Ash’s guidebook: in and around Cromer
Where to eat
Arriving late (late means 8pm ish here) the best option for supper is the Foundry Arms in North Repps.
It is about a mile from the house, decent pub grub, very friendly atmosphere, music on a Sunday afternoon.
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Foundry Arms Northrepps
Church StreetIt is about a mile from the house, decent pub grub, very friendly atmosphere, music on a Sunday afternoon.
Here we are: fish and chips to die for, in a gorgeous spot on the cliffs in the heart of Cromer overlooking the pier. The brainchild of Michelin starred chef, Gordon Blackiston, go for the views as well as the food.
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No1 Cromer
1 New StHere we are: fish and chips to die for, in a gorgeous spot on the cliffs in the heart of Cromer overlooking the pier. The brainchild of Michelin starred chef, Gordon Blackiston, go for the views as well as the food.
This unassuming little place is owned by a crab and lobster fisherman so the seafood is so fresh, you might have to wait 20 minutes while they bring it in off the boat and prepare it. Go for the seafood platter - you won't be disappointed. In addition they do hot stone cooking - you cook your own steaks or fish on hot stones at the table! A fun night out with the family.
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Hot Rocks
9 Garden StThis unassuming little place is owned by a crab and lobster fisherman so the seafood is so fresh, you might have to wait 20 minutes while they bring it in off the boat and prepare it. Go for the seafood platter - you won't be disappointed. In addition they do hot stone cooking - you cook your own steaks or fish on hot stones at the table! A fun night out with the family.
Cookies is a little cafe and fish shop on the coast road in Salthouse. It's a bit of a local secret. I always make a beeline for it whenever I'm up in Norfolk. It has amazing seafood platters. There is space to sit outside in the summer and a little cafe for inclement weather. They don't have a license but are happy for you to bring a bottle of something chilled.
Warning - it's very little and local so they may not have crab or lobster if the weather is too rough for the boats to go out, and they may close if they have nothing to sell - especially on Mondays. But if you're in luck, you're in for a treat!
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Cookies Crab Shop
Coast RoadCookies is a little cafe and fish shop on the coast road in Salthouse. It's a bit of a local secret. I always make a beeline for it whenever I'm up in Norfolk. It has amazing seafood platters. There is space to sit outside in the summer and a little cafe for inclement weather. They don't have a license but are happy for you to bring a bottle of something chilled.
Warning - it's very little and local so they may not have crab or lobster if the weather is too rough for the boats to go out, and they may close if they have nothing to sell - especially on Mondays. But if you're in luck, you're in for a treat!
This place is amazing - an absolute treat for a splash out dinner. It is set in a deer park, just outside the village of Gunton, just off the main road.
This is proper English country cooking. Personally I can't pass up the pies but the roasts are spectacular and on weekdays, steaks are cooked on the huge open fire in the centre of the restaurant. A destination restaurant. Book massively in advance (but if there are only two of you you might be able to sneak in at around 9 ish!)
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The Gunton Arms
This place is amazing - an absolute treat for a splash out dinner. It is set in a deer park, just outside the village of Gunton, just off the main road.
This is proper English country cooking. Personally I can't pass up the pies but the roasts are spectacular and on weekdays, steaks are cooked on the huge open fire in the centre of the restaurant. A destination restaurant. Book massively in advance (but if there are only two of you you might be able to sneak in at around 9 ish!)
This is a popular local pub with decent pub grub, cask ales and an open fire in winter. It also has a garden and pub games - snooker and darts. Nice atmosphere.
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Vernon Arms Southrepps
2 Church StThis is a popular local pub with decent pub grub, cask ales and an open fire in winter. It also has a garden and pub games - snooker and darts. Nice atmosphere.
Despite the photo, this is the place for cream teas. Set in a light and airy barn conversion on the riverside in Coltishall, while away a rainy afternoon with tea, home made cakes and a newspaper. Perfect.
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A Piece Of Cake
Church CloseDespite the photo, this is the place for cream teas. Set in a light and airy barn conversion on the riverside in Coltishall, while away a rainy afternoon with tea, home made cakes and a newspaper. Perfect.
This is exactly what I want - a cosy, dog friendly pub with excellent food and views across the marshes to the sea - a must for a lazy lunch
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Dun Cow Salthouse
Purdy StreetThis is exactly what I want - a cosy, dog friendly pub with excellent food and views across the marshes to the sea - a must for a lazy lunch
Michelin starred - this is a splash out place but amazing for a special occasion
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The Ingham Swan
Sea Palling RoadMichelin starred - this is a splash out place but amazing for a special occasion
Mediterranean food and tapas - highly recommended by our neighbours! (Maybe it's the cocktails? ;)
Suffield Arms
Mediterranean food and tapas - highly recommended by our neighbours! (Maybe it's the cocktails? ;)
Where to buy food
The best place to buy crab is the crab shack in Overstrand. It's just a little place, beyond the Cliff Top cafe, down by the sea, but when Andrew has sea food, it's the best crab I've had anywhere in the world. Excellent lobster too.
