Norwich has some of the best local gifts and experiences for even the naughtiest among us says Melanie Cook of www.VisitNorwich.co.uk
Norwich is a city with an independent spirit. Where, as it gets dark, you’ll find glowing Christmas lights and inviting shop windows. Weird and wonderful displays of bracelets and books and boxes of jelly slugs.
This December, stop by Norwich Market for Glühwein and empanadas; or battered turkey sausages with stuffing balls in an ancient undercroft at a fish bar. Get in the mood with candy-cane nails and a winter cocktail. Or enjoy a Beforenoon tea, in an igloo, with a Georgian ballroom for a view.
There’s something gloriously traditionally different about Norwich. Read on to discover some unique Christmas gift ideas from places you may not have shopped before, and some festive things to do to celebrate the season. You may well earn yourself the praise of “most thoughtful gift… ever.”
Great Gift Ideas:
Tickets for a Cheryl Cade: Walking Tour of Norwich
Prices start at £26 for a cheese tour but there are other themes including gin, and beer and cheese. Cheryl even has a monthly Belgian Beer School! cherylcade.com
Jelly Slugs at No. 19 Shop & Studio
This is a gorgeous shop for lovers of print and design. And whilst their boxes of jelly slugs are one of their best-selling products there is also multitude of delightful gifts, posters, small print books and paper products to tempt you. printerjohnson.com/no19norwich
Panto at Norwich Theatre Royal
Give the gift of laughter with tickets for Norwich’s annual ‘bring the house down’ panto, which is on until 7 January. norwichtheatre.org
A bottle of Chet Valley wine – one of our local vineyards
Norfolk produces beautiful wine and Chet Valley, located near Loddon, is no exception. Purchase individual bottles or one of their packaged Christmas gifts from the vineyard direct (it’s a great visit). chetvineyard.co.uk
Norfolk produce hampers
A thoughtful hamper – of any size – always goes down well, so take a look around some of our wonderful stores who love to sell local! Find hampers or build your own at St Giles Pantry (Upper St Giles, Norwich), Jarrolds and The Goat Shed (Honingham).
An annual subscription to Plantation Garden
Support a local charity whilst enjoying entry to the garden all year round because they are open 365 days! Individual membership is £7.50 and joint membership (including children under 16) is £12. plantationgarden.co.uk
Experiences at:
The English Distillery
There are now six different experiences to enjoy at Norfolk’s award-winning English whisky distillery. Prices range from £22.50 for an original tour and tasting to £100, where you create your own whisky. englishwhisky.co.uk
Art books
For the best selection of art books for miles around, head to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. This is a shop with art and design lovers in mind. And whilst there, take a moment to have a look around the collection (entrance is free) and stop for a coffee or bite to eat. sainsburycentre.ac.uk
Norwich Works: The Industrial Photography of Walter & Rita Nurnberg
For anyone who had family working in three of Norwich’s manufacturing institutions post war, then this exhibition is for them. Featuring over 130 original photographic prints, this a rare collection and behind the scenes peak into factory life at Boulton and Paul, Mackintosh-Caley and Edwards & Holmes. Tickets would make a great Christmas present. Open until 14 April 24.
Jewellery and Watches
Dipples in the Norwich Lanes has been a family business for five generations and has been in Norwich since 1894. So, they know what they’re talking about! dipples.com
A gift voucher for Slice and Dice (board game café)
All ages are welcome at Slice and Dice where there are over 300 board games to choose from their extensive library. This is a great gift for a family. sliceanddice.cafe
The Mega Six
Treat someone to a six pack of beers each month carefully selected from Sir Toby’s Beers. The cost is £34.99 a month but the value is between £38-40. Includes free delivery in Norwich or Norfolk. sirtobysbeers.co.uk
A teddy bear from The Bear Shop
Whether you are buying a bear to hug or a bear to add to someone’s collection, you’ll find it here on Norwich’s most complete medieval street. Stop for a coffee at The Britons Arms and put your feet up for a bit! bearshops.co.uk
Beauty treatments & Candy Cane nails
Hands up who knew Jarrolds offers beauty treatments? From £30 they have a range of wonderful treatments to relax and spoil you. From Indian Head massages and reflexology, to manicures and pedicures. jarrolds.co.uk
Things to do
Gluhwein & Empanadas
Catch up with a friend at Sir Toby’s Beers on Norwich Market for one of the best Glühweins outside of Germany (in my opinion). Follow with an empanada from Cocina Mia (as eaten by Ainsley Harriett and Grace Dent).
Carols in the Cloister at Norwich Cathedral
Born out of Covid-restrictions, this outdoor service has become so popular it’s now an annual favourite. Free to attend, it takes place 4pm, 16 December. Pop into the Ribs of Beef for a drink after the service to warm yourself up!
Jarrolds Food Hall (late nights)
Each Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the run up to Christmas, stay in Norwich a bit longer for some food hall shopping, followed by bite to eat and winter cocktails, such as Jarrolds Peppermint White Russian.
Christmas Markets
On Saturday 9 December, visit two markets whilst on a day out in Norwich. The first is the St Nick’s Christmas Craft Fair at The Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Followed by Clutter City Winter Market at Norwich Arts Centre.
Sing-A-Long-A Muppet Christmas Carol
For two nights only 19 – 20 December at Norwich Arts Centre. Tickets cost £13 – sing your festive heart out!
Jack and the Beanstalk
Norwich Puppet Theatre, 9 – 31 December. Take the family to see a panto that is anything but traditional. Where all the cast are puppets!
Santa’s Grotto for Dogs
This annual event at The Forum remains as popular as ever. Come along with your pooch on Sunday, 10 December between 11 – 3 (free).
Christmas dinner at The Grosvenor Fish Bar
It’s the Christmas dinner to end all Christmas dinners – turkey sausages, stuffing balls and gravy! Eat in their atmospheric medieval undercroft and dine like a king.
Live Jazz on Sundays
How about a bit of Christmas shopping in the Royal Arcade followed by a relaxing afternoon with a glass of something sparkling and jazz at Yalm.
Tropical sounds to bring in the New Year!
Norwich Arts Centre has a reputation of doing things differently. Returning for a second New Year’s party Projection One Collective NYE Takeover will have you dancing the night away to Afrobeat, Funk, Latin, Global Grooves and more. Tickets from £20.
I believe there is nowhere else in England that can do a traditionally different Christmas quite like Norwich. With a thousand years of history, award-winning restaurants, cultural venues, galleries and pubs, independent theatres, a diverse choice of shopping and one of the smallest bars in England – within walking distance of each other. Surely that’s hard to beat.
Don’t Miss!
Live seasonal shows at Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich Playhouse, The Garage, Norwich Puppet Theare and Thursford.
Shopping for all your favourite big brand names under one roof at Castle Quarter, Chantry Place and John Lewis. And they are beautifully decorated too!
Wonderful food, drink and atmosphere at Farmyard, Benedicts, The Ivy, Makers House, Gyre & Gimble (bar), The Cosy Club and Namaste Village. To suit all pockets.
This December why not consider travelling by train or bus into Norwich? Or if you need to drive, using one of the five Park & Ride sites? Not only will this help your carbon footprint it will make travel easier.
Full details of everything mentioned here and loads more ideas can be found at www.visitnorwich.co.uk
