Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast
Cromwell Cottage is a 17th century cottage reputed to be the oldest surviving building in Fakenham. Named as it is reputed that Cromwell's troops stayed here in the civil war.
At over 400 years old, the property is packed with character, including beams, inglenooks and original oak panelling in the hallway and master bedroom, it also features several witches marks carved onto the beams hundreds of years ago, near doorways, windows and fireplaces to ward off any evil spirits. We challenge you to find them all!
It has now been converted into a cosy holiday home, sleeping 4+2 with all the amenities you expect for a relaxing break. Featuring Egyptian cotton linens, spa-quality towels, a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and the all-important Nespresso coffee machine!
We also have a beach hut situated on the beautiful Wells next the sea beach, a 15min drive away from the cottage, this can be rented by the day by guests at preferential rates - enquire for more details.
The cottage has recently undergone a series of renovations and now features a brand new high-spec kitchen, integrated appliances and quartz worktops
The lounge has an original feature fireplace with a modern wood-burning stove. Wood, kindling and firelighters are provided. There are Smart TVs in the lounge and bedrooms. All have access to Sky Sports package through NOW TV app as well as Prime TV and Netflix.
The property has 2 large bedrooms. The master bedroom on the first floor is approx 275 sqft with a king size bed. Due to the rooms large size, there are also 2 single chair beds that can be made up as singles, or as another king bed, and there is a screen to provide some privacy - perfect for children or a girls weekend! The main shower room is on this floor.
Note: If you are wanting to use sofa bed for 4 people and under, then an additional linens fee is chargeable at £36 per stay. If 5+ people staying, the linens fee is built into the pricing.
The second floor has also been recently renovated, it must be noted that it is up a narrow staircase with limited head room, but opens up into a spacious room. This room has a kingsize bed with a brand new ensuite shower room
We welcome well-behaved pooches, and there is a secure garden perfect for relaxing.
Positioned right in the heart of Fakenham, known as the gateway to Norfolk due to its easy reach of coastal towns and villages such as Wells-next-the-sea, Holkham, Brancaster, Burnham Market, Holt, Cromer and Sheringham, which are all between 15-30min drive, Cromwell Cottage is the perfect base for a relaxing Norfolk escape.
Please note, due to its age, whilst the property has stunning 9-12ft ceilings on the ground and first floor, the staircases are very steep and there is reduced height access at the top floor on entering the room and then separating the bedroom and ensuite. This may make it unsuitable for those with reduced mobility and young children
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
FAR BARN, pet friendly, country holiday cottage in Fakenham
Fakenham
FAR BARN, pet friendly, country holiday cottage in Fakenham
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Note as the house is 400yrs+ there are uneven floors, staircase to the attic bedroom is very steep and may not be suitable for restricted mobility
Important information
You need to know
Property # 10842236
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Fakenham
Located in Fakenham, this holiday home is by the sea. Whin Hill Cider and Strikes Bowling are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Woad Centre and Mid-Norfolk Railway - County School Station. Wells and Walsingham Light Railway and Natural Surroundings are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with power boating and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham - 13 min drive - 11.0 km
Norfolk Coast - 17 min drive - 16.2 km
Houghton Hall - 23 min drive - 22.2 km
Holkham Hall - 27 min drive - 24.6 km
Getting around
Mid-Norfolk Railway Dereham - 28 min drive
Norwich (NWI-Norwich Intl.) - 43 min drive
Restaurants
Sculthorpe Mill - 5 min drive
McDonalds - 17 min walk
The Limes (Wetherspoon) - 2 min walk
Costa Coffee - 2 min walk
Shapes Restaurant - 5 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast?
As of 18 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast on 31 May 2026 start from NZ$571, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Dog-Friendly historic cottage and beach hut at the gateway to the Norfolk coast located?
Situated by the sea, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Pensthorpe Natural Park, The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and Norfolk Coast. Woad Centre and Mid-Norfolk Railway - County School Station are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Very attractive and cosy historic accommodation. Beds very comfortable, decor was lovely. Charming courtyard for meals and coffee etc. Host was readily available to smooth over any checking in issues. As a whole house, it was extremely good value for money.
We arrived fairly late…but as soon as we opened the front door, the heating had been put on and a fire had been lit, plus a beautiful Christmas tree was up x very welcoming
Thank you for a wonderful few days in a beautiful house
A short stay to explore the Norfolk coast. I loved the attention to detail and decor of the cottage. If you like historic buildings then this place is for you! The top floor room has an old beam across it and is a struggle to get into but the kids liked it so that was a win.
The cottage is quite dark inside and just enough social space for two adults and two kids. The courtyard garden is lovely and a great sun trap. Thanks for having us.
After mastering the locking mechanism we were very pleased with the whole property, which was quaint and full of history. Beautifully furnished and well appointed, centre of Fakenham.
Only downside, which we knew, was the steepness of the stairs! Easily managed though!
We enjoyed our stay at Cromwell cottage, using it as a base to tour Norfolk. Clean, comfortable with garden area and with the sun shining for us, the garden was a great place to chill over a glass of wine, or was it two?
