Thinking of making a getaway this season? We’ve a few ideas for you
Festive in Fritton
The Fritton Arms is a cosy Norfolk pub with boutique bedrooms and a restaurant serving delicious dishes using local and estate produce. Set on the banks of Fritton Lake, on the prestigious Somerleyton Estate, it has wonderful walks and cycle rides on the doorstep or you can just relax in front of the fire, eat, drink and be merry.
Dinner and breakfast offers during December from £130 per room based on two people sharing a room. Christmas breaks with dinner, bed and breakfast from £525 per couple. frittonarms.co.uk
Great for winter weddings
The Boathouse, Ormesby, is a country pub – the old Eels Foot - and wedding venue set in 11 acres of parkland next to Ormesby Broad. Newly-weds can treat themselves to the wedding lodge while there are two brand new woodland lodges and six contemporary rooms available for short breaks and holidays. With the delightful Boathouse restaurant and bar on the doorstep you won’t need to travel far…
Prices from £90 per room. theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk 01493 730342
Grand for traditional Christmas
Why not let someone else take the strain for an unforgettable Christmas? You can enjoy the elegant surroundings of Hintlesham Hall on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, staying in one of the hall’s magnificent rooms and joining in the celebrations while not having to worry about the washing up or peeling the sprouts! And you can even stay on and see in the New Year if you don’t want the fun to end.
Christmas break prices from £695 per person. hintleshamhall.co.uk 01473 652334
Merry Twixmas!
All the ingredients of the best of traditional Christmases, from mulled wine, home-made mince pies, games by the fire, lunches and dinners, to coastal walks and hearty breakfasts, are on offer at The Chequers Inn in Thornham, together with plenty of north Norfolk sea air. Or take a Twixmas break to recover from the festivities and prepare for the New Year.
Christmas break prices from £855 per couple. chequersinnthornham.co.uk 01485 512229
Georgian splendour
You can hang your stockings up in one of the eight elegant Georgian grand tour themed bedrooms at The Dial House in Reepham throughout December and you’ll receive a freshly made cream tea by the open fires to warm your soul. The Christmas party menu runs throughout the whole of December with three private dining spaces also available; stay on for New Year to enjoy a special seven course menu.
Prices start at £175 per room. thedialhouse.org.uk 01603 879900
To the manor born
Titchwell Manor is already a firm favourite with readers looking for boutique style on the north Norfolk coast and it offers a delightful festive escape with a three-day Christmas break. Highlights include a Christmas Eve cocktail party, Christmas lunch by chef/owner Eric Snaith and head chef Chris Mann, an evening wine-tasting and on Boxing Day you can sample the Conversation menu. You’ll probably be glad of a long walk or two afterwards!
Prices from £650. titchwellmanor.com 01485 210221
Perfect for Christmas parties
The Swan at Loddon is offering a special room rate for those looking to avoid that sober drive home (or expensive taxi ride) after your office party. And if you’re looking for a full-on Christmas lunch on the big day how about the Swan’s eight-course special? You’ll be able to relax by an open fire while the experts in the kitchen do their thing and give you a Christmas to remember.
Room offer from £85. theloddonswan.co.uk 01508 528039
A real tonic
The stylish Gin Trap Inn at Ringstead has a cracking choice of rooms for those looking for an autumn/winter getaway, with six bedrooms, two suites and The Brewhouse. Christmas is already booked up, but we like the look of the Gin Experience stay; two nights in a luxury room with a dinner and breakfast, plus a bottle of house gin.
Gin Experience from £299. thegintrapinn.co.uk 01485 525264
City escapes
One of the most popular choices for a winter city break is the St Giles Hotel in the heart of Norwich. If you’re looking for a getaway to do a little shopping, take in some exhibitions and the theatre, this stylish hotel makes a great base. And if you feel like you’ve earned a special Christmas treat, you can indulge with a six-course meal on the big day.
Rooms from £150, Christmas Day lunch £80. stgileshousehotel.co.uk 01603 275180
Decadent days
There is something quite decadent about the idea of snuggling down in a four-poster bed and you can do just that after a delightful festive meal at Stower Grange in Drayton. This country house hotel, set in beautiful grounds has all the facilities you’d expect – and the Christmas menus look delicious! Stower Grange is also a wedding venue.
Rooms from £90, Christmas Day lunch £100. stowergrange.co.uk 01603 860210
Snuggle up this autumn
Sometimes you just need a bigger place to accommodate everyone – so how about a pretty and spacious cottage sleeping eight close to Brancaster beach and Burnham Market? Well-equipped with a games room and dog friendly too, it’s the perfect place for the whole family or groups of friends to gather to celebrate. Norfolk Hideaways has over 400 delightful homes to
choose from.
Prices from £760. norfolkhideaways.co.uk 01328 801401
Indulge yourself
The Assembly House, the picture-postcard perfect Georgian hotel and restaurant in Norwich, is offering what it bills as the ‘ultimate indulgent break’ this Christmas. With a Champagne festive afternoon tea, Christmas Day lunch and a two-night stay in one of their handsome rooms we think they may well be right. And with the Theatre Royal a few steps away you can even take in the panto!
Prices from £725 for two. Christmas Day lunch £94.95. assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk 01603 626402
Escape to the country
Norfolk Cottages has more than 500 gorgeous holiday properties you can escape to this Christmas and New Year. You can choose to snuggle up in a cosy cottage for two or get everyone together in a grand barn conversion for 16. With so many excellent pubs and restaurants serving menus rich in local produce and the opportunity to lose yourself on empty beaches and in rural havens, what’s stopping you?
Prices from £17 per person per night. norfolkcottages.co.uk 01263 715779
Barefoot necessities
You can treat yourselves this Christmas and enjoy the festive season in north Norfolk in one of Barefoot Retreats’ luxury self-catering cottages. From idyllic boltholes for two to fabulously large houses for all the family, many of the stunning properties welcome the dog too! All the houses are decorated for the festive season and your retreat comes complete with a complimentary Christmas hamper packed with festive treats, fluffy robes and slippers, luxury crisp linens and L’Occitane toiletries!
Prices from £215 per person. barefootretreats.co.uk 01485 512245
Feeling adventurous?
It’s a bit left-field, but if you’re feeling bold you could book yourself a very cool winter break with a trip to Iceland, flying from Norwich Airport. Visit the north of the island for four nights at a luxury hotel (you could be watching the Northern Lights from your hot tub!) and take in many of the finer things this must-see destination has to offer.
Breaks from £749 per person. superbreak.com 0800 042 0288
