INDIE OF THE MONTH
THE GROVE CROMER HOME FROM HOME
Family-run since 1936, this picturesque bolthole on the Norfolk coast boasts beachside access, homegrown produce and an atmosphere that will make you feel right at home
WORDS BY PHOEBE HARPER
A n ivy-clad Georgian country house fringed by verdant trees, with the rolling coastline just a stone’s throw away, the setting of The Grove Cromer is nothing short of idyllic. It’s unsurprising, then, that the house has stayed within the same family after taking over in 1936. A four-star hotel that provides award-winning accommodation, including self-catering holiday cottages, B&B rooms in the house itself and even glamping, today The Grove is overseen by brothers Richard and Chris Graveling. Following in the footsteps of their parents – and their grandparents – they continue the proud family legacy of running the house and its four-acre grounds as B&B accommodation, adding their own unique, modern twists. Ever since taking over in 2014, the brothers have expanded The Grove’s two AA Rosette on-site restaurant, establishing a hard-won reputation as an award-winning destination by working with local suppliers and homegrown produce, with the majority of its vegetables plucked straight from the hotel grounds. “A lot of our produce comes straight from the garden that very day,” explains Chris.
In recent years, six self-catering holiday cottages have also been introduced in converted farm buildings, in addition to improvements made to the hotel’s popular heated indoor swimming pool, and the installation of five Mongolian glamping yurts. “Just behind our glamping tents, you will find a path that delivers you straight to the beach in just five minutes,” Chris enthuses. Residents and locals alike can also now enjoy holistic massages from a cosy cabin in the hotel’s ‘Secret Garden’ at The Massage Hut. Finally, the aftermath of Covid-19 saw the introduction of the striking Sundown Restaurant – a tipi space that hosts various events, including stone- baked pizza and tapas nights. While moving with the times and expanding the hotel’s offerings to guests, both Chris and Richard stay true to the traditional characteristics of the house that have continued its appeal for staying guests. This is the case both for its past 87 years as a B&B, and beyond to its esteemed heritage as a country getaway, going as far back as when the property was a rural retreat owned by the Barclay banking family. Indeed, for Chris, the house’s unique feel is its greatest advantage.
GROVE GROWN Many of the vegetables served in the restaurant have been picked in the garden that day
“It has this lovely atmosphere, like a real family home that is cosy and intimate, rather than a large country pile,” he says. “So many people have commented that they walk in and feel like they’re at home.” This ambience comes to the fore as the house is dressed for Christmas, preparing to welcome guests for the festive season. A host of celebrations are on the agenda – not to mention Christmas comedy events and a New Year’s Eve party set up in the Sundown Restaurant. Chris anticipates that the introduction of new tours of The Grove, led by himself and his brother, will make for the perfect Christmas present as an introduction to the house, which has been a home to welcome guests for many generations in the past – and countless more to come.
Visit thegrovecromer.co.uk to find out more and book your coastal getaway today
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK DECEMBER 2023 71
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