Christmas Markets
With the festive period well underway, we thought we would share some lovely shopping ideas and fab things to do in North Norfolk in December.
Holkham Hall Food, Drink and Gift Fair
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December 10-4pm
Free entry, Parking £5
The stunning views over the lake and parkland will certainly put you in the festive spirit. Holkham’s Christmas Market is quite simply a shopper’s paradise with an abundance of independent local producers showcasing their seasonal produce and homewares.
You will be spoilt for choice with a huge selection of goodies including cured meats, pies, fresh bread, chutneys, oils and vinegars. For those with a sweet tooth, there will also be a delicious choice of preserves, homemade cakes, puddings, homemade fudge and pastries. You can stock up your drinks cupboard with locally distilled spirits, beer and wine. There will also be lots of lovely ideas for Christmas gifts with plenty of beautiful interiors, homewares, jewellery and artists limited edition prints.
Place to stay
Lily Cottage, Walsingham (Sleeps 4
Hockwold Christmas Fayre! – South Norfolk
Sunday 4th December 10am-3pm
There’s plenty to see and do at the Hockwold Christmas Fayre, with over 150 stalls offering food, drinks, crafts and gifts. Christmas entertainment will be in full flow with Santa’s grotto, children’s entertainment, and real reindeer.
Wymondham’s Wynterfest
Sunday 4th December 12 noon-5pm
Wynterfest is back, spreading community Christmas cheer across the town on Sunday 4th December. Wrap up warm and bring the whole family!
Wymondham will be buzzing with festive activities, live music and entertainment.
The high street will be lined with stalls stocking a selection of Christmassy food and drinks and a variety of other locally produced goods. The fairground rides and games are another fabulous treat for the whole family.
Place to stay
Shopping
Holt Town
The beautiful Georgian town of Holt is stunning at Christmas and the independent shops and establishments shine bright during the festive period creating a wonderful Christmas atmosphere. Here are some of our favourites to help you with your Christmas shopping (or to just treat yourself!).
- Norfolk Natural Living – we absolutely adore all three shops, which run alongside each other on the same street. These include their lifestyle store, stocked full of all things beautiful for your home, the garden shop for your green fingered friends and family and their Perfumery, which is decadent and smells divine.
- Make Holt – set up to showcase our truly inspirational and talented Norfolk creators! Beautiful objects for the home, including pottery, lamps, pictures, rugs, art, candles and much more. This is a must visit shop while in Holt.
- Star Plain Store – A one stop shop for all your deli essentials, fill your larder with their dried pasta, tinned sardines, capers and more. The main event here is a huge choice of cheeses, selected very carefully by the owner. They also have excellent wine.
- Bakers and Larners – The John Lewis of Holt! Practically everything under one roof, this local store offers everything including luxury food, homewares, clothes and beauty products. They offer a hamper service too!
Neptune & Norfolking Around– You’ll find these two stores in Apple Tree Yard, Neptune is great to Christmas tree decorations as well as larger Christmas gifts like hurricanes and table wear. They also supply a great selection of children’s stocking fillers.
Place to stay
No. 27 Bull Street, Holt (Sleeps 6)
Poplar Farm Cottage, Baconsthorpe (Sleeps 4)
Liz’s Lodge, Weybourne (Sleeps 6)
Family Days Out
Visit Norwich
Our fine city is not just excellent for shopping but fun to visit for its stunning architecture and the magnificent Norwich Castle. Soak up the festive atmosphere and visit Norwich in the evening to view the Tunnel of Light, where you walk beneath an impressive 57,000 LED lights with an array of patterns and shimmering colours. Don’t forget to turn around to view the historic and magnificent Norwich Castle above you, which will be illuminated by festive projections. After a stroll through the tunnel and market, why not make a nostalgic night of it and book to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal for some good old fashioned laughs!
Thursford Spectacular
8th November – 23rd December
Famous in North Norfolk and celebrating its 45th year! It is the biggest show of its kind in Europe and with a cast of an impressive 130 performers. You can also enjoy the Enchanted Journey of Light and Santa’s Magical Journey here.
North Norfolk Railway Christmas Express
Not just for the little ones! The steam train experience transports you back to simpler times when a piece of coal and a tangerine were ample stocking fillers! Surrounded by age gone by memorabilia and authentic cabins, the steam train experience is not to be missed. If you don’t have little ones the Norfolk Lights Express may be more up your street.
Sheringham Little Theatre
Snow White 10th-31st December
Christmas Cromer Pier Show
26th November – 30th December
Sheringham is an old-fashioned traditional seaside town with quaint streets and of course the North Norfolk Stream Train, so you can easily visit Sheringham and Cromer in one day. A performance of Snow white at Sheringham Little Theatre or the Cromer Pier Christmas Show will guarantee those laugh-out-load moments.
Place to stay
If you are looking for a luxurious town house to stay, then may we suggest the beautiful No. 27 Bull Street, Holt (Sleeps 6), right in the centre of Holt.
Places to stay
All these lovely cottages have availability in the run up to Christmas!
Lifeboat Cottage, Brancaster (sleeps 4)
Lily Cottage, Walsingham (Sleeps 4)
No. 27 Bull Street, Holt (Sleeps 6)