Cottages in Norfolk

Where Norfolk's cottages are

BritStays lists 952 cottages across Norfolk, and most sit in a handful of places. Happisburgh has the most, with 82. Cromer follows with 71 and North Walsham with 65. Hunstanton, Horning and Fakenham have 62 each, Great Yarmouth has 58 and Wroxham has 54. That spread lets you choose between the coast, the Broads and quieter inland towns, so decide what kind of break you want before you start comparing cottages.

Coast, Broads or countryside?

Each part of the county suits a different kind of trip.

• The coast: Happisburgh, Cromer, Hunstanton, Great Yarmouth and Winterton-on-Sea suit you if you want to be by the sea. In Cromer, Southbank and River View both sleep 4. Beach Bungalow in Great Yarmouth and Sandy Den in Winterton-on-Sea also sleep 4, so the coastal examples lean towards couples and small families. Only 3 cottages in the set list sea views, so if a view matters to you, confirm it with the owner rather than assuming.
• The Broads: Horning and Wroxham give you a base for the Norfolk Broads. The examples include two cottages in Brundall: The White One in the Middle, which sleeps 6, and The Green One On The End, which sleeps 2.
• Inland towns: Fakenham and North Walsham have plenty of choice. In Fakenham there's Clevency Cottages - Vine Cottage (sleeps 2), Clevency Cottages - Rose Cottage (sleeps 4) and The Old Laundry (sleeps 4). North Walsham has The Beehive (sleeps 2), Mark's Cottage (sleeps 4) and Landers Mews (sleeps 6).

Families, couples, groups and dogs

Most of the example cottages sleep between 2 and 6, which suits couples and families well. For a couple, look at places like Clevency Cottages - Vine Cottage, The Beehive or The Green One On The End. If you're a family of four, there are more options, from Rose Cottage in Fakenham to Beach Bungalow on the coast.

Big groups have fewer choices. The two largest examples are Larks Rise in Norwich and Walnut Tree House in Kings Lynn, and each sleeps 10. If you're planning a multi-generation get-together, start looking early.

Dog owners should be careful. Only 9 of the 952 cottages are flagged as pet friendly in our facility data. Some others may well accept dogs without saying so. Always check the house rules, and any extra charge, before you pay.

Getting there and getting around

Public transport is one of the most commonly listed features in Norfolk:

• 472 cottages are near a bus stop.
• 240 are near a train station.
• 402 have EV charging nearby.

Only 3 have EV charging on site, so electric car drivers should plan their top-ups. Mark's Cottage in North Walsham ticks all three boxes: bus stop, train station and EV charging nearby. That makes it a handy pick if you're arriving by rail or in an electric car.

Parking appears on just 14 listings and WiFi on 10. That probably means many owners simply haven't listed these facilities, rather than that they're missing. Either way, ask before you book if you need either one.

What to do once you're there

Norfolk has a good mix of days out, so choose a few that suit your group:

• For younger children: BeWILDerwood in Wroxham, Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Great Yarmouth, Pleasurewood Hills and Pleasure Beach.
• For history lovers: Sandringham House and East Barsham Manor, plus several museums. The Muckleburgh Military Collection and Sheringham Museum at The Mo are listed under Cromer. The 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum is in Norwich, and the 95th Bomb Group Red Feather Club is over the border in Suffolk.
• For quieter days: Sheringham Park, Horsey Windpump, the waterways of the Norfolk Broads, and Woodbastwick Forge in Wroxham.
• Further afield: Africa Alive at Southwold makes a longer day trip.

Check opening days and booking requirements for each attraction before you travel, because these can change through the year.

When to book

We can't promise availability, but a few patterns are worth knowing.

• Large cottages: Book these as early as you can. Places that sleep 10, like Larks Rise and Walnut Tree House, are scarce compared with the many cottages for 2 to 4 people.
• Pet-friendly cottages: With so few flagged, book early and get written confirmation that your dog is welcome.
• School holidays: If you're tied to them, book well ahead.
• Flexible dates: You'll usually have more choice, especially in the busiest areas such as Happisburgh, Cromer and North Walsham.

Before you pay, check the sleeping arrangements and parking. If they matter to you, also confirm WiFi, dog rules and how close the nearest bus stop or station really is.