Most streaming services on the TV was an added bonus, as was the welcome pack and local attraction details. Communication with Jodie was excellent and downloading the app to link door entry to our phones was a doddle. Recommend the cottage for a peaceful and quiet stay. The stairs are steep as others have said but not a problem if you can walk freely.
Fakenham isn't the prettiest of Norfolk towns but we were there for market day (Thursday) and that was worth a stroll around. Book sale in the local church on market day had some great bargains. Local pubs fair to middling though food at Sculthorpe Mill was very good, but pricey £24 (for the rump steak which was beautifully cooked and very tender). Local chippy very good if you fancy eating in.
One warning if you're over 6 foot, be careful walking through the cottage doors. It's a case of duck or grouse and I did three times. Whether the grousing knocked any sense into me remains to be seen :-)
Perfect base for exploring North Norfolk. Characterful property. Ideal for 2 but there is a compromise to consider if there are 4. The staircase to the attic room is as steep as a ladder and the access to the en suite in that room is under a beam which is not much higher than 4 ft 6". That's the only potential downside to be aware of. The outside space is very nice.
The cottage was delightful and a lovely base for the area, close to local amenities and surrounded by glorious countryside and not far from the amazing beaches.
What a great cottage. Quirky and historic but with all the amenities of a modern house. Welcome pack was lovely. Location excellent for touring North Norfolk. Beds extremely comfortable, TV was great. Communications with Jodie were great. The only thing I could suggest is two people being able to use the key code app. Thanks for a wonderful stay.
Small but perfect little house, teaming with character but still with all the mod cons integrated. Pubs and shops on your doorstep yet the only sound you hear in the courtyard garden is the birds singing. Sun most of the day makes it great for breakfast or an afternoon glass of wine. The fully equipped kitchen was beautiful, as was the whole house, only minor minus is that the top floor bedroom is a little challenging, you need to be fairly fit as there is a lot of bending involved and the bed is not full length, therefore better for shorter people. That said it is a novelty and provided us with many giggles. I would 100% recommend this house, a real treasure and am so glad we found it.
It’s hard to think how this could be better. We were in a car so had to pay for parking, which was a 1 minute walk away so hardly an issue, and that’s the only negative thing I could think of. It’s a lovely, quirky and charming building, super clean, nothing is tired and the outdoor space was great for our Poodle. It’s a wonderful place to stay in a lovely part of the world. Oh, and being able to unlock the front door with the app was easy, and meant we didn’t have to worry about door keys at all.
Wonderful stay here over Christmas. Well equipped kitchen, very comfortable and cosy beds, the living room was tastefully decorated for Christmas, so a great atmosphere. Enough comfortable seating for four adults. The cottage is historic, so uneven floors, steep stairs and low beams are part of the character!
Hosts were helpful, friendly and approachable, and provided all the information we needed. Highly recommended.
We had the most wonderful stay at Cromwell Cottage. Everything from the minute we booked it and spoke to Jodie, to when we got to the cottage - it was everything we could have wished for. Couldn’t recommend this cottage more! Beautifully decorated, clean, cosy, great location, and super easy to chat to Jodie throughout our stay if we needed anything! Thanks so much!
The cottage was clean comfortable and well equipped with nice quality bedding towels etc. A lovely garden area to rear. Check in process was made easy by regular contact by Jodie. It is close to the local amenities all being in walking distance. Links to coast were close and easily accessible. Overall a lovely cottage well presented and updated without losing the character.
Excellent cottage well situated for North Norfolk beaches & villages etc.
Interesting building, lovely back yard for breakfast. Very amenable hosts, good taste of decor. Recommended
Characterful historic cottage with the main bedroom one of the best I’ve ever stayed in - comfortable, quiet and stylish. Well-equipped kitchen and lovely welcome treats - thank you Jodie. Great access to different bits of coast and we enjoyed the market in Fakenham on Thursday. Weather didn’t allow us to enjoy eating in the garden as much as we’d have liked to!
Kathy G.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 29 August 2021
Thanks for your kind words Kathy, we're glad you enjoyed all of our cottage's quirky features! Thank you for choosing to stay with us.
About the host
Hosted by Jodie Stephenson
We are Jodie & John and our labradoodle Sibylla. Jodie is a business and marketing consultant and John is an Engineering director, we have a love for travel, good food and fun times with family and friends - including our furry ones! This is what has led to us buying a holiday home in Norfolk and we now hope to be able to share that with you.
Why they chose this property
We fell in love with this property the moment we saw it, it has such a charm and you can feel the history. It is the oldest house in Fakenham and is on the Heritage trail.
What makes this property unique
Anyone who owns a house that's 400 years old will tell you they are a labour of love, and we are only starting out on that journey. It is full of quirks and surprises, if you are looking for perfectly straight walls, and floors, then this is not the property for you, but if you want something with a story and a soul, we think you will love this place. Our aim is to carefully restore it bit by bit..it will take us some time, but we can't wait to get started. We know there is a huge inglenook in the kitchen just waiting to be exposed... that is our next project and we hope to be able to share the journey with you.