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4 Cromer
Norfolk; NR27 0AH
A resort of note since the 18th century,
Cromer is best known for its delicious
crabs. From April to September, boats
ply to and from crab banks out to sea,
landing the local delicacy. Along the
front, tall Victorian houses look out to
the ocean, over the sand-and-shingle
beach. Overlooking the beach stands
the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum (closed
Mon; Dec & Jan) offering an interesting
history of the RNLI and a cake in the
café upstairs. The pier’s Pavilion
Theatre still hosts traditional end-of-
the-pier shows. In town, the tower of
St Peter and St Paul Church soars to a
stunning 49 m (160 ft) and may be
climbed at certain times for
breathtaking views over the area.
ª Head west on A149 to West Runton.5 West Runton
Norfolk; NR27 9QH
This attractive village is home to the
Hillside Animal and Shire Horse
Sanctuary (Jun–Aug: open Sun–Fri; Apr–
May, Sep–Oct: open Sun–Thu: closed
winter; http://www.hillside.org.uk). The rescued
animals include some magnificent
heavy work horses, ponies, pigs,
cattle, goats, alpacas, rabbits, ducks
and hens – many of them up for
“adoption” (sponsorship). There’s
much to delight young children, and
the wonderful collection of old carts,
farm machinery and wooden caravans,
will occupy older minds.
ª Keep west on A149 to Sheringham.WHERE TO STAYCROMER
Cliftonville Hotel moderate
Enjoy sea views in this Edwardian hotel –
there’s a good restaurant, open to non-
residents – with a fine minstrels’ gallery.
Seafront, NR27 9AS; 01263 512 543;
http://www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk
AROUND SHERINGHAM
Dales Country House Hotel expensive
Twenty good ensuite rooms are on offer
here, in a former rectory in grounds by
Sheringham Park, on B1157 south.
Lodge Hill, Upper Sheringham,
NR26 8TJ; 01263 824 555;
http://www.dalescountryhouse.co.uk
WEYBOURNE
Weybourne Forest Lodges moderate
Well-equipped, comfortable lodges in
in a delightful sylvan setting.
Sandy Hill Lane, NR25 7HW; 01263 588
440; http://www.weybourneforestlodges.co.uk
CLEY-NEXT-THE-SEA
Cley Windmill
This lovely mill offers B&B or self-catering
facilities and enjoy home-cooked dinner
by candlelight in the dining room.
Cley Windmill, NR25 7RP; 01263 740
209; http://www.cleymill.co.uk
AROUND BLAKENEY
Morston Hall expensive
A luxurious Jacobean manor house with
great sea views and tip-top food.
Morston, Holt, NR25 7AA (12km/7miles
on the A149); 01263 741 041;
http://www.morstonhall.comBelow Traditional seaside pier with theatre
at Cromer beachAbove left Historic station on the North Norfolk Railway Poppy Line, Sheringham Above top right Horse
grazing at the Hillside Animal and Shire Horse Sanctuary Above right Rhododendrons at Sheringham ParkBACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £1506 Sheringham
Norfolk; NR26 8RA
A former fishing village, Sheringham is
now a thriving, very English holiday
resort, with clifftop gardens, arcades
and golden sands. Its situation on the
Norfolk Coast Path makes the resort
an ideal base for walkers. From the
A149 follow signs to Sheringham Park
(mid-Mar–Sep: open daily; Oct: open Wed–
Sun; Nov–mid-Mar: open Sat & Sun), with
paths through parks and National Trust
gardens landscaped by Humphry
Repton (1752–1818). Take a trip by
steam or vintage diesel train on the
North Norfolk Railway Poppy Line
(Jun–Sep: open daily; check at otherBOAT TRIPS
For trips to Blakeney Point to see
the seal and seabird colonies, try
Beans Boats (01263 740 038; http://www.
beansboattrips.co.uk) or Temples
Seal Trips (01263 740 791; http://www.
sealtrips.co.uk) at Morston Quay or
Bishops Boats (01263 740 753; http://www.
bishopsboats.com) at Blakeney Quay.