Park Farm Hotel leads with a 9.0/10 overall rating and a 9.4 cleanliness score, though pool access costs extra. For all-inclusive leisure facilities, Dunston Hall’s 8.0/10 rating includes free use of its indoor pool, sauna, and steam room.
Norwich’s hotel pools range from historic country-house setups to private apartment hot tubs. Here are the eight properties that let you swim on your terms.
Why Trust This Guide
I analyzed 8 properties and 13,500+ total verified guest reviews to compile this list, prioritizing indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an average guest score of 8.1/10.
🎯 Quick Picks: Skip to What You Need
- Top-rated with pool: #4 Park Farm Hotel→ Rates
- Pool included free: #5 Wensum Valley Hotel Golf and Country Club→ Rates
- Private hot tub + pool: #8 The Norwich Hideaway – Private Hot Tub→ Rates
- Best for families: #1 Sprowston Manor Hotel, Spa & Golf→ Rates
#2 Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort→ Rates - Adults-only atmosphere: #6 Barnham Broom Hotel, Golf & Spa→ Rates
Editor’s Note on Booking: We use smart routing to find you the best available rates. Clicking our availability buttons checks live pricing across trusted platforms to ensure you secure your stay.
Quick Compare: Top Places To Stay
| Property | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sprowston Manor Hotel, Spa & Golf | (4500+ Reviews) |
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| 2. Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort | (4150+ Reviews) |
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| 3. Holiday Inn Norwich, Ipswich Road by IHG | (1500+ Reviews) |
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| 4. Park Farm Hotel | (1500+ Reviews) |
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| 5. Wensum Valley Hotel Golf and Country Club | (700+ Reviews) |
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| 6. Barnham Broom Hotel, Golf & Spa | (550+ Reviews) |
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| 7. The Old Rectory Hotel | (450+ Reviews) |
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| 8. The Norwich Hideaway – Private Hot Tub | (30+ Reviews) |
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Detailed Reviews: Top Norwich Hotels With Swimming Pools
1. Sprowston Manor Hotel, Spa & Golf
The Vibe
This historic house set in beautiful grounds trades on its comprehensive spa offering: pool, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi with towels provided. A 7.6 facilities score reflects solid leisure amenities, and its Location score of 8.6 means you’re close enough to Norwich without sacrificing the countryside setting.
What You Actually Get
Four-poster beds in some rooms, two restaurants on-site for evening meals, and free private parking. The indoor pool is the main draw here — guests confirm it’s available with towels provided. Families are welcome (children 15 and above charged as adults), and pets can stay for a £10 charge. Wi-Fi scores 7.8, strong enough for basic browsing. Check-in runs until 11:30 PM, which helps if your travel into Norfolk runs late.
Choose this if: You want a full spa day (pool, sauna, steam, Jacuzzi) bundled with your room, and don’t mind a 7.1 overall score in exchange for the most amenities per pound.
Check Tonight’s Price for Sprowston Manor Hotel, Spa & Golf →
2. Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
The Vibe
An Elizabethan-meets-Victorian manor set on sprawling grounds where guests consistently praise the 8.9 staff score. The Location rating of 9.0 is the highest in this list, and the property explicitly confirms all leisure facilities are included in your stay — pool, gym, sauna, and steam room.
What You Actually Get
Two dogs under 25 kg are allowed per booking (£25/night). The 150-acre parkland setting makes this a solid pick for walkers. Room service is available, and free parking is standard. The indoor pool is sizable for a country-house hotel, and the contemporary rooms contrast nicely with the 19th-century facade. Families note extra help for babies from staff — one guest mentioned they “got extra service help for our baby from room.”
Choose this if: You want pool access included in your room rate without a surcharge, plus the best Location score (9.0) in this guide.
Check Tonight’s Price for Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort →
3. Holiday Inn Norwich, Ipswich Road by IHG
The Vibe
IHG’s Norwich outpost leads with a Staff score of 9.1 — the second-highest on this list. Cleanliness and Comfort both hit 8.6, and the indoor swimming pool is a genuine perk. One guest summed it up: “wonderful helpful friendly staff and amazing breakfasts.”
What You Actually Get
Each room includes a Tea/Coffee Maker, and the breakfast is rated “Very Good” — the continental spread includes hot options like bacon, eggs, and sausages. The indoor pool is open but the sauna and steam room remain unavailable due to COVID-19 distancing rules. Free Wi-Fi scores 7.9, pets are allowed (charges apply), and check-in runs until midnight. Parking is free, and there’s a restaurant on-site for evening dining.
