A fantastic destination for a family-friendly holiday, Cromer has more than enough attractions to keep even the most energetic kids happy. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful corner of England during the school summer holidays, take a look at our pick of the best days out for kids in Cromer.
Kids of all ages love visiting emergency service stations and Cromer Lifeboat Station is no different. An incredibly important part of this seaside community, the lifeboat has been saving lives in the waters off the town’s coast since 1804.
You can visit the station to learn more about its history, find out the basics of sea safety, meet the crew and see the boats up close. Kids will love meeting the lifeboatmen and hearing about their adventures at sea. If they’re lucky, they may even be able to try on the crew outfits, take a lifeboat-related quiz and learn how to use some of the all-important life-saving equipment.
If you still haven’t got your fill of lifeboats and life-saving history, you can head over to the RNLI Henry Blog Museum. The museum is named after Henry Blogg, a local man who was the most decorated lifeboatman in RNLI history and who served for an impressive 53 years on Cromer’s lifeboats. During that time, he saved a staggering 873 people from the cold waters of the North Sea.
Located right on the waterfront, the museum is a great place to learn more about the history of the organisation and the unique role the RNLI has played in Cromer life.
Sometimes, the best things in life really are free. When the sun is out and the weather is warm, there are few better destinations for a family excursion than the soft sands of Cromer Beach. Spend an afternoon sunbathing, swimming and building sandcastles with the kids or take an evening stroll along the famous pier for a unique view of the town and seafront.
Cromer Beach boasts a wide range of amenities including toilets, cafes and shops. You’ll also find some great entertainment options along the promenade, ensuring there’s something to keep everyone happy.
Cromer treasure trail is a self-guided tour that you and your kids can take to get to know the town a little better. Perfect for kids aged six and over, the trail takes around two hours to complete and leads you through almost two miles of the town’s characterful centre.
Find out more about family-friendly days out in Cromer by taking a look around our site or getting in touch with a member of our team.
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As anyone who’s been to Cromer will know, the town is home to an excellent choice of restaurants, cafes and farmers’ markets. Whether you’re a fan of fresh seafood, can’t get enough of traditional British cuisine or just love your fresh fruit and veg, you’ll find something in Cromer to tickle your taste buds.
With such a wide array of culinary delights on offer, this week we’re asking if Cromer could actually be the cuisine capital of Norfolk and, if so, where can you get the best grub in town?
The best quality crab in the UK, and one of the tastiest crustaceans found anywhere in the world, Cromer crab is one of the town’s culinary highlights. These tasty brown crabs are caught off the shores around Cromer. Thanks to the nutrient-packed water they live in, the crabs are particularly flavoursome, tender and fragrant. They also have a relatively high proportion of white meat to brown, which has made them popular with diners around the world.
You can sample Cromer crab in many of the cafes and restaurants in the town. Or, if you really want to get to grips with this Norfolk classic, pay a visit to the annual World’s Best Crab Sandwich competition and taste the very best the region has to offer.
Although Cromer may be best known as the home of British crab, the town does very well when it comes to other seafood too. Like many seaside resorts around the UK, Cromer boasts an excellent choice of fish and chip shops. Simply take a stroll along the seafront and you’re guaranteed to find delicious fresh battered fish and mouth watering chips. You’ll have to sample a few while you’re in the area and let us know which you think are the best.
Norfolk has long been known for its fertile fields and rich harvests and the countryside around Cromer is no exception. During the summer months, there are a number of farms where you can pick your own fruit and veg straight from the fields. What’s more, many of the pubs and restaurants in and around the town serve up locally sourced ingredients, so even if you don’t have time to pick your own you can still try some of our fantastic produce.
If this has got your tummy rumbling and your juices flowing, it’s time to book your trip to Cromer. Stay with us while you’re in town and you’ll be able to sample some delicious dishes right here in our very own Bolton’s Bistro. Take a look around our site today to find out more.
Perched on the north-east corner of East Anglia, the bustling town of Cromer is around 23 miles from Norwich. A popular destination for families looking for a relaxing break and visitors who want to experience the best of Norfolk, the town is a must see for anyone interested in food, history, culture and natural beauty.
Whether you’re travelling to Cromer by car or by public transport, you’ll find the town is easy to reach and well connected to the surrounding area. To help you plan your trip to Norfolk, we’re taking a closer look at the best ways to travel to and around Cromer.
Two A roads link Cromer to the rest of Norfolk. The A140 runs from the town to Norwich while the A148 goes to Fakenham. There are also a number of beautiful winding lanes that you can explore in the countryside around the town.
Once in Cromer, you’ll find it fairly easy to get around by car. The town has a choice of car parks both in the town centre and close to the beach, making it easy to park up, get out and explore.
Cromer Station opened to the public in 1887. Built as a spur off the Norwich to Sheringham Bittern line, the station is the last remaining one of three originally built to serve the town. Regular train services link Cromer with both Norwich and Sheringham, making it a popular day trip destination for residents of Norfolk. Another station, Roughton Road, was built in 1985 to serve the newly developed housing estates on the southern edge of Cromer.
