Dreaming ahead to Christmas

Even writing about Christmas in October seems wrong, but on a shopping trip just a few weeks ago I noticed the stores already had their Christmas stock on display.

There has also been an uptick on our website in people searching for things to do in December while visiting North Norfolk.

That can mean only one thing. You’ve arrived here because you’re planning ahead for Christmas.

Perhaps you have a large family travelling from all over to be together for the holidays. You’re wondering how easy it will be for everyone to travel, whether they will approve of the accommodation you’ve chosen, whether there really will be enough space for all twelve of you.

And then there are the little things that can be hard to find – like having a proper bedroom and bathroom downstairs for anyone who finds stairs a challenge.

There’s some very good news.

You’ve found the right house. You can stop looking now.

North Cottage Cromer sleeps twelve, has an extraordinary collection of 5-star reviews, and has twice been recognised in the Norfolk tourism awards for exceptional self-catering hospitality.

And, importantly at Christmas, the house is genuinely big enough for everyone.

The kitchen is very well equipped for all kinds of cooking and sits right next to the main dining room, so the person doing the cooking isn’t banished to the kitchen while everyone else is having fun. An amazing three-oven AGA takes care of the roast.

Yes, there is a downstairs king-size bedroom and a step-free wet room just along the hallway. The large, comfortable bedroom has a sofa and TV for streaming, and is just across from the more grown-up living room, complete with cosy wood-burning stove.

Parking is right outside the front door on the secure gravel driveway, so there’s no long walk to the house.

So all in all, Gran should be just fine. In fact, many of our older guests tell us how much they enjoy having a quiet escape from the grandchildren from time to time!

This is where Christmas really happens

The star attraction at Christmas is the enormous garden room. It’s seventy square metres, let us assure you that’s big, large enough to park six cars (but please don’t try it!). For the festivities it is completed with giant decorated Christmas tree and enough comfortable seating for the entire family.

There is a plentiful choice of traditional family board games, so you can relive childhood memories of Cluedo, Scrabble and, dare we say it, Monopoly. We didn’t even mention the professional table-foosball – hours of fun. There, fixed it, we did now.

When you’re tired of talking and games, there’s a 55-inch Sony TV to sink in front of. Although whether anyone actually watches television at Christmas anymore is another question.

Next to the garden room is the exotic conservatory, with its jungle of plants providing a rather wonderful backdrop. There’s another dining table here which comfortably seats eight or even ten, plus comfortable seating for cocktails, coffee or simply putting your feet up.

Guests love this room. It’s the sort of precious extra space many people dream of having at home.

Everyone gets a proper bedroom

You’ll also need to know about the sleeping arrangements for everyone else.

Upstairs there are five spacious bedrooms. The master bedroom has sea views and an en-suite bathroom with bath and separate rainfall shower. There’s another king-size bedroom with garden views, a double bedroom with views towards the sea, and two twin rooms.

In total, the house sleeps twelve guests.

There’s also space for up to five cars on the secure gravel drive, depending on the size of the vehicles. Four large SUVs fit comfortably and five cars is possible too. EV charging is available nearby at Morrisons.

Everyone can make it to Cromer

Which brings us nicely to how your guests will travel to Cromer.

North Norfolk works particularly well for bringing families together from different parts of the country. Our guests regularly come from the Midlands, the South, the South East and London.

Cromer has its own railway station, with connections to the mainline at Norwich. London Liverpool Street to Cromer takes around three hours, and the final stretch from Norwich to Cromer is especially scenic.

Several guests have told us they love that last part of the journey. It feels like the holiday has started before they even arrive.

When you fancy getting out and about

And what is there to do once you’re here?

Plenty.

Cromer has its own charming, slightly rinky-dink streets, and even during the festive season it’s great fun to wander through the winding lanes.

Beach walks are always a wonderfully bracing tonic, whatever the time of year. The traditional end-of-the-Pier Christmas Show is full of the sort of nostalgia we all seem to yearn for at Christmas.

There are warm, glowing pubs, award-winning restaurants and all the local shops you could wish for, from butchers and bakeries to barista coffee.

Then there’s the sea, the pier and the enormous North Norfolk sky.

So that’s Christmas sorted then.

Book here and start making your gift list.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Jerry & Andrea