Winner! Self Catering Accommodation of the Year 2025 Visit Suffolk and Norfolk

We’re thrilled to have won at the Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards

Last night we left North Cottage Cromer to travel to Norwich Castle for the Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards 2025. We were delighted to be finalists in the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category. The competition was tough. Suffolk Escapes and East Ruston Cottages were also through to the final. Both would be worthy winners.

We weren’t sure what to expect. Ours is a single property, the other finalists have multiple units for rent. This is our 6th year of operation. We only decided to enter the awards when Airbnb added a banner to our listing stating that we were among the most loved homes globally. In fact apparently we’re in the top 5%. Airbnb base this accolade on guest reviews and responsiveness of the host.

We parked at Castle Mall and then fortunately bumped into Chris Starkie who looks after Growth and Investment at Norfolk County Council. We wouldn’t have easily found our way into the amazing Norwich Castle, in the dark, without his confident guidance. We were off to a good start – we were actually at the awards venue!

The main attendees were the sponsors of the evening and the nominees; 3 in each category and 4 in some of the most closely contested. The awards are scored and judged on the Visit England criteria. That means the judges have a score sheet and points are awarded against each requirement to be outstanding. Apparently our category; Self Catering Accommodation of the Year was hotly contested. The finalists and runners-up all go forwards from the regional awards to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence in June.

The awards were hosted by About Anglia TV presenter David Whiteley who did a great job keeping everything lively, entertaining and interviewing the winners.

The Awards Ceremony

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year was among the last of the awards to be called. By that time many of the other businesses seated around us had been called up to receive their awards. Holkham Hall (Visitor Attraction of The Year) The Pigs in Edgefield (Pub of the Year), Titchwell Manor Hotel (Hotel of the Year) Jimmy’s Farm (Experience of the Year) and other leading Norfolk and Suffolk visitor destinations.

The runner-up was announced – Suffolk Escapes. Their properties are fabulous, lodges set around a lake, but quite different to North Cottage Cromer.

Andrea and I looked at each other. So it was either us or East Ruston Cottages. We couldn’t be more different. They specialise in dog friendly cottages, we don’t take any dogs at all!

And the Winner is…

Then the announcement. The Winner is… A dramatic pause from the host and then the words; North Cottage Cromer! The judges said the property was stunning, a stones throw from the beach, the only house in North Lodge Park.

Up we went onto the stage to collect our award. The host, David Whiteley, asked if we got lots of returning guests. I confirmed we do, but we also host guests from all over world – this summer from California and Perth, Australia – really helping to put Cromer on the map. The audience loved that – we’re all working hard to promote Norfolk as the great destination it truly is.

Then Andrea said we were thrilled to win in a category where the other finalists were so extraordinary and had such beautiful properties. Running any hospitality business is hard work and there are no losers in a night celebrating all our achievements. It really is a fully interdependent economy. You can run the best accommodation but if there are no restaurants or attractions to visit the guests won’t come.

With our award – Self Catering Accommodation of the Year, Suffolk and Norfolk, 2025
Thank you to Belle View Guest House and Cottage (winner B&B Guest House of the Year) for taking our photo!

As ours was among the last few awards, the ceremony ended shortly afterwards. There were photos to be taken and certificates to be collected. There was also a chance to meet some of the other winners and sponsors.

Congratulations to all the winners at Visit Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards 2025

So now North Cottage Cromer goes forward to the Visit England Awards in June where the Awards for Excellence are announced.

It was a great evening. Thank you to all our guests who have awarded us 5* reviews for your stay at North Cottage Cromer. It was your reviews and enthusiasm for the house that encouraged us to enter the awards in the first place. Thank you.