Availability is subject to local weather and fishing conditions. Go in the morning as they run out by the afternoon.
Okay, not the most glamorous place to shop but you'll get all the basics at a good price and it's the closest supermarket to the house.
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Morrisons
Holt RoadOkay, not the most glamorous place to shop but you'll get all the basics at a good price and it's the closest supermarket to the house.
...but I tend to go to Waitrose. It's probably best to pick up supplies on your way in...
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Waitrose & Partners
Church Lane...but I tend to go to Waitrose. It's probably best to pick up supplies on your way in...
I've spent a day going round local farm shops and this is my firm favourite. They are very friendly and the supply of stunningly fresh fruit and vegetables is inspiring for a keen amateur cook like me - likewise their meat - all farm fresh and delicious.
There is also a garden centre, fabric shop and cafe on site.
Groveland Farm Shop
Thorpe Market RoadI've spent a day going round local farm shops and this is my firm favourite. They are very friendly and the supply of stunningly fresh fruit and vegetables is inspiring for a keen amateur cook like me - likewise their meat - all farm fresh and delicious.
There is also a garden centre, fabric shop and cafe on site.
What to do
The North Norfolk coast has spectacular wildlife. A lovely thing to do is to go on a seal watching boat trip to Blakeney Point. In the winter you'll get to see seal pups. Blakeney is a gorgeous brick and flint village with countless pubs and restaurants, crabbing for the kids and walks across the marshes.
Crowded in summer, but there's a friendly atmosphere.
Beans Seal Trips Blakeney
The North Norfolk coast has spectacular wildlife. A lovely thing to do is to go on a seal watching boat trip to Blakeney Point. In the winter you'll get to see seal pups. Blakeney is a gorgeous brick and flint village with countless pubs and restaurants, crabbing for the kids and walks across the marshes.
Crowded in summer, but there's a friendly atmosphere.
There are lots of stunning gardens to visit - Sandringham being an obvious choice, but also check out the Old Vicarage in East Ruston, Felbrigg Hall, Fairhaven Woodland and water garden.
The garden centre in Overstrand is gorgeous and well worth a browse if you'd like to take some plants home with you!
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Sandringham
There are lots of stunning gardens to visit - Sandringham being an obvious choice, but also check out the Old Vicarage in East Ruston, Felbrigg Hall, Fairhaven Woodland and water garden.
The garden centre in Overstrand is gorgeous and well worth a browse if you'd like to take some plants home with you!
My favourite beach is the one between Trimmingham and Mundesley. You have to sneak down a road just next to the Mundsley village sign. You can walk to it along the coast path but if you're impatient, you can park along a narrow road just above the beach.
Last summer, the temperature was 31 degrees, I walked about 50m along the beach and was completely alone. The water was gin clear (this whole area is blue flagged) and a perfect coolness. Don't tell anyone!
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Mundesley Beach
9 Beach RdMy favourite beach is the one between Trimmingham and Mundesley. You have to sneak down a road just next to the Mundsley village sign. You can walk to it along the coast path but if you're impatient, you can park along a narrow road just above the beach.
Last summer, the temperature was 31 degrees, I walked about 50m along the beach and was completely alone. The water was gin clear (this whole area is blue flagged) and a perfect coolness. Don't tell anyone!
Cromer is a classic Victorian seaside town, which prides itself on having a predominance of independent shops and cafes. It's a lovely place to browse, eat and walk. Go down Garden street and walk down to the pier. The beach is pretty and there are plenty of things to catch your eye.
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Cromer Beach
Cromer is a classic Victorian seaside town, which prides itself on having a predominance of independent shops and cafes. It's a lovely place to browse, eat and walk. Go down Garden street and walk down to the pier. The beach is pretty and there are plenty of things to catch your eye.
Driving west from Cromer you'll pass a ribbon of picture perfect villages, windmills, wide expanses of beach and places to stop and explore. Cley, Holt, Salthouse, Blakeney, Wells are all worth checking out. Inevitably they are crowded at weekends and in summer, so for peace and quiet head east to Mundesley or inland.
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Cley next the Sea
Driving west from Cromer you'll pass a ribbon of picture perfect villages, windmills, wide expanses of beach and places to stop and explore. Cley, Holt, Salthouse, Blakeney, Wells are all worth checking out. Inevitably they are crowded at weekends and in summer, so for peace and quiet head east to Mundesley or inland.