Our stay at the Cliftonville Hotel Cromer #ad
The Cliftonville Hotel
You could imagine The Cliftonville Hotel as a setting for an Enid Blyton novel. The hotel sits high on the west cliffs of Cromer, overlooking the North Sea. The rooms were once used as a boarding house – but after an upgrade from Architect George John Skipper (who was to Norwich what Gaudi was to Barcelona), the building was transformed into a leading Edwardian hotel. Most of what Skipper added remains today – the Arts and Crafts style façade, the grand wooden main staircase, stained glass windows and a classic Minstrels Gallery.
The hotel now has 30 individually decorated en-suite bedrooms – all with spectacular sea views. My husband walked in and immediately commented that this was the type of place he holidayed in as a child!
Stunning Edwardian features
One of the best parts of staying at the Cliftonville Hotel is admiring all it’s original features. Our room had a high grand ceiling with decorative mouldings and an original fireplace with a gorgeous fireplace surround. But best of all is the old windows, accented in stained glass, that give stunning views out to Cromer’s seaside and famous Victorian Pier.
The hotel needs a lick of paint here and there, but that’s all part of the charm. My girls quickly decided that they were going on a digital detox (though they didn’t need to, there’s reliable wifi throughout the hotel) and live like Edwardian children. That lasted about 5 minutes!
Dining: Bolton’s Bistro
Bolton’s Bistro is located in the hotel and it’s famous for its seafood – especially Cromer Crab! It’s open to both guests and non-residents, and has a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Bolton’s specialises in fresh fish dishes including the world-renowned Cromer crab, locally caught lobster and local mussels. The menu also offers seasonal salads, steaks and a variety of meat dishes with an extensive choice of imaginative vegetarian options.
Breakfast at the Cliftonville Hotel
The Cliftonville Hotel serves a classic full English breakfast in the Westcliffe, a beautiful room that overlooks the sea. It even has a Minstrel’s Gallery! The food is a very high standard, and a highlight of each day!
In walking distance of Cromer
The hotel’s location makes it easy to walk into Cromer. It’s literally a 5-minute walk down a seaside promenade. During the colder months, if the wind is off the land, the cliffs protect the beach below keeping it tranquil.
There’s lots to see: Cromer Pier, Lifeboat Station and Pavilion Theatre where there’s an end of year show. Cromer’s streets and alleys are crammed with independent shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes. It’s has a sort of retro feel vide.
Winter in Norfolk is a bit special. It’s not always quieter at New Year, but the rest of the time it’s usually much less populated on walks, so you can be treated to some fabulous uninterrupted scenery!
Dinner at No. Cromer
For dinner on our first night, we walked down to No. 1 Cromer, Galton Blackison’s latest restaurant. Downstairs is the best fish and chips in Cromer, and upstairs is a trendy new small plates restaurant. We ate upstairs and for starters had a combination of 3 small plates: Popcorn cockles with spiced salt and chili vinegar, Pork Belly Tacos (pork belly, pineapple and sweetcorn salsa, chili sauce and pork scratching) and Steamed Prawn Dumplings with a soy and ginger dipping sauce. For mains we had Seafood Ramen (as recommended by Jay Raynor in the Observer) We also had Spiced Lamb Kofta and Katsu Plaice. It was a memorable meal and just a short walk from the hotel.
Easy base to explore North Norfolk Coast
Cromer is an easy base to explore the North Norfolk Coast. Just jump on the Coasthopper which will take you places like Cley, Blakeney, Holkham, Wells-next-to-Sea all the way up to Hunstanton. Or just drive, it’s about 40 minutes to Wells and Holkham, and there are so many things to see in between!
Watch our video! The Modern family goes to Cromer!
