Norwich & Norfolk at Christmas

Your holiday begins today in Norwich, where we meet the Tour Manager at our hotel, enjoying a glass of mulled wine upon arrival. After checking in, you're free to settle in or begin exploring this historic city.

Local Christmas markets, light displays, and beautifully decorated centuries-old buildings set the scene for this festive getaway. With a medieval centre, Norwich is dominated by its 900-year-old castle and spectacular cathedral.

• Dinner

We have a guided tour of Norwich this morning, uncovering a place steeped in history, filled with medieval buildings and characterful crooked houses. This afternoon, you're free to continue exploring.

With more Tudor buildings than London, this city has much to recommend it. Along with its magnificent Anglo-Norman cathedral built in 1096, Norwich is a pleasing jumble of historic and modern architecture. Its shopping streets and open squares reveal museums, medieval churches, public gardens and other attractions seemingly at every turn.

At Christmas time, the city takes on an even more magical quality, with pretty fairy lights and festive decorations brightening up the streets. This evening, we regroup at the hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Merry Christmas! Enjoy plenty of time today to relax and enjoy the festivities. This afternoon we sit down to a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, followed by time to spend as you please in the city of Norwich.

You could enjoy a walk along the River Wensum past medieval landmarks and historic bridges and wander the ancient streets around the city's castle. This evening, we enjoy a Christmas buffet served at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On Boxing Day, we travel to the coast to explore the Cley Marshes wildlife reserve. This is one of the best birdwatching locations in the UK and we learn more about the wildlife of the reserve during an informative film with refreshments. While here, look out for seasonal visitors such as the distinctive pink-footed goose and the snow bunting.

This afternoon we travel to the Norfolk Broads village of South Walsham to visit Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. Set across 130 acres of cultivated gardens, woodland, and water gardens, this haven is dappled with seasonal blooms and is a great place for some more birdwatching.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a journey on a narrow-gauge railway from the Broads town of Wroxham. The Bure Valley Railway follows the meandering Bure river through gentle countryside before reaching the market town of Aylsham.

From Aylsham, we travel by coach to nearby Cromer for lunch at a fish and chip restaurant. After lunch, there is free time in this vintage seaside town, Renowned for its crabbing industry and Grade II-listed Victorian pier that stretches nearly 500 feet out to sea.

Later this afternoon, we embark on a round trip aboard the Norfolk Lights Express from the seaside resort of Sheringham. Along a route dubbed the Poppy Line, we pass lit-up displays on the lineside and in the woods along the track while enjoying refreshments and festive treats. Our journey breaks at Holt before we return. Back at the hotel, we celebrate our final night together with a buffet and drinks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, your festive tour of Norwich and the county of Norfolk comes to an end. Leaving Norwich, you can recall the Broadland and seasonal scenery that rolled past our windows onboard heritage railways, along with the festive memories created on Christmas Day and the impressive sights of Norfolk.

• Breakfast