If you arrive in Cromer by train, you can continue your journey by foot, taxi or bus. Bike parking facilities are also available at the station.
An impressive 27 different bus routes operate in and around Cromer. These routes help to connect destinations within the town and link Cromer with other villages and towns in the surrounding area. Travelling by bus around Cromer is cheap, quick and easy with many routes running regularly throughout the day. Check local transport information to find out which routes serve your local area.
Thanks to its famously flat landscape, Norfolk is perfect for exploring by bike. There are a number of bike routes around Cromer, some of which take you deep into the heart of the Norfolk countryside. Ask at your hotel or check local information boards to find out more.
If you’d like to know more about travelling to and around Cromer, we can help. Get in touch today to find out more.
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It is not everyday that a restaurant gets chosen to appear in a well respected magazine. We are excited to have been picked to appear in the latest version of the FEAST magazine for 2018. Our new General Manager, Richard Howard, has high ideals of where he would like to take this classic hotel on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, and this drive caught the attention of the magazines editors.
The hotel has two restaurants to show the pure delights of local cooking produced by some of the best chefs this county has to offer.
The Bolton Bistro specialises in fish and seafood dishes but has a huge repertoire of other meals available.
The Westcliff Restaurant specialises in fine dining with exquisite presentation and attention to detail which makes taking your loved ones, friends or working colleagues out for a meal will definitely make a big impression.
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Twinkling festive lights, warm cosy pubs, exciting markets and picturesque views make Cromer the perfect place to enjoy Christmas. There are events and activities taking place in and around the town right up to the day itself, giving you plenty of opportunities to get in the festive spirit and enjoy the best of Cromer and Christmas.
The beautiful Cromer Christmas lights were officially turned on at the beginning of December during an event attended by thousands. Spectators who braved the chilly temperatures to see the lights twinkle also got to enjoy a special Christmas market and a visit from Father Christmas himself. If you missed the main event, you can still enjoy Cromer’s festive illuminations by taking a stroll around the pretty town centre once the sun has gone down.
One of the most
popular festive events that takes place in the town is the Cromer Pier
Christmas Show. This year performances will take place from the 20th
to the 30th December, with both matinees and evening shows
available. Perfect for all the family, the show is an extravaganza of music,
dance, entertainment and all round festive fun. Last year’s show won rave
reviews across the board with audience members praising it for its high
production values, laugh out loud comedy routines and spectacular dance
performances. Book your tickets now and enjoy one of the best events Cromer has
to offer.
If you can’t
make the Cromer Pier Christmas Show but still want to get in the Christmas
spirit, fear not, Cromer is packed full of more seasonal cheer than you can
shake a stick at. Thanks to the number of independent shops and boutiques
located in the town centre, Cromer is always a great destination for shopping
and Christmas is no different. Spend a day stocking up on locally sourced gifts
before retiring to a cosy local pub for a well-earned drink.
Many of
Cromer’s most popular pubs and restaurants will be running special festive
menus over the Christmas period. Whether you’re visiting the town with a large
group of friends and family or spending a festive weekend away with your other
half, booking a table at one of these excellent eateries is a great way to make
the most of the your stay in Cromer. Have a look online to find the perfect
menu for your taste buds.
On a bright,
crisp winter’s day there are few places more beautiful than the Cromer
countryside. Take a stroll along the beach to Overstrand, visit one of the pretty
nearby villages and explore Norfolk’s spectacular landscape.
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There’s nothing like waking up in the morning, drawing your curtains and looking out over the bright blue sea. Even on windy or stormy days seascapes are dramatic and beautiful, making a sea view the most important thing to look for in a coastal hotel.
Whether you’ve planned a week of sunbathing, are looking forward to some windswept walks on the sands or just want to enjoy some breath-taking coastal views, having easy access to the beach will enhance your holiday no end. Look for a hotel that’s just a short stroll from the sands so you can take full advantage of your seaside location.
On a crisp autumn day or a windy winter evening, there are few things better than relaxing by a roaring log fire, reading a book in a cosy lounge or enjoying a drink in a warm and welcoming bar.
Choose a hotel with knowledgeable staff and you’ll be able to find out about all the best walks, beaches, pubs and restaurants in the local area.
Select a hotel with great food and a choice of eateries and you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious evening meal after an exciting day by the sea.
All that fresh air can be tiring so it’s important you choose a hotel with comfortable beds and sumptuous bedding.
Although the restaurant in your hotel will probably provide most of your meals, it’s still good to be within easy reach of local amenities. Shops, bus routes, pubs and cafes will all come in handy during your break by the sea.
One of the best things about the UK’s coast is that it’s surrounded by the beautiful British countryside. Having easy access to walking routes, country pubs and rural attractions will add another element to your holiday and will help you to get even more out of your trip.
Not everyone who stays in a coastal hotel is married or staying with their family. A hotel with flexible accommodation and a choice of room types will help you to find the perfect base for your coastal stay.
The seaside can be a fantastic place for a pet-friendly break, especially in the low season. Choose a hotel that allows four-legged friends and you can enjoy your break with all the family.
To book your perfect coastal break, get in touch with a member of our team or explore our site today.
