We've found the best places to eat and be merry with family this December 25th across Norfolk.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but there is also a lot of pressure to make it perfect. Getting that turkey moist, the Yorkshire puddings risen, and all the vegetable cooked at the same time can be a huge strain whilst you're also trying to spend time with family.
But fear not... there is an alternative. Many have already chosen to swap the saucepans for serviettes and enjoy dinner at a hotel, restaurant, or pub this Christmas Day. It means you can relax and make memories with loved ones without having to dash off to put the sprouts on.
In no particular order, here are seven delightful places to go this Christmas for dinner, where the food is plentiful and the drinks flow, but there's no washing up after desert is finished.
The Ship Hotel, Brancaster
Price: £100pp
Menu: Four courses plus champagne and canapes to start
Enjoy Christmas on the coast at our first location: a boutique hotel and restaurant that cannot wait to make your holiday magical. They also offer a Christmas package if you would like to stay overnight with a range of offers and rooms.
The Maid's Head Hotel, Norwich
Price: £98pp, under 12s £49, under 2s eat free
Menu: Four courses plus hot drinks and mince pies to finish
This popular hotel in the heart of Tombland will be delighted to make your Christmas extra special this year. Sit back and relax with friends and family under the glittering chandeliers of their Minstrel Suite and enjoy delicious food, fine wine, and excellent company
The Pigs, Edgefield
Price: £90pp, children £35
Menu: Four courses plus a complimentary drink
You'll start with a sharing board full of amazing local produce, before moving on to one of four mains (including vegetarian options). The Pigs has been filling bellies since 2006 and is renowned for not only their food, but their spa too. Think about making this Christmas even more memorable by staying over with one of their many packages.
Broom Hall Country Hotel, Watton
Price: £69.95pp
Menu: Four courses
This stunning Victorian country house is now a three star hotel that offers peace and tranquillity to all who visit. Dinner offers the choice of a traditional roast or salmon, duck, and vegetarian alternatives to suit the whole family.
Byfords, Holt
Price: £82.50pp, under 12s £2.50
Menu: Four courses
Enter the "higgledy-piggledy world of Byfords" right in the centre of beautiful Holt this Christmas. The boutique bed and breakfast is also a café and takeaway the rest of the year. Not only happy doing Christmas lunch, you can also book in for breakfast instead with a glass of fizz as you're seated.
Dunston Hall, Dunston nr Norwich
Price: £85pp, under 12s £49, under 4s eat free
Menu: Four courses with a drink on arrival
Sit back and relax with your family this Christmas and let the team at Dunston Hall take care of everything. The menu looks truly mouth-watering with a dedicated menu for the younger celebrators. Santa himself will also be visiting for those well-behaved children who eat all their sprouts.
Assembly House, Norwich
Price: TBC
Menu: Four courses with a glass of champagne and canapes
Last but by no means least, we have a delightful location in the heart of Norwich. Enjoy fine dining in their gorgeous Georgian-style dining rooms where all you stresses can float away. Before the 25th, you can also book dinner in one of their chic glass igloos for a special treat with friends.
