The huge Garden Room at North Cottage Cromer

North Cottage Cromer Named Finalist in 2026 Tourism Awards

North Cottage Cromer – announced as finalist 12th January 2026

We are proud to announce that North Cottage Cromer has been selected as a finalist for the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year in the Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards 2026.

Having won this prestigious title in 2025, we know exactly how rigorous the judging process is. The judges look for “thoughtful design, strong guest care, and a clear sense of place.” Since our win last year, we have worked hard to uphold these values, achieving our Bronze Carbon Charter status and enhancing our accessibility features.

Awards night 2025 at Norwich Castle - The Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards. Jerry and Andrea are in the centre of the photo.
Winners group photo 2025 Norwich Castle – Andrea and Jerry hosts of North Cottage Cromer (centre photo)

In March 2025, we were thrilled to be named Self Catering Accommodation of the Year at the Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards. It was a huge moment for us and our team. We must admit, we thought very hard about whether to enter again this year. Defending a title in the tourism sector is notoriously difficult; judges often favour a “fresh story” or a brand-new opening, and we completely understand that.

The Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards are designed to celebrate the incredible diversity of our region. The real winner is the “visitor experience” as a whole – no single business can do it alone.

This year we are honoured to be shortlisted alongside two properties that are both very different to North Cottage Cromer. They showcase just how varied a stay in East Anglia can be:

  • Snettisham Railway Station: A unique heritage restoration of a modest but important property offering a distinct slice of Norfolk history.
  • Farmstead Lodges Suffolk: luxury lodges in the countryside, part of an extensive farm, pub and wedding venue company.

We send our congratulations to both finalists and we’re looking forward to meeting everyone who helps make the guest experience in Norfolk and Suffolk so diverse. Awards Night is 12th March at The Corn Hall in Diss.

Montage of images of Award winning North Cottage Cromer - finalists for the 2026 Visit East of England / Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards.

Following our success at the 2025 awards, we didn’t just pop the trophy on the hallway table; we got to work. The judges’ feedback highlighted that what matters most isn’t just the bricks and mortar, but the personal touch and consistency.

Our 2026 booking calendar has filled up very quickly since September. We’ve set our sights on not just maintaining the very high standards that impressed the judges in 2025, but exceeding them. “Forever better” is the challenge we set ourselves every day. Since the last awards, we have:

  • Achieved Bronze Carbon Charter Accreditation: We completely rethought our sustainability strategy, from changing energy suppliers to renewables to reducing water use.
  • Enhanced Accessibility: We introduced audio descriptions to our website and improved accessibility facilities for our multi-generational guests.
  • Welcomed an MP: Our win even caught the attention of our local MP, Steffan Aquarone, who visited us and congratulated North Cottage Cromer in a Parliamentary debate!

Entering the 2026 awards is our way of proving that we are still listening, still improving, and still committed to giving our guests the very best stay possible.

North Norfolk MP Steff Aquarone visits North Cottage Cromer in May 2025
Andrea and Jerry welcome North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone
Cromer Pier 60s weekend 2024
Cromer Pier – 60s weekend 2024

Cromer is an incredibly important visitor destination for North Norfolk. The town has a deep history of hospitality, welcoming seaside visitors for over 150 years. This year is particularly special as Cromer Pier is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

In Norfolk, tourism contributes £500m annually to the economy and sustains around 30% of employment. For us, becoming a finalist for the second year running isn’t just about North Cottage Cromer; it’s about keeping the spotlight on Cromer. It helps bring more publicity and more visitors to our amazing town, supporting the local shops, cafes, restaurants and museums that our guests love to visit.

Thank you to all our guests for the wonderful reviews and feedback that helped us get to the finals of the tourism again this year. Thank you to all our guests who have rebooked to return again this year – your loyalty means a great deal to us, we’re delighted North Cottage Cromer offers you everything you’re looking for in a great multi-generational family holiday.

We look forward to welcoming you again soon!

Jerry & Andrea

Read our previous blog about the awards in 2025 here.

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