AIBU to make a weekend of Norwich in early December?

[Thisusernameisalwaysavailable]

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.

... To get ideas... Not permission

Do it! And whilst you're at it stay at a cottage called The Brambles in Horning. It is absolutely the cosiest and best stay I've ever had and the hosts are an older couple who are LOVELY. My friends took one of our group there for a girly weekend years ago after she lost her dad and it was easily one of the nicest weekends of my life. Totally, completely and utterly reccomend!

The cathedral is lovely even has a resident cat.

My daughter moved to Norwich a year ago from York. Next time we visit her we are going to one of her favourite places in Norwich..... The Goat Shed...... she absolutely loves it, there is so much to do their. Definitely worth a visit. We are going to their their Pumpkin Festival.
https://goat-shed.co.uk/

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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

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…

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).

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.

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

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)

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?

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

We shall avoid Anglia Square then!