by Katie Thompson
After a day of Christmas shopping, exploring Norwich’s twinkling streets or for a pre-panto treat, afternoon tea is always a special way to spend your afternoon. We’re a city that’s stuffed full, but never stuffy, with flavours of festive flair- from traditional tiers to magical themes. (Not to mention, the first-ever Christmas Dinner Afternoon Tea! Probably.)
Whether you’ve a love of brie and cranberry or chocolate orange is the icing on your (Christmas) cake, here are our recommendations for the best festive afternoon teas in Norwich. Remember to book in advance so you don’t miss out!
Visit The Assembly House for a fabulously festive Nutcracker-themed afternoon tea!
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 festive yet!
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!
And if savoury is more your style, how about The Assembly House’s brand-new Christmas Dinner Afternoon Tea? This is turkey with all the trimmings, stacked on a three-tier stand! For four dates only, tuck into layers of mouthwatering bites, from stuffing bon bons to smoked salmon blinis. Keep room for the Quality Street layer, with a take on ‘The Purple One’ ending your tea on a high.
The Assembly House’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Afternoon Tea is available from 9 November – 4 January 2026 for £32.50pp and children £18.95. The Christmas Dinner Afternoon Tea is available on 6, 7, 20 & 26 December for £44.95pp and children £29.95.
The Maids Head’s festive afternoon tea is the perfect winter treat!
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 duck and orange parfait and a mini beef wellington are paired with flavours like a blackberry caterpillar tart and meringue and lemon shortbread, 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 Drawing Room at Park Farm Hotel is the perfect place for a festive afternoon tea!
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 scones and mouthwatering cakes like clementine posset and a chocolate orange reindeer macaron!
And for one day only, why not join the Grinch for afternoon tea (Sunday 14 December, 12.30pm, adults £7, 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 24 November – 4 January 2026 from £33pp.
The Goat Shed’s Festive Grazer is ideal for a leisurely lunch, festive catch-up or pre-Christmas treat!
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 their award-winning goats cheese and sticky pickle, followed by a brie and cranberry sausage roll (yum!), cranberry and orange scones, chocolate and cheery brownies and orange Viennese mince pies (we can confirm these are as good as they sound!).
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.
Tuck into Pensthorpe’s delicious afternoon tea in their refurbished cafe!
Piled high with freshly made goodies, Pensthorpe’s Festive Afternoon Tea is both affordable and delicious! Available at 2pm and 3pm, expect a moreish choice of sandwiches (including traditional turkey and cranberry, of course), homemade scones dusted with icing and delightful sweet treats which tempt you with an essence of seasonal clementine and indulgent chocolate.
And you’ll enjoy these tasty tiers in their newly refurbished courtyard cafe, where towering windows offer expansive views that make you feel immersed in the incredible reserve beyond.
Pensthorpe’s Festive Afternoon Tea is available from 24 November – 23 December for £17.95 and children £13.50.
Barnham Broom’s afternoon tea has had a merry makeover!
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 (we’ve got our eye on the brie and cranberry turnover) and homemade scones topped with the appropriate amount of clotted cream and jam. For savoury lovers, there’s also a cheddar, sage and onion edition- ooh! Meanwhile, their scrumptious cakes have added festive flair- we’re sure even Father Christmas would be tempted by a chocolate orange cake pop and peppermint layer cake!
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 from 22 November for £32.95pp.
Enjoy a delicious festive afternoon tea experience with views of Dunston Hall’s magnificent grounds
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. Follow a selection of moreish sandwiches (including roast turkey and brie & cranberry) with warm scones with lashings of jam and cream. Then it’s all about freshly baked cakes- from chocolate mousse Christmas pudding to a slice of carrot and orange, and, of course, a mince pie with brand cream. Yum!
Dunston Hall’s Festive Afternoon Tea is available on 22 & 29 November and 6, 13 & 20 December, from £36pp and children £16.
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 27 November – 4 January for £26.50pp.