Choose this if: You value exceptional staff service (9.1) and a consistent chain-standard pool, and you prefer a hotel with late check-in until midnight.
Check Tonight’s Price for Holiday Inn Norwich, Ipswich Road by IHG →
4. Park Farm Hotel
The Vibe
Park Farm is the highest-rated property in this guide by a clear margin — 9.0 overall with top scores of 9.4 in Staff, Cleanliness, and Comfort. Set in over 200 acres of landscaped gardens, guests consistently call the food “so delicious” and the atmosphere “great.”
What You Actually Get
Here’s the key detail: the indoor swimming pool and leisure facilities are NOT included in the standard room price. You’ll pay a supplement for access. However, the rooms themselves are superb — Cleanliness 9.4 means you’re getting spotless accommodations. The Excellent Breakfast is a standout. Tea/Coffee Maker in all rooms, free private parking, and a staff team scoring 9.4. Pets are not allowed. The decor leans contemporary-country, and the 200-acre grounds feel private and spacious.
Choose this if: You prioritize an exceptional room experience and are happy to pay extra for pool access. The Cleanliness 9.4 and Staff 9.4 are the highest in this entire guide.
5. Wensum Valley Hotel Golf and Country Club
The Vibe
The Wensum Valley sits on 350 acres with two golf courses and a leisure center. The Staff score of 8.8 is strong, and guests describe the bedrooms as “large” with “friendly helpful staff.” The key detail: leisure facilities including the pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room are included in your room price.
What You Actually Get
You’ll need to call ahead to book a swimming slot — the pool is open but requires reservation. The three-star rating keeps room rates lower than the four-star competitors, but the facilities punch above that. Free parking, free Wi-Fi (7.1 — the weakest on this list, so plan accordingly), and a restaurant on-site. Pets are not allowed. Family rooms are available, and there’s a large outdoor seating area guests appreciate during warmer months.
Choose this if: You want free access to the full leisure suite (pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room) without paying a supplement, and you’re fine with a 3-star hotel that delivers 4-star facilities.
Check Tonight’s Price for Wensum Valley Hotel Golf and Country Club →
6. Barnham Broom Hotel, Golf & Spa
The Vibe
Barnham Broom is pitched at the adult market — children are not allowed in the main hotel, though family holiday apartments are available seasonally. Comfort scores 9.1, Staff 9.1, and Cleanliness 9.0. Guests call it “quiet” with “wonderful staff” and “beautiful location.”
What You Actually Get
Access to the indoor swimming pool costs £7.50 per person, per stay — not included. Two restaurants on-site serve the sports bar and main dining, and the Wi-Fi hits a solid 8.7. The 250-acre Norfolk countryside setting is serene. All rooms have Tea/Coffee Makers, free parking is available, and the property enforces strict physical distancing measures. Pets are not allowed. The decor is classic country-house, with particularly well-maintained furniture guests note.
Choose this if: You’re traveling without children and want a calm, adult-focused stay with high Comfort (9.1) and Staff (9.1) scores, even if the pool access is a £7.50 supplement.
7. The Old Rectory Hotel
The Vibe
The Old Rectory is the only property on this list with an outdoor swimming pool, open seasonally from 9 AM to 7:30 PM. Staff score 9.2, and the Value score of 8.7 is the second-highest in this guide. Guests highlight “lovely staff” and “comfy and relaxing” stays, plus a “lovely” breakfast.
What You Actually Get
Children are welcome and can use the pool (no restricted hours for kids). Rooms are praised for their “very comfy beds.” Breakfast is rated “Wonderful” and includes Continental and Full English/Irish options. Free parking and free Wi-Fi (8.3) are included. Check-in closes at 9:00 PM — notably earlier than other properties, so plan accordingly. Pets are not allowed. The large garden adds to the appeal, and there’s an EV charging point on-site (charged separately).
Choose this if: You want an outdoor swimming pool for summer stays, value-friendly rates, and a countryside setting near the Norfolk Broads.
8. The Norwich Hideaway – Private Hot Tub
The Vibe
This self-contained apartment offers something unique: a private indoor pool and a private hot tub for your exclusive use. Comfort scores 9.3 — the highest of any property here — and the overall 8.6 rating comes from 30+ reviews. Guests call it “ideal” for visiting Norwich and the surrounding area.
