an Easter Eton Mess shot topped with a biscuit bunny)!
Stop for a moment of peace in Plantation Garden, an oasis in the heart of Norwich
Day 2 – Morning, Afternoon & Evening
On day 2 (after a delicious Assembly House breakfast), start with a bit of culture! Just a short journey on the 25 bus is the Sainsbury Centre, an innovative Norman Foster-designed art museum. Pay what you can to enter, and you’ll discover displays of amazing art spanning thousands of years. While you’re here, check out their unique exhibition series, which tackle questions like ‘How Do We Find Love?’.
Stop for a snack or light lunch in the Sainsbury Centre’s sun-drenched Modern Life Cafe and admire contemporary sculpture as you munch on a moreish ciabatta (then head outdoors to the Sculpture Park to get up close with these breathtaking pieces)!
Taking the bus back into town, disembark on Earlham Road for one of Norwich’s best hidden gems: Plantation Garden (£2). This serene spot is perfect for a picnic. Its trickling Victorian fountain makes a tranquil soundtrack to your afternoon.
Just a short walk from Plantation Garden and across the Grapes Hill footbridge takes you to the tip of the Lanes. Wander these quaint cobbled streets at your leisure, popping into an array of independents along the way. For consciously curated fashion and lifestyle, we suggest Atwin, and you can’t leave without popping into our independent department store Jarrolds!
When you’re feeling peckish, we suggest family-run Italian Saporita for an authentic (and delicious) panzerotti. Followed by a pistachio cannolo or their homemade tiramisu if you’ve got room for dessert! Or, of course, there’s always Norwich Market for an early dinner, where you can choose from delectable dishes like Spanish albondigas and slow-cooked chillies, before ending the evening people watching at Sir Toby’s Beers with a pint of their signature cherry beer.
Take to the water with Pub & Paddle before a well-deserved gelato
Day 3 – Morning
Take the next morning slow. At Pub & Paddle, hire a canoe on the river Wensum through the city centre and back, stopping off for a well-earned drink at one or two local pubs along the route. For a relaxed morning, there are 2- and 3-hour options for you to really enjoy paddling along (2 hours from £15).
You’ll find Pub & Paddle on Elm Hill Quay (quite conveniently) just a 5-minute walk away from Cafe Gelato. If, like us, you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure a scoop (or three!) here is on your agenda. We can’t get enough of the dark chocolate sorbet!
A Countryside Getaway
//Stay: Park Farm Hotel, from £199 per night for 2 adults in April (room only).
//See & Do: Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden; Bishy Barney Boats.
//Eat & Drink: Red Lion Bishopgate.
With a stay at Park Farm, it would be rude not to experience their lovely leisure facilities
Day 1 – Afternoon
Start by checking into Park Farm Hotel. It’s only 7 miles from the city centre (and easily accessible from the A11) and the edge of the Broads National Park but feels secluded thanks to its 200 acres of idyllic countryside. Each of their stylish suites boasts super king size beds, some with walk-in wardrobes, while their Scandinavian-style lodges are perfect for bigger groups. And there’s a dog-friendly cottage if you’re bringing furry friends along!
After the journey here, we suggest booking one of their serene spa treatments and making the most of their fantastic leisure facilities- you’ll thank yourself later. Depending which day you arrive, Park Farm are celebrating Easter with a dedicated afternoon tea (27 March – 10 April, 12.30pm – 4pm, £30)– carrot cake cheesecake and hot cross bun scone included- and an Easter Wreath Workshop (Friday 27 March, 6.30pm, £50).
Admire pops of colour from rhododendrons, azaleas and more at Fairhaven
Day 2 – Morning, Afternoon & Evening
As the only English city situated in a national park, exploring the county’s countryside is a must when you’re visiting Norwich.
Heading east from Park Farm, spend your first day at Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden (a 25-minute drive away) in the heart of the Norfolk Broads (adults from £12.50). This is a peaceful spot with over 4 miles of woodland walkways to explore. At springtime, you’ll be treated to swathes of bluebells, rhododendron and azaleas! Here, you can take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, listening to the whispering leaves and rippling water.
Speaking of water, soak up these blissful surroundings with one of Fairhaven’s boat trips (adults from £7.50). Over 20 or 50 minutes, you can sail alongside gliding swans, up the river Bure and past the ruins of St. Benet’s Abbey. Embrace the refreshing Norfolk air and a slower pace.
