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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to make a weekend of Norwich in early December?

54 replies

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 20:41

What's Norwich like at Christmas? Thinking of taking the small person to ROARR for their birthday at beginning of December,and we're about 2hrs drive away, so wondered if we should make a weekend of it?

They will be 7, and they love a city break, have been to London, Cologne, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin etc and they love it....

We might go in on the train, might drive. Probably drive though.

OP posts:
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ValueofNothing · Yesterday 09:06

Anglia Square has mostly been demolished as of this summer. That other poster who complained that all the shops in Anglia Square were closed: that was why, they were getting ready for demolition.

karrabee · Yesterday 00:33

NotAnotherScarf · 23/09/2026 07:58

Christ knows where we went then, because after the cathedral all we came across was rough looking streets, a shopping centre with no open stores and that was it

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I think you may have turned the wrong way and ended up in Anglia Sq 🤣

cheapskatemum · 25/09/2026 23:59

Anglia Square is being demolished, so definitely no point going there!

VividDeer · 25/09/2026 17:19

We went to the cat cafe, although the felines were a bit antisocial!

Original poster
Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 25/09/2026 17:18

We shall avoid Anglia Square then!

OP posts:
ProfessorofDarkArts · 24/09/2026 17:50

I used to work in Anglia Square as a student 30 years ago and it was rough even then! I think it’s the only less nice bit of the city though.

Mumof1andacat · 24/09/2026 17:46

We loved Cosmic Joe's galactic outpost. Cathedral is lovely. Market has great food options.

Middlemarch123 · 24/09/2026 17:43

Norwich is lovely.
Surrounding Broads villages are easily accessible.
The City is small, quirky and arty.
Lovely local shops, cafes and indoor malls.
Coast thirty minutes or an hour away, I live North Norfolk coast which is beautiful.
Friends and family city based. It’s the best of both worlds.
Castle, Cathedral, Elm Hill, Tombland, within minutes walking.
Do it @Thisusernameisalwaysavailable , it’s lovely.

DancingonmyOwn88 · 24/09/2026 17:42

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 24/09/2026 14:39

We booked Premier Inn in the centre - 3 nights Fri-Mon, the weekend before christmas for £200 for a family room - doesn't seem madly expensive?

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That’s a good price for three nights that side of Christmas over a weekend.

DancingonmyOwn88 · 24/09/2026 17:41

S89 · 24/09/2026 17:36

Agree with all of this. We got a right deal on the maids Head recently. The B&B rooms at the Rosebery Pub are also really nice.

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I got married there- I love it! The price has risen a fair bit since the refurb but it’s beautiful and there are still great deals to be had occasionally!

LlynTegid · 24/09/2026 17:41

Plantation garden next to St John's Cathedral is worth a visit.

You should check if Norwich City are playing at home as that may influence what to do on Saturday afternoons.

S89 · 24/09/2026 17:36

DancingonmyOwn88 · 23/09/2026 22:07

The Premier inn Duke st is the newer one and it’s pretty decent. Playhouse bar nearby is quirky and lovely, all lit up out the back by the river in winter. Red lion pub (minutes from cathedral) has roaring fire pits and hot chocolate outside in winter and even sauna cabins.

Maids head is the best hotel but pricey now. There are also some great Airbnb options around though.

Agree with all of this. We got a right deal on the maids Head recently. The B&B rooms at the Rosebery Pub are also really nice.

Original poster
Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 24/09/2026 14:39

WaltWitmanItIs · 23/09/2026 08:18

Hotels in Norwich are a nightmare. Overpriced and terrible. I swear hotel refurb is banned in Norwich, there is no other explanation for why they are so universally awful! Other than that it is lovely.

We booked Premier Inn in the centre - 3 nights Fri-Mon, the weekend before christmas for £200 for a family room - doesn't seem madly expensive?

OP posts:
DancingonmyOwn88 · 24/09/2026 11:11

S89 · 24/09/2026 08:29

Never found this the case at all, there's loads of good hotel and accommodation options in Norwich!

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Agree! Refurbs take time and are probably restricted in listed buildings (good!) but there are loads of good options. It’s an old city, you don’t go expecting sleek and modern aparthotels.

(there are some ropey ones around the station area but I don’t think they’re aimed at tourists)

S89 · 24/09/2026 08:29

WaltWitmanItIs · 23/09/2026 08:18

Hotels in Norwich are a nightmare. Overpriced and terrible. I swear hotel refurb is banned in Norwich, there is no other explanation for why they are so universally awful! Other than that it is lovely.

Never found this the case at all, there's loads of good hotel and accommodation options in Norwich!

DancingonmyOwn88 · 23/09/2026 22:07

The Premier inn Duke st is the newer one and it’s pretty decent. Playhouse bar nearby is quirky and lovely, all lit up out the back by the river in winter. Red lion pub (minutes from cathedral) has roaring fire pits and hot chocolate outside in winter and even sauna cabins.

Maids head is the best hotel but pricey now. There are also some great Airbnb options around though.

HRHCurmudgeon · 23/09/2026 22:00

A Fine City!

All the things everyone else has said, and also The Sainsburys Centre if you like art. A truly amazing collection of artefacts and art from 1000’s of years ago up to piece created last year. A small and perfectly formed gallery at the UEA.

I’d also recommend the area around Colgate for great vintage clothes and antique shops (and pubs and restaurants).

TheMasterplan23 · 23/09/2026 21:58

My favourite city OP! Go, you’ll love it!

We tend to stay at Dunston Hall (not right in the centre but close enough)

We don’t have young DC anymore so usually spend our time shopping and drinking…

QuizzlyBears · 23/09/2026 21:52

Norwich is beautiful! Especially at Christmas. It’s very walkable with lots of lovely independent food places.

JasmineTea11 · 23/09/2026 21:48

Last time I went there with DC, we went to one of those huge indoor trampoline places, in the city centre. Good idea for burning off energy if a bit rainy.
Norwich is lovely. Real character, not pretentious.

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 21:16

Im taking notes as well OP, all this sounds great, I love an old city.

Newusername2026 · 23/09/2026 21:16

If you and your child like museums then Norwich Museum is great. Also the castle. Outside of Norwich Gressenhall Farm makes a good day out.

likelysuspect · 23/09/2026 21:15

Grumpyoldcat · 23/09/2026 20:30

Why are you asking. Do what you want

Thats the spirit. Do come back to the chat forum any time. Your contributions are most welcome.

Rituelec · 23/09/2026 21:10

Norwich is lovely at Christmas!

Take a lil look inside st Julian church whole there. Few mins walk from castle

Eldest at UEA so I love a Norwich trip!

EppingIsFun · 23/09/2026 21:09

Another vote for Norwich. We're thinking of doing similar ourselves. Haven't been for a few years but I love it there.

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