Summer Memories at North Cottage Cromer 2026

Summer 2026 – a Scorcher!

As another wonderful summer at North Cottage Cromer draws to a close, we’ve been thinking about all the memories we helped make during this summer of heatwaves.

This summer, as we waved our guests safely on their journey home, just as the ryokan hosts did on our tour of Japan earlier in the year, we loved hearing about the highlights from their holidays. The other day we were remembering all the wonderful moments our guests shared with us.

First steps in the Garden Room

One of our families originally re-booked to stay a year ago, but life had other ideas. Their three-generations holiday together was postponed for 12 months as they waited for a new grandchild. This summer they checked-in with a new baby boy. His first birthday was celebrated in Cromer. And somewhere in the excitement of the holiday, he took his first confident steps in the Garden Room. It was a precious family memory we loved hearing about from a proud grandad who was thrilled he’s seen his grandson get to his feet for the very first time.

A 70th birthday sleepover

North Cottage is a large house, and it makes big family gatherings possible. This summer a family came to celebrate mum’s 70th birthday. For the younger cousins it was doubly exciting—a rare family sleepover with the added benefit of a house so big they could play hide and seek. 70 proved to be a very memorable birthday for more than just mum.

“The Dangerous bit!”

For one family, this summer was their first stay at North Cottage Cromer. They arrived for the Bank Holiday and packed plenty into their time in Cromer. One of the highlights was a visit to the traditional End of the Pier Show.

As they were packing the cars, I asked the youngest boy what his favourite part of the show was. He answered instantly: “The dangerous bit!” He then enthusiastically explained the knife-throwing act and the lady lying down on a bed of nails. That’s a memory he’ll hold for a long time, and the family were thrilled it had helped make his stay – along with the angry crab he explained he’d caught off the Pier!

That’s another family who’ve said they’ll be back soon. The good news is the End of the Pier Show is different every season; we hope he’ll enjoy next summer’s show just as much.

Welcoming guests from America and Australia

Some of our guests come year after year to spend time with their Norfolk-based families. An ocean or two keeps them separated for most of the year, but summer is a time to make memories together here in the UK, and North Cottage as a large house right beside the sea is the perfect venue to come together.

For our Pacific Coast family, this house has become their happy place for a fortnight every summer. Their girl says she wants to live here, dad is quite keen too—though he’s not sure his employer will allow him to “work from home in Norfolk”! This summer we waited until early evening to greet them as there was a glitch with their car hire from Heathrow. “Welcome home!” we waved as they drove up to the house. They smiled warmly and hugged us at the end of a long journey.

Another family returned from Perth. They remembered the places they had loved during their first visit and, as we suggested, rebooked them in advance: The Gunton Arms, almost everyone’s favourite with its unique deer-park location just outside Cromer, and an English roast at the seafront Red Lion.

60th birthday trip back in time

One of our most delightful families returned this summer for their second successive year, but only the second stay for us. Let me explain. Their uncle owned North Cottage during the 1960s and 1970s and they stayed here every year, starting with mum and dad’s honeymoon in 1965.

Last summer they returned to North Cottage with the whole family to celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Their son booked to come back this summer because he had an idea—his birthday falls almost a year after the honeymoon, so this summer he was celebrating his 60th birthday. His mother hinted his connection with the house may have begun even earlier than anyone expected! It’s one of the stories that made us laugh, and reminded us that with North Cottage being part of so many people’s lives, we really are only the custodians of this historic house.

A new generation arrives

One generation remembered, another begins. Our most frequent family returned for their fifth stay, this time with a new member of the family, young Noah, experiencing Cromer for the first time. At first he wasn’t convinced about the sand, but soon grew to love it. This family has always made special memories at North Cottage since they first started coming when grandad was still alive.

Their favourite moment this summer during Carnival Week came from securing the prime spot on the Pier after a morning of crabbing, staying put for the magnificent Red Arrows display that soared right over their heads. It was a moment money can’t buy (especially as the display is free!). Truly priceless. A few summers ago grandad’s ashes were added to the waves so this is a very special place for a family we’ve grown to call friends.

Memories that matter

Every holiday at North Cottage is different. Birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, arrivals from America or Australia, first time, fifth time – we enjoy hearing all their memories as we wave our guests goodbye.

We’d love to help your family make memories in Cromer. It’s never too early to book for summer – North Cottage Cromer is a very memorable place to stay.