Northrepps, Cromer and surrounding area

The Old Post Office is in the centre of Northrepps, a small village situated just three miles south of Cromer. Northrepps is in a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is an ideal location to explore the fabulous North Norfolk coast or the Norfolk Broads, one of England's National Parks, where you can hire day boats to explore these wonderful waterways.

Northrepps itself is a historic village. For starters, it is the seat of the Gurney family, founders of what became Barclays Bank. Whilst staying in Northrepps, Henry Rolls of Rolls Royce fame designed his famous car radiator grille. Also, in 1830, the Gallas Plough was developed here. The village sign depicts these events.

The family history of the Gurneys and Northrepps can be found in the book, The Northrepps Grandchildren.

If you're into walking, just 20 minutes away via footpath is the coastal village of Overstrand with its sandy beach and magnificent cliffs. Further around the coast you'll find many other great walks; eastwards you can trek the Salthouse and Cley marshes a popular haunt for bird watchers and a further west, you can explore the dunes of Holkham Beach. Closer to home, there's the National Trust Estates of Blicking Hall and Felbrigg, both of which are open all year round (houses open during season only).

Drive west on the coast road and you'll come across some wonderful villages and towns. Of particular note is Cley with it's famous windmill. This is probably the most photographed and painted structure in North Norfolk. Situated on the edge of the great flats, Cley offers a warm welcome to visitors and is a great place to start a bird watching trail.

From the cottage, head east and you'll soon come across the fabulous coastal villages of Mundesley (see St Cecilia's), Bacton (where you'll find another of our holiday cottages - Garth Cottage), and Happisburgh which hosts the only independently run lighthouse in the country.

The coast around here offers stunning sandy beaches and you'll not have to travel far to find a more secluded spot to be on your own. A little further west and you're at Sea Palling - a village that was seriously damaged during the 1953 storms. The sand dunes between here and Winterton are quite spectacular.

Back in the cottage, just open the front door, walk a few paces across the road and have a drink in the Foundry Arms where you'll receive a warm welcome.