What You Actually Get
The 323 ft² apartment is yours entirely. Pool access: one free hour for bookings of 3+ nights; shorter stays require separate booking. The hot tub is a standout feature. Free on-site parking, family rooms available, and Wi-Fi (3.8) is the weak point here — plan to use mobile data. No pets allowed, and the property does not accommodate bachelor or bachelorette parties. Staff score of 8.9 and a Location score of 8.9 round out a strong set of ratings.
Choose this if: You want total privacy — your own indoor pool and hot tub for a couple’s escape or small family trip, and you’re okay with the Wi-Fi being slow.
Check Tonight’s Price for The Norwich Hideaway – Private Hot Tub →
Final Verdict: Our Top 3 Picks
🏆 Best Overall
#4 Park Farm Hotel
Highest overall rating (9.0), triple 9.4 scores in Staff, Cleanliness, and Comfort, and over 1500 reviews backing the consistency.
💰 Best Value
#5 Wensum Valley Hotel Golf and Country Club
Pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room all included free — plus a 7.6 rating and the lowest room rates among pool-inclusive properties.
Check Tonight’s Price for Wensum Valley Hotel Golf and Country Club →
🏖️ Best Private Pool Access
#8 The Norwich Hideaway – Private Hot Tub
Your own private indoor pool and hot tub in a self-contained apartment with an 8.6 rating and the highest Comfort score (9.3) in this guide.
Check Tonight’s Price for The Norwich Hideaway – Private Hot Tub →
How We Ranked These Norwich Hotels
I evaluated 8 Norwich properties with swimming pools using 13,500+ total verified guest reviews, cross-referencing each hotel’s advertised pool policies against actual guest feedback. The average guest score across all selections is 8.1/10.
- Guest score thresholds: Only properties with 7.0+ overall and 30+ verified reviews
- Score breakdown analysis: Prioritized cleanliness, comfort, and staff scores — the categories most relevant to a pool break
- Amenity verification: Confirmed pool access policies (included vs. supplemental) against guest review patterns
- Location signals: Proximity to Norwich city center and Norfolk countryside for varied stay preferences
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Norwich hotel has the best swimming pool?
For an indoor pool with full spa facilities included free, Dunston Hall (8.0/10, 4150+ reviews) offers unlimited access to its pool, sauna, and steam room. For maximum privacy, The Norwich Hideaway (8.6/10) has a private indoor pool and hot tub for your exclusive use. Park Farm (9.0/10) has excellent leisure facilities but charges a supplement for pool access.
Are pets allowed at any of these Norwich hotels?
Yes. Sprowston Manor (7.1/10) allows pets for a £10 charge. Dunston Hall (8.0/10) accepts up to 2 small dogs at £25 per night. Holiday Inn Norwich (8.2/10) also allows pets with charges that may apply. Park Farm, Wensum Valley, Barnham Broom, The Old Rectory, and The Norwich Hideaway do not allow pets.
Which Norwich hotels include free pool access?
Three hotels in this guide include free pool access in the room rate: Dunston Hall (8.0/10) offers full leisure facility access with no supplement; Wensum Valley (7.6/10) includes the pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room free; and Sprowston Manor (7.1/10) provides towels but doesn’t charge separately for its pool. Park Farm, Barnham Broom, and The Norwich Hideaway charge supplement fees.
When is the best time to visit Norwich for a hotel pool stay?
For indoor pool guests, Norwich works year-round — hotels like Dunston Hall and Sprowston Manor maintain heated indoor pools regardless of weather. For The Old Rectory’s outdoor seasonal pool, aim for June through September. Summer weekends book up fast; midweek stays from October to March offer the best value and quieter pool slots.
Which Norwich hotels are best for families with children?
Sprowston Manor and Dunston Hall both welcome children of all ages (with varying adult pricing for older kids), offer family rooms, and include indoor pools. The Old Rectory allows children to use its outdoor pool from 9 AM to 7:30 PM. Barnham Broom is adult-focused and not suitable for families staying in the main hotel, though seasonal family apartments exist.
What’s the most walkable area near these Norwich hotels?
Most Norwich pool hotels are set in countryside or suburban locations — expect to drive or take a taxi into the city center (3-5 miles). Holiday Inn Norwich on Ipswich Road is the most accessible for city access by road. For a countryside base, Dunston Hall’s 9.0 Location score and wooded parkland setting offer the best balance of proximity and seclusion.