IF YOU GO
This is Cromer website https://www.thisiscromer.co.uk
The Cliftonville Hotel, 29 Runton Rd, Cromer NR27 9AS +44 01263 512543 https://www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk
Boltons Bistro Restaurant Alfred Rd, Cromer NR27 9AS +44 01263 512543 https://www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk/boltons-bistro
No. 1 Cromer 1 New St, Cromer NR27 9HP +44 01263 515983 https://www.no1cromer.com
Moreston Hall The St, Holt NR25 7AA +44 01263 741041 https://www.morstonhall.com
RNLI Cromer Lifeboat Station, Cromer Pier, The Esplanade, Cromer NR27 9HE, England https://www.cromerrnli.org.uk
Cromer Pier Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9HE +44 01263 512495 cromer-pier.com
No.1 Cromer 1 New Street, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9HP +44 01263 512316 no1cromer.com
Beans Boat Trips Morston Quay, Morston, Norfolk NR25 7AA +44 01263 740038 beansboattrips.co.uk
Cley Marshes Visitor Centre Cley next the Sea, Holt NR25 7SA +44 01263 740008 https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves/reserves/cley-marshes
Blakeney to Stiffkey Coastal Walk, Norfolk https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve/trails/blakeney-to-stiffkey-coastal-walk
Wells-next-the-Sea Beach Cafe Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1DR +44 01328 713055 https://www.holkham.co.uk/stay-eat/beach-cafe
Joules of Wells Beach Beach Rd, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1DR 07392 198102 https://www.joules.com/store-locator/store/joules-of-wells-beach
Sheringham Park Wood Farm, Sheringham NR26 8TL nationaltrust.org.uk
North Norfolk Railway Station Approach, Sheringham Station, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA + 44 01263 820800 nnrailway.co.uk
Felbrigg Hall Felbrigg, Norwich NR11 8PR +44 01263 837444 OPEN SAT 10 am https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate
Blickling Blickling, Norwich NR11 6NF https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate
Sandringham Estate Sandringham PE35 6EN https://www.sandringhamestate.co.uk/
Pin it for later: A winter weekend at the Cliftonville Hotel
Disclosure: Our stay at The Cliftonville Hotel was provided for the purpose of this review. All opinions remain my own.
Luke - The Handy Squad | 8th Mar 19
This looks lovely, I’m jealous! I want to see this place for myself, it looks just wonderful. Take care, Luke
Emma Raphael | 1st Mar 19
I love Norfolk, Cromer is so gorgeous. Can you imagine the stories that building could tell? x
Katja Gaskell | 1st Mar 19
It totally looks like the setting for an Enid Blyton adventure! I love quirky hotels like this, I always feel like they have so many stories to tell. I’m also coveting one of those colourful sea huts!
Claire at Tin Box Traveller | 1st Mar 19
I love all that stained glass. Original features add so much character to a place like this. It’s good they have been preserved. Love the video. It looks like a great place to stay for a winter short break.
Sam | North East Family Fun Travel Blog | 28th Feb 19
It looks like a fab base for a proper family break. I love the original features and your breakfast looks delicious. Those beach huts are super cute too. I love taking boat trips to see the seals – they’re always so friendly and inquisitive.
Jenny | 28th Feb 19
Those stained glass window are beautiful. This place sounds like it’s oozing with history, harking back to the traditional sea side holiday (but with WiFi!) Would love to visit!
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) | 28th Feb 19
Bookworms looks amazing! I love spending time in shops like that. And you had me from the first sentence about the Cliftonville. I’m reading Malory Towers with my two and the moment, and I know they’d love it 🙂
Cathy (Mummytravels) | 28th Feb 19
What amazing stained glass! And how lovely to stay somewhere with such history, it makes it feel as if you’re getting a taste of an Edwardian escape (with Wi-Fi!), perfect for somewhere as traditional as Norfolk.
Kathy@DavesTravelCorner | 23rd Feb 19
I always love those hotels that are overlooking to the sea. It makes me peaceful and calm. Surely, Cliftonville Hotel Cromer will be on my list to visit.