The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is the biggest and most exciting Christmas show of all time in Britain. Come and experience the popular blend of Christmas entertainment, with dazzling dancers, beautiful costumes, Christmas songs, carols, including outstanding music and singing from our cast of over one hundred. Each show is a pageant of spectacle and colour – the music a seamless transition from an up-beat dance routine to a choral rendition of a Christmas carol, a show which would not be out of place in any of London’s West End theatres. Every year we take a great number of groups to see this fantastic show during November and December, staying at one of the two fantastic hotels which we’ve used for many years: 4* Maids Head Hotel, central Norwich This popular hotel is situated in the heart of Norwich city centre, located opposite the famous Norman Cathedral, making it the perfect place to stay if you wish to stroll into the vibrant centre. The hotel itself dates back to the 13th century, originally owned by the early Bishops in the day of William the Conqueror, it is rumoured that in 1587 Elizabeth I slept here! It has a total of 84 bedrooms including twin, double and single rooms, all furnished in a warm welcoming style and offer a comfortable and well-equipped retreat at the end of the day. There is a blend of contemporary or traditionally decorated bedrooms with individual charm and character, all of which have en suite bath or shower facilities, duvets, satellite TV, trouser press, hair dryer and hospitality tray. For further information on the Maids Head Hotel click here 3* Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich This popular hotel set in landscaped grounds is situated approximately 2½ miles south of Norwich city centre, and like the Maids Head it is ideally situated for the coach journey to and from the village of Thursford. As with all Holiday Inn hotels you will experience efficient levels of service, along with large, clean bedrooms, all of which are en-suite, with TV, telephone, trouser press, hair dryer, and hospitality tray. The hotel can usually provide, subject to availability, a large allocation of bedrooms for single occupancy, ideal for groups who have passengers who prefer a bit of privacy. It also has a large number of ground floor bedrooms, ideal for passengers who don’t like stairs or lifts. For those more energetic, the hotel also has an indoor heated pool, sauna, whirlpool, and fitness centre, all of which are free to residents. For further information on the Holiday Inn click here Several of our GTO’s have visited the show for five consecutive years, and our Sales Manager – Ian Pearson, who has experienced the show for himself after accompanying several GTO’s on recent familiarisation visits, could certainly see why the show is so popular, and had this to say: “I’ve organised group tours to see the Thursford Christmas Spectacular for the past ten years, with GTO’s always telling me how good it is, and what a great time their group have had, and despite having the confidence to sell it, I thought I should find out for myself, and I just couldn’t believe what I saw when I went! From stepping off the coach and walking through the trees covered in thousands of sparkling lights, to actually sitting in the purpose built auditorium, again festively decorated, and watching a truly magnificent show, which one GTO described to me as being on par, if not better than many of London’s West End Shows, at a fraction of the price! The 2½ hour show was a great mix of traditional Christmas carols, fantastic dance routines, numbers from West End Shows, a great comedian, and a very funny ventriloquist, oh and not forgetting the man playing the famous Wurlitzer, along with much, much more. I’m certainly delighted that I went, as I can certainly see why we have several GTO’s who take their group year after year. You and your group would not be disappointed!”  As usual, we will be applying for tickets as requested at the beginning of January, and like all companies, we will only find out which dates and tickets we’ve been allocated at the beginning/middle of March. Therefore if any company promises you a specific date and ticket allocation before March, please take the time to question it, as Thursford do not offer preferential treatment to anyone!