As locals and holidaymakers will know, Cromer beach is incredibly clean and very beautiful. In 2017, the beach was officially recognised once more as one of the cleanest in the UK. Along with five other North Norfolk beaches, the stretch of sand was awarded a prestigious Blue Flag for the quality of its water and its commitment to both the people who use the beach and the local environment.
Other local beaches to be awarded a blue flag are East Runton, West Runton, Mundesley, Sea Palling and Sheringham.
In 2015, the recently refurbished Cromer Pier won the National Piers Society ‘Pier of the Year’. Following damage that was sustained in a huge winter storm surge, the pier underwent a £1.8m programme of repairs and improvements. It was then used as a location in the Alan Partridge film ‘Alpha Papa’. This won the pier a whole new legion of fans and helped it to clinch the coveted Pier of the Year award.
Residents of Cromer have a huge amount of civic pride in the town and the surrounding areas. This is epitomised by Neil Coston, a local Norfolk man whose beach hut ‘Kittiwake’ was named best kept in the eastern region. A home from home, the hut is situated on Cromer prom and offers Mr Coston and his family the perfect place to enjoy a day by the sea.
With its historic buildings, stunning seaside position and beautiful countryside, Cromer is undeniably one of the most spectacular towns in the UK.
This was confirmed in 2015 when the Eastern Daily Press name the coastal conurbation the prettiest place to live in Norfolk.
If you’re planning a trip to Cromer and want to find out how to make the most of your stay by the sea, we can help. Get in touch with a member of our team or explore our site to find out more.
With its expansive countryside, great choice of walking routes and spectacular beaches, the area around Cromer is perfect for dog walking. In fact, the area is so pet friendly that a lot of people choose to bring their pooches along when they visit the area on holiday.
From May to October, some of Norfolk’s busier beaches prohibit dogs from their sands. However, it is still possible to find some fantastic spots for a waterside stroll, especially if you know where to look. One of the best dog friendly beaches near Cromer is Overstrand. Located around one and a half miles from Cromer, the beach is linked to the town by a beautiful clifftop path, making it easy to get to and from the sands.
Thanks to the wealth of dogs and dog lovers in Norfolk, most of the pubs in the area allow well behaved pooches at least in some areas. In Cromer, The White Horse, The Albion, and The Red Lion are some of the most dog friendly pubs, however you’ll find that the majority of watering holes will let you in with your four-legged friend.
In general, stopping in at a café for a bite to eat with your dog in tow isn’t a problem in Cromer. A large number of the cafes in and around the town centre allow well-behaved dogs, but it’s always a good idea to check before you bring your pooch inside. Some of the cafés that allow dogs in Cromer are Buttercups Tearooms, the Blue Sky Café, the Jetty Café, Café Main and Shelley’s Pie and Mash Shop.
It’s all very well and good having a list of cafes, pubs and beaches that are dog friendly in the Cromer area, but if you can’t find somewhere to stay for the night, you might have to leave your pooch
at home anyway. Luckily for you and your hound, there is a choice of dog friendly hotels in Cromer. The Cliftonville Hotel is actually one of the most pet friendly in the area. Dogs are welcome to stay in your room with you and we’ll do our best to make sure you and your dogs are happy and comfortable.
What’s more, as we have an excellent knowledge of the local area, we’ll be able to point you towards some of the most beautiful walking routes and dog friendly beaches in Norfolk.
To find out more about bringing your four-legged friend on holiday to Norfolk, contact a member of our team or take a look around our site.
Just 600 years ago, visitors to Cromer would have had to carry their buckets and spades a lot further to get to the beach. The town, then known as Crowsmere, was a lot further inland, though the countryside and villages that separated it from the sea have long since washed away.
Local lifeboatman Henry Blogg was the RNLI’s most decorated lifesaver. During his 53 years in service, he saved an incredible 873 people from the North Sea.
Artists and writers have been coming to Norfolk for years to relax, get inspired and create their masterpieces. One of the most famous works inspired by the region started life right here in Cromer when Sherlock Holmes writer Arthur Conan Doyle heard the local legend of Black Shuck. This story about a dog like creature that haunted the local countryside became the inspiration for the legendary thriller The Hound of the Baskervilles.
The Cromer Shoal Chalk Bed, which lies just off the coast, is thought to be the largest chalk reef in Europe. It’s recently been designated a Marine Conservation Zone.
The largest and best preserved mammoth skeleton ever discovered was found at the Runtons. More fossils are found on Cromer’s beaches all the time, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and about.
Cromer Pier won Pier of the Year in 2015.
End of the Pier shows was once common in the UK’s seaside resorts. However, they’ve disappeared over the last few decades, leaving Cromer home to the last end of the pier show in Europe.
James Dyson, one of the UK’s most famous inventors, was born in Cromer.
Cromer gained popularity as a destination in the 19th century thanks to the number of high profile visitors that holidayed in the town. The most famous was King Edward VII who enjoyed playing golf on the courses around Cromer.
In 1883, journalist Clement Scott visited Cromer and wrote about the area. He named the stretch of coast between Overstrand and Sidestrand ‘Poppyland’ because of the number of flowers that lined the local railway.
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