For a closeby option, which is merely a brief stroll towards the beach, Cromer Pier and the town centre, our Cromer Sea Cottage is a perfect option. This cottage sleeps 5 across three bedrooms and is pet-friendly too!

For a cottage slightly further inshore, our Whistle Stop Cottage is located within the beautiful rural village of Aldborough, but still a short drive away from the coast. Whistle Stop sleeps six across three bedrooms.

Cromer’s a fantastic holiday destination and we recommend you take a trip to visit.

What is there to do in Cromer with your family?

If family fun is what you’re after then Cromer has a huge choice of arcades, seaside activities, wide sandy beaches, a zoo and much more. Is there anything more enjoyable than being by the sea and playing on a 2p machine? We think not, it’s one of the best childhood traditions.

A zoo is a great day out that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Amazona zoo is close to the town centre and has a good variety of animals from reptiles to big cats. It really is Cromer’s hidden treasure, perfect for entertaining your monkeys.

Don’t worry if it’s raining, there are plenty of indoor activities including a cinema and a pottery painting café that you can visit.

Cromer has a rich history when it comes to fishing and lifeboats, with not one but 2 museums in the town. There is the RNLI Henry Bloggs Museum which focuses on the life of the local lifeboat and then there is the Cromer Museum, which covers the history of the local area. This is a great place for a day out, interesting and educational.

The vast sandy beaches make for a great place for a walk, sandcastle building and relaxing. In 2021 the famous artist Banksy visited the area and sprayed their artwork on a sea wall, making Cromer a sudden hot spot for art and new installations. Across the beach the pier stands strong, it’s over 110 years old and it is the only pier left in Europe which has a show at the end, we highly recommend visiting.

But let’s not forget why you probably chose Cromer in the first place, the beaches. There are plenty of amazing family-friendly beaches nearby!

Where should we eat?

Now if you’re anything like us, activities revolve highly around where to eat. Cromer has an abundance of great independent places to eat and drink. If you’re thinking of casual beachside fish and chips then the best in town has to be both Mary Janes, which was established in 1977 and No 1 which is another traditional fish and chip shop by the sea.

The area is home to the famous Cromer crab and therefore seafood is a real favourite amongst the pubs and cafes, seafood platters from places such as Hot Rocks are a great choice.

Another somewhat busy, alternative is The Bucket List on Hamilton Road. Think buckets of chips covered in a range of toppings and sauces, a firm favourite with children and teenagers. If you’re looking for more ideas, why not check out our article on our favourite places to eat and drink in Cromer?

If you’re a foodie then you certainly won’t be disappointed here!

Events

If you’re thinking about booking a trip in the summer then you may like to time it around their annual carnival week which is hugely popular with both tourists and residents! There is a week-long schedule of a plethora of events, challenges, and fun accumulating in a fireworks display. You also don’t want to miss out on the main carnival day which always falls on the first Wednesday of August. Carnival week really is the best time to visit Cromer if you’re looking for lots to do.

Cromer’s Rich History

The town’s name is believed to have Old English roots, derived from the words “crows’ mere” or “cliff by the sea”.

Traditionally, Cromer was and still is a fishing town. Growing as a fishing station over the centuries, it became a year-round fishery into the 20th century, popular for its crabs and lobsters in the summer, longshore herring in the autumn and primarily cod in the winter.

This pattern of fishing has changed since the 1980s, with it now being almost exclusively crab and lobster fishing. Nowadays, many travel to be able to eat a fresh Cromer Crab.

The arrival of the railway fueled Cromer’s popularity as a holiday destination, and the town’s pier has weathered the years since its construction in 1901 and remains a symbol of Cromer’s enduring appeal.

And the rest…

When it comes to shopping, there are some amazing smaller shops and businesses in the town. There are hidden treasures such as Little Gems, a little stone and gem shop. Antique shops and galleries, traditional seaside towns, curious shops and more. If you choose to stay in Cromer then we’re positive you will find plenty to see, do and eat/drink.

If you’re wanting to stay in Cromer then a self-catering holiday cottage is always a safe bet, and one you will love. We hope you have found this guide to the area useful and we hope to see you visiting soon!