As winter settles over Norfolk, there’s something especially comforting about the ritual of afternoon tea. At this time of year, it takes on a festive charm, with twinkling decorations, spiced bakes and seasonal flavours turning an everyday treat into a special holiday outing.
It’s the perfect way to slow down during the busy season and enjoy some time with loved ones. Whether you’re catching up with friends or treating the family, a Christmas-themed afternoon tea is a chance to make lovely memories over pots of tea and beautifully presented goodies.
In this post, we’re sharing some of the best festive afternoon teas across Norfolk, where every bite is filled with a little Christmas magic.
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Festive Christmas Afternoon Teas in Norfolk
A Christmas-themed afternoon tea is a fun twist on the traditional experience. Expect a menu full of festive treats like gingerbread biscuits and classic Christmas flavours, often served with a seasonal tipple or a cosy spiced brew. It’s a lovely way to get into the Christmas spirit while indulging in something a bit special.
Assembly House
Each winter, The Assembly House presents The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, inspired by the Nutcracker ballet. The tea is divided into four “acts” on an afternoon tea stand, featuring finger sandwiches, savoury items, warm scones, and a delightful selection of cakes.
It can be enjoyed in various settings, including their elegant dining rooms, igloos in their front garden, ordered as a Cakeaway takeaway, or as part of a private dining package. The menu is adaptable for dietary preferences.
They also have a festive version of their Beforenoon tea for the holiday season.
Find out more here.
Byfords
Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in Holt at Byfords with their enchanting Festivi-TEA. Byfords Cafe is set to become a winter wonderland with festive afternoon tea perfect for gatherings with friends and family.
Tuck into a tasty spread of finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a tempting selection of festive cakes, all served with a pot of tea or coffee. It’s a cosy, feel-good way to soak up the holiday spirit and enjoy a bit of seasonal magic.
Read our review of the Christmas afternoon tea at Byfords.
Wroxham Barns
Soak up the festive atmosphere at Wroxham Barns with their budget-friendly festive afternoon tea, served in the cosy Courtyard Café. It’s a lovely way to get into the Christmas spirit, with a menu that’s sure to leave you feeling merry.
You’ll be treated to a delicious selection of sandwiches, homemade scones, and Christmas-themed cakes, all lovingly prepared by the talented Mrs Claus. There are options for adults and children, with standard, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menus available, so everyone can join in the fun.
Booking ahead is a must, and you can secure your spot online with a small deposit.
Find out more here.
Holt Garden Centre
Celebrate the season with a Festive Afternoon Tea at Holt Garden Centre, available Monday to Saturday. The menu is packed with seasonal favourites like turkey and cranberry finger rolls, sausage pinwheels, brie and sage bon bons, mini mince pies, Christmas tree cupcakes, scones and more. You can even add a glass of prosecco for an extra treat.
The café looks out over the gardens, with the occasional steam train chugging past to add a bit of magic to the view. If you have any dietary needs, just get in touch with the team ahead of time and they’ll do their best to help. Be sure to book at least 24 hours in advance to avoid missing out.
Find out more here.
Pensthorpe
Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas Afternoon Tea at Pensthorpe’s lovely Courtyard Café, running throughout November and December. You’ll enjoy unlimited refills of hot drinks alongside a delicious mix of savoury and sweet seasonal treats.
There are options for adults and children, plus gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian menus. Highlights include finger sandwiches, a festive sausage roll, a slice of yule log, and a clementine scone with jam and cream.
Spaces are limited, so it’s worth booking ahead online with a small deposit to secure your spot.
Find out more here.
Royal Norwich
Treat yourself to a Festive Afternoon Tea at Royal Norwich, set against the beautiful backdrop of their 400-year-old parkland estate. It’s available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout November and December, with weekday bookings possible for groups of eight or more.
The menu is a real celebration of local flavours, featuring sandwiches like smoked salmon and avocado, roast turkey with cranberry, and egg mayo with watercress. You’ll also enjoy savoury bites like a sausage roll, cheese and mustard scone, and a black pudding scotch egg. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s plenty to love like mini mince pies, Victoria sponge, chocolate yule logs, fruit scones and gingerbread biscuits.
Find out more here.
Hotel Wroxham
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea at Hotel Wroxham, where seasonal treats are served with views of the River Bure. Their talented chefs have put together a tempting mix of sweet and savoury delights, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.
Everything is made in-house using fresh, local ingredients, so you can expect a delicious taste of the season in every bite. Gift vouchers are also available, making it easy to share the experience with someone special.
Find out more here.
Britons Arms
Experience the magic of the season with a Christmas-themed afternoon tea at the Britons Arms. This festive spread features a mouth-watering mix of sandwiches like turkey and stuffing, brie and cranberry, honey-glazed ham with wholegrain mustard, and salmon with cream cheese.
You’ll also be treated to seasonal delights including a pigs-in-blanket sausage roll, cranberry and candied peel scone, traditional Christmas cake and pudding, mince pie, blackcurrant, tangerine and vanilla trifle, and a rich spiced chocolate truffle. Served with your choice of tea or coffee, it’s a wonderfully cosy way to celebrate the season. If you fancy something extra special, there’s also the option to add a glass of mulled wine or local fizz.
Find out more here.
Heydon Village Tea Shop
The Christmas afternoon tea at Heydon Village Tea Shop is a real festive treat, complete with unlimited tea or Americano coffee. The savoury line-up includes finger sandwiches, a turkey and stuffing pinwheel, a mini cheese scone with cream cheese and homemade red pepper and tomato relish, and even a little shot of roasted parsnip soup topped with a crispy parsnip.
Those with a sweet tooth will love the fruit cake topped with marzipan holly, mince pie bakewell, Baileys melting moment, a gingerbread man, satsuma and amaretti cake, After Eight brownie, and a Snowball cheesecake. You’ll finish off with your choice of scone, served with preserve and clotted cream. And if you fancy raising a glass, you can add Prosecco or wine to your booking.
Find out more here.
Old Rock Shop Bistro
The Christmas afternoon tea is back at the Old Rock Shop Bistro in Cromer. The festive offering includes classic Christmas finger sandwiches, freshly baked apple and cinnamon scones, seasonal sausage rolls, and a tempting mix of sweet and savoury treats topped off with a decadent Baileys chocolate and Malteser cheesecake.
You can pair your festive feast with a drink from their new range of Norfolk loose leaf teas, freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate, soft drinks or mulled wine. For an extra touch of cheer, there’s also the option to add a miniature bottle of festive fizz. Reserve your spot now with a small deposit.
Find out more here.
Biddy’s Tearoom
Biddy’s, a charming Victorian-inspired tea house, offers a relaxed setting for guests to enjoy a variety of teas and homemade cakes. Their afternoon teas are unique because they allow guests to customise their tiers.
With locations in Norwich city centre and Aylsham, their festive teas include a welcome drink of home-spiced mulled apple, featuring items like a chicken stuffing and cranberry sandwich, cheddar Christmas chutney and grapes sandwich, orange and spice fruit scone, and stolen shortbread.
Find out more here.
Bure Valley Railway
A Festive Afternoon Tea at Bure Valley Railway is a lovely way to enjoy some quality time with friends, family, or even a group outing. Served on weekdays at the Whistlestop Café at Aylsham Station, this seasonal treat is presented on a classic three-tier stand.
You’ll be treated to a spread of sandwiches, savoury sausage rolls, fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, and a tempting selection of sweet bakes, all served with your choice of tea or coffee. Make sure to book ahead to secure your spot.
Find out more here.
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