Things to do
Our pick of what to do in and around Cromer, from the pier on our doorstep to the great houses and gardens of North Norfolk. Where you see We’ve written about it, we’ve been ourselves and written up the visit on our blog.
On the doorstep
Everything here is a short walk from our gate, through North Lodge Park.
Cromer beach
Blue Flag beach, for its facilities, water quality, cleanliness and lifeguards. Walk the sands to Overstrand and come back along the cliff path, with views across the golf course to the pier.
Crabbing on the pier
You’ll need a line, a net, a stone to sink it, a bucket of seawater and some bait. Bacon works best.
The RNLI lifeboat
Visit the working lifeboat at the end of the pier, then the Henry Blogg Museum at the Rocket House for the crews’ heroic rescues of years gone by.
Cromer Museum
Beside the church. Discover how a fishing town became a famous Victorian resort.
The end of the pier show
The last end-of-the-pier variety show in the country: comedy, magic, singing and dancing, in summer and at Christmas. Popular with our guests.
Crab, lobster and carnival
Cromer celebrates its famous crab every May, and Carnival Week fills the middle of August, with an air show on Carnival Day, weather permitting.
Out and about
A short drive, or a bus ride on the £3 Coasthopper.
Seals at Blakeney Point
Take a boat from Morston Quay to see England’s largest seal colony.
Fossil hunting
This is the Deep History Coast. A mammoth skeleton was found at West Runton in 1990, and some of Europe’s earliest human footprints were revealed in 2014. Can you find a mammoth tooth?
Surfing
Glide Surf School is on the promenade near the pier. Our guests say the equipment and tuition are excellent.
Steam, the Broads and more
Ride the Poppy Line steam railway from Sheringham, hire a day boat on the Norfolk Broads, race at Karttrak, or book a round at Cromer, Sheringham or Mundesley golf clubs.
Houses and gardens
Some of England’s finest, within an hour of Cromer.
East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden
Our favourite garden, anywhere. We’ve been every year for at least ten years. Open March to October, with excellent tea and cake.
Holkham Hall
Something for every age, and close to one of Norfolk’s most famous beaches. About an hour’s drive.
Wolterton Park
One of North Norfolk’s great houses, open to the public again, just ten miles from Cromer.
Blickling, Felbrigg and Sandringham
Blickling and Felbrigg are National Trust houses close to Cromer: a chance to join, or use your membership somewhere new. Further west, the Royal Family’s Sandringham opens its parkland all year and the house in certain seasons.
Houghton Hall
Further afield, with a well-deserved reputation for world-class outdoor sculpture and a walled garden Monty Don filmed for British Gardens.
Lazy days
Sometimes the best plan is no plan.
Stay put
Don’t go anywhere. Play badminton, croquet or table football in the garden, or curl up with a good book.
Browse the town
Skip the chain stores and wander Cromer’s narrow lanes for the fishmonger, the butcher and the bakers.
The Gunton Arms
A multi-award-winning pub and restaurant in a deer park at Thorpe Market, a short drive away.
Ideas by season
More from our blog, depending on when you’re coming.