After a carefree day out, we suggest an evening meal at Park Farm’s own stylish Seasons Restaurant. When the menu includes seabass fillet, beetroot carpaccio and crispy pork belly- not forgetting the all-important crème brûlée- it would be rude not too!
End your stay with a pub lunch on the fringes of the Broads National Park at the Red Lion
Day 3 – Morning
For a hint of city life without leaving the calmness of nature behind, head to Thorpe St Andrew and hire a motorboat along the river with Bishy Barney Boats (25-minute drive, from £25 for 1 hour for 4 passengers). Make your way into the city, passing under bridges and past local landmarks boats usually don’t have access to, including Bishop Bridge, Cow Tower and St James Mill. Weeping willows trail gracefully and reeds sway in the rippling water around you.
On your way, make note of the Red Lion Bishopgate for a pub lunch before heading home. This riverside pub is popular with locals thanks to its friendly atmosphere and serene location. If the sun’s out, bask in its warmth in the beer garden, quench your thirst and tuck into tasty sharing plates like battered tiger prawns and cheese bon bons with aioli.
A Coastal Escape
//Stay: Holly Lodge Boutique B&B, from £170 per night for 2 adults (breakfast included).
//See & Do: Holkham Hall; Pensthorpe; Cromer Pier.
//Eat & Drink: The Victoria.
Holly Lodge’s is a tranquil stay that makes the perfect base for exploring the Norfolk coast
Day 1 – Afternoon
Norfolk’s breathtaking coastline rivals some of the best in the world. And when you arrive, you can see why.
Make Thursford’s Holly Lodge Boutique B&B your base. Just 8 miles from the coast, their cottage rooms are cosy yet chic, with plush furnishings and set in blooming gardens. Or their Shepherd’s Hut offers a charming escape with wood burner, king size bed and the option of self-catering!
From here, it’s only a half an hour drive (or you can hop on the Coasthopper bus!) to the traditional Victorian seaside town of Cromer. Walk along the shoreline (with a Mr Whippy to accompany you) and see if you can spot the Banksy on the sea wall.
And a visit to Cromer isn’t complete without stepping onto Cromer Pier! Marvel at one of very few end-of-the-pier shows, see if you can count the crabbing buckets and, if the weather’s being typically British, stop for a hot chocolate with all the trimmings and sea views in the pier’s Pavilion Bar.
With beaches, parkland, gardens and a grand Hall, Holkham has so much to explore
Day 2 – Morning, Afternoon & Evening
One of our favourite things to do is a leisurely drive along the coast road- windows down if the weather allows! It’s here you truly get a sense of our amazing coastline with wide open skies overhead as pebbled beaches transform into clay cliffs, thriving marshes, windswept dunes and golden sands.
It’s just 10 miles from Thursford to Holkham heading west, but you can take the scenic route for the views. Or you can travel to nearby Wells-next-the-Sea (a great pitstop if you’re in the mood for traditional fish and chips) and walk through the earthy pines to the vast shores of Holkham beach (you might recognise it from the film Shakespeare in Love).
At Holkham Hall itself, there’s so much to explore (£6 parking). From the beautiful Palladian-style house with its grand interiors to the enchanting walled garden, where fragrant flowers entice you in. If it’s warm enough, we suggest hiring a rowing boat for a peaceful paddle on the lake (furry friends allowed). Or perhaps cycling is more your thing- there’s plenty of sprawling parkland to explore.
Over the Easter weekend, Holkham’s Spring Market returns (3 – 5 April, FREE, £8 parking). It’s a showcase of the best local produce, including Norfolk wine and condiments, handcrafted jewellery and homeware, as well as mouthwatering street food.
We don’t know about you, but after a day filled with sea air, a delicious dinner is just what we need. At Holkham’s The Victoria, you can savour seasonal dishes crafted with local ingredients (including Holkham’s own venison) followed by indulgent desserts or Norfolk cheeses. Yum!
As you traverse Pensthorpe’s winding trails, embrace Norfolk’s native flora and fauna
Day 3 – Morning
For those of us who love exploring native landscapes, we suggest stopping at Pensthorpe nature reserve (6 miles south, adults from £14.95). Embrace the glorious great outdoors, spotting birds (even flamingos), butterflies and other wildlife across their 700-acre site. You can even listen to ethereal plant sounds in their unique Biosonification Garden. While you’re here, why not opt for a leisurely lunch at Pensthorpe’s recently refurbished Courtyard Cafe?
