A year for the history books
What a year it’s been at Byfords. Back in January, we shared the exciting news that September 2025 would mark 25 years of Byfords, and we promised a year full of celebrations.
Since then, we’ve taken a deep dive into our heritage, launched special-edition treats and events, brought back some of the classic Byfords dishes everyone loves, and, of course, unveiled many of our 25 exciting improvements, all inspired by your invaluable feedback.
It’s been a truly remarkable year. Keep reading for a look back at all that’s happened, plus a note from Iain and Clair as they look ahead to the next chapter.
25 improvements for 25 years
2025 has brought some wonderful transformations to Byfords - and we’ve now completed 17 of the 25 planned improvements! From beautifully refurbished bedrooms and a stunning alfresco dining canopy to the new treatment room and the exclusive bar and lounge for residents, each change has been made with our guests in mind.
We hope these improvements enhance your experience with us, and we look forward to unveiling the rest.
Celebrating, Byfords style
We celebrated our official 25th birthday in September in true Byfords style: with a special afternoon tea Extravaganza. Chefs from across the decades reunited to create the ultimate spread with their signature dishes.
From Louise, the Cake Connoisseur, to Geoff, the King of Gelato, we celebrated flavour, talent, and the delicious history of Byfords through the years. This was our way of raising a teacup to our chefs, to 25 glorious years, and to doing what we do best: feeding you very well indeed.
Honouring our heritage
This year, we stepped back in time to rediscover the story of Henry Byford, the original owner and the namesake behind Byfords. We loved diving into the rich history of our beloved Holt, sharing tales of the Byford family with you, and honouring Henry himself by giving our new residents’ bar his name: Henry’s.
This cosy space is a nod to the old ironmongers who once worked within these very walls, and we’re proud to create a place that truly captures the spirit and history of Byfords.
A taste of 25 years
We brought back some much-loved Byfords classics, celebrating them as specials on our dinner menu throughout the seasons. In September, we even served up the ultimate birthday treat, the Byfords Birthday Cake, an extravagant chocolate-and-caramel showstopper that quickly became a guest favourite.
We also teamed up with our friends at Norfolk’s own Woodforde’s to craft a special 25th Anniversary Ale, giving you the perfect toast to mark the milestone.
The People of Byfords
We simply wouldn’t be successful without our incredible team. Through a year of building works, disruptions, and plenty of change, they’ve been the steady, smiling heartbeat of the place - keeping the welcome warm and the magic alive every day.
We will continue to shine a light on our staff going forward, as we have done throughout the year with our 'People of Byfords' on-site display and social media posts. After all, it’s their spirit that makes Byfords… Byfords.
A thank you from Iain and Clair
What an interesting year to celebrate our 25th year at the wonderful Byfords. The past five years alone have felt like half a century of economic change, shaped by Covid, Brexit, and other global challenges. The ‘new norm’, as we call it, is very much here to stay.
Fortunately, our commitment to 25 improvements for our 25th year has helped guide us through these challenging times. It’s allowed us to make the changes we need, adapt with confidence, and keep Byfords’ future a priority.
This winter, our improvements continue with the refurbishment of Byfords' remaining rooms, including a complete makeover for Room 17, and further tweaks to the restaurant's operations. We expect to have all 25 improvements completed by September 2026, except for one… and that one’s a biggie if it happens!
We have always had a simple philosophy: as you spend with us, we will invest in improving the experience so you can enjoy it more. The success of Byfords and your loyalty to us have created opportunities not just at Byfords, but also in other Norfolk Passport hospitality locations, in online retail with Sponge, and in property development at The Lodge, Drayton.
Alongside the Byfords refurbishments this year, we built our very first spa at Ffolkes. It's been an amazing privilege to bring this project to life, and it's so nice to see so many people having a great time in the new space. We're delighted that the development has also created around 30 new jobs! As always, it's our unique take on spa, and it's very, very different! 😊
Additionally, Maria, our finance captain, has launched a new wellness brand called NuMi. For anyone who values the benefits of movement and an active lifestyle, and wants to pursue better welbeing, NuMi is definitely worth exploring.
In total, we have around 280 employees, over 200,000 passport holders, and a great set of suppliers - what a marvellous family! We’re currently having to make some fairly big changes to adjust to 'the new norm'. Please trust that your long-term interests are always our priority.
Thank you, as always, for your support and loyalty. We will continue to invest the money you spend with us wisely and build spaces for everyone to enjoy.
We wish you a very Happy New Year and look forward to seeing what 2026 brings.
Best wishes,
Iain, Clair, and the Byfords team.
Save 10% at Byfords with Norfolk Passport
Sign up for Norfolk Passport, a free to join membership programme and receive exclusive perks and discounts at some of the top businesses in Norfolk, including a saving of 10% on food, drinks, and overnight stays at Byfords.
