Find and book the perfect holiday cottage or b&b in Cromer
A gorgeous little town along the north Norfolk coast, Cromer is home to one of the most rapidly eroding coastlines, so visit it now while you can. A thousand years ago, Cromer was actually a town much further inland, but coastal erosion has caused much of the area to fall into the sea, and now the town is petering precariously close to the edge. Nevertheless, Cromer is a great little town set in a charmingly Victorian aesthetic, creating a relaxed mix of an old-school English seaside resort with a Victorian fishing port. The town is home to brightly painted houses lining the coast, with independent boutiques and charming little restaurants – make sure you try the number of fantastic seafood restaurants, complete with fresh fish often caught that very same day from Cromer's waters.
Best Time to Visit Cromer
Sat alongside the north Norfolk coastline on the east of England, Cromer benefits from some really nice weather for a good few months every year. In fact, all the way from the beginning of June until the end of September, Cromer's weather is pretty much ideal, with average temperatures in the early to mid-twenties. During the winter months, from November through to March, the area can feel very cold, especially with the bracing wind blowing over from the North Sea, but it can still be a great time for a brisk walk along the beach before cosying up by the fire in your bed and breakfast accommodation. Bear in mind that if you are looking to visit during the winter months, a number of tourist activities may be closed off as it is out of Cromer's peak season – although this does make it the perfect time to enjoy the town like a local.
How to get to Cromer
Set along the east coast of England near Norfolk, Cromer is served by various main roads – including the M11, the M3, the A1, and the A148. Using these roads, travellers can reach Cromer from all over the UK: from Bournemouth, London, and the north. There are a number of options of travellers to also fly over – whether from elsewhere in the UK or from further afield – and the airports at London Stansted and Norwich International are the closest, while Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and East midlands all have very easy access to Cromer using the great road system or via a train. Interestingly, there is a ferry that sails from Holland provided city-to-city travel from Amsterdam to Norfolk. If you wanted to have a car during your stay, you can easily hire one from the airport, or bring yours over on the ferry, and your sea-side holiday cottage will just be a short drive away. If you are staying in a holiday home in Norfolk, you can visit Cromer on a day trip in only one hour, while accommodation in Great Yarmouth is only a 55 minutes drive. If you'd rather travel by train, Greater Anglia is the primary trainline that runs all the way to Cromer, with trains from Liverpool Street, King's Cross, and Norwich. Alternatively, the National Express coach service also operates daily coaches to Cromer from the Midlands, London, and the southeast, which stops at many scenic coastal destinations along the way – perfect if you want to stretch your legs on the beach with an ice cream.
Where to book a accommodation in Cromer
Cromer Town Centre
Cromer is a coastal town, a holiday resort, a crab fishing port town, and so much more; the town itself is a quaint, and typically English – it even comes with a small pavilion Theatre for those that like to get a bit of culture into their holidays. Wandering through the town showcases the best Cromer has to offer, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes lining the streets. The abundance of Victorian and Georgian architecture creates the authentic coastal resort atmosphere, and the prosperous town is a result of the railway that was installed in the late 1800s, putting Cromer on the beach – and well worth a visit and look around. If you're looking to make Cromer town centre the base for your holiday, then why not stay at the Grove Cromer, a beautifully elegant B&B in Cromer alongside 6 self-catered holiday cottages. Surrounded by incredible gardens, as well as having direct access to Warren Woods that takes guests straight through to Cromer's beach, the Grove Cromer is the perfect spot for holidaymakers looking to enjoy the coastal town without the hectic hustle and bustle of the immediate beach front.
Cromer Beachfront
Cromer is undeniably a coastal town, so why visit Cromer and not make the most of the exception beachfront properties, with sweeping views over the North Sea and the iconically famous Cromer Pier. A traditional seaside beach, with summertime performances, a lifeboat station, and even spots for crab fishing. Strolling along the West Promenade makes for the perfect afternoon stroll, after a day spent packing buckets with sand to make sandcastles. Why not try staying at the Western House, with its panoramic sea views to the western side of the pier. In fact, the Western House is a fantastic short-term holiday rental that overlooks the sea, beach and pier from almost every room, located in an area of outstanding and natural beauty.
Things to do in Cromer
Cromer Beach
One of the best beaches in England, Cromer Beach stretches fro miles, all the way into Overland Beach and more – where clear signs of rising sea levels and coastal erosion can be seen. In fact, the beach is so long it's actually split into two: west beach and east beach, with the pier in the middle. There are virtually no differences between the two, however, as both are great for sunbathing and playing in the sea. Alternatively, rather than get sand in your shoes, take a walk along Cromer's sea wall, or head to the eastern most point of the beach and try scaling the cliffs, that stretch up more than 60 metres. The beach is also the perfect spot to sit back and watch the crabbing boats coming and going.
Cromer Pier
The pier at Cromer Beach was first opened over 100 years ago in 1901, and still today its one of the main tourist attractions for the entire town. In fact, it's so well loved that it won the Pier of the Year award in 2015, and it's even home to its own theatre which was built at the same time as the pier itself but had to be repaired and renovated following a storm during the 1950s.
RNLI Henry Blogg Museum
Known as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum was created to honour the work of the most prolific lifeboat-man who was ever a part of the institution. Located in the Rocket House along the East Promenade, the museum is dedicated to the life of Henry Blogg, who spent a grand total of 53 years with the RNLI, saving 873 people during his time. As a result, Blogg was awarded Gold and Silver Medals from the institution, as well as a British Empire Medal and the George Cross. Visitors to the museum can see not only these medals, and other interesting artefacts from Blogg's life, as well as a detailed history of the 215 years of the lifeboat industry in Cromer.
Felbrigg Hall
Cromer is home to a stunning country manor house that was first built during the 1600s; the Jacobean wing in 1624, and the Baroque west wing in 1680. The actual site and a lot of the estate where Felbrigg Hall is actually even older – dating back to the Medieval times – and it's belonged to the same family since the 1400s. Throughout the house, guests can see the family's lion and fetterlock sigil, hidden amongst the Georgian interior and 15th century windows. Plus, the estate is made up of over 500 acres of woodland, perfect for an afternoon stroll and explore through the orangery.
Crabbing
This seaside town is known for its fishing, and its famous crab – which can be found on menus all over the town. Crabbing round Cromer is completely free, and it's the perfect family activity – all you need is a line, a bucket of water, and some bait. The best spot to catch a few crabs is around the pier, and the best way to play the game is to get the biggest crab rather than the most. Just don't forget to return the crabs safely when you're done.
Cromer Museum
Tucked away behind the Parish Church is the Cromer Museum, which showcases the rich history of the town – both the people's history. and the history of the land. In the museum, visitors will find an old Victorian fisherman's cottage, complete with period furniture, as well as the bones of the West Runton Mammoth which was discovered nearly 30 years ago in West Runton. In addition, there is an entire exhibit dedicated to the scandal that occurred when Cromer became the first town in Britain to allow "mixed bathing".
Cromer Lighthouse
Given the town's prevalence of boating and ships, it's no wonder that it has a fantastic lighthouse to go with it. The Cromer Lighthouse can be found high above the town near Foulness, to the east of Cromer, and it was first built during the 19th century, after the two previous lighthouses were lost to cliff erosion. The lighthouse was originally over half a mile from the edge of the cliff face, although today it is precariously close to toppling over the edge as a result of sea erosion. Today, the light used is automated, which means the lighthouse has been converted into a short-term apartment rental – perfect for a great view over the sea, away from the crowds.
Cromer Parish Church
The original site from the Cromer Parish Church dates back as far as the early 14th century, although during the 1700s the original site was demolished as a result of disrepair. It was then recreated by Arthur Blomfield, a famous architect, and the beautiful stained-glass windows and wooden ceilings are a masterpiece. The architecture is striking becuase it differs to the traditional Gothic style that makes up a lot of the town, as well as the modern Post-War designs. In addition, the Cromer Parish Church has a 58-metre tower accessible via a number of steps – making it the tallest tower of any parish church in Norfolk.
Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary
The Horse Sanctuary in Cromer has a strict stance against farming, and as a result a lot of the horses here have been rescued from nearby farms. It's not just horses that are rescued, however, but mules, donkeys, alpacas, pones, sheep, pigs, goats and more. In fact, there are over 3000 animals at Hillside, all kept in their own paddocks and stables, and visitors can wander around learning about each of their stories, the work that goes into caring for them, and what they can do to help the organisation.
North Lodge Park
If getting sand caught between your toes isn't your thing but you still want a beautiful spot to relax and soak up the Norfolk sunshine, then head to North Lodge Park. Incredibly tranquil, the park overlooks the Parish Church Tower and all along the beach down to Cromer Pier. Sat right on the edge of the cliff-top, there is a pond for people to enjoy model yacht racing, as well as a bowls green, and even a dedicated kids corner.
Explore the Norfolk coast
If you fall in love with this little town on the Norfolk coast, why not book a b&b in Hunstanton, perfect for families wanting to continue their seaside holiday. With plenty of attractions on offer such as the Sea Life Sanctuary and crazy golf - there will be no shortage of things to do here. If you wish for a change and a larger seaside resort experience, book a holiday cottage in Great Yarmouth to be just a couple of steps from its many beaches and museums.