Life has been a bit full-on lately — the kind of busy that creeps up quietly and then suddenly feels like a lot. Work, life, the usual juggling act. So last weekend gave us the perfect excuse to hit pause for a moment and breathe.
Gandalf passed his MOT, which felt like a small victory worth celebrating. Naturally, we took that as our sign to escape for a cheeky night away at one of our all-time favourite spots: Sandy Gulls Caravan Park near Cromer.
We were treated to one of those rare, golden stretches of weather with blue skies, warm sunshine, and that crisp coastal air that seems to clear your head within minutes. After both feeling a bit under the weather recently, it was exactly what we needed. Nothing fancy, no packed itinerary, just simple, easy and relaxed moments.
We started with a walk along the beach and a couple of drinks in the Ship Inn with its marvellous beer garden, before catching the bus to Cromer, settling in for a long, lazy stretch on the pier. A drink in hand at the pavilion bar, watching the waves roll in, and indulging in a bit of top-tier people watching. There’s something about seaside towns that makes slowing down feel completely natural.
Sandy Gulls has become a bit of a reset button for us over time. It’s adults-only, which keeps things peaceful, and it sits right on the Norfolk Coast Path — perfect for those aimless walks where you don’t really care where you end up. The sea view pitches are some of the best we’ve come across.
Everything you need is within easy reach too. A short stroll takes you to The Ship Inn for a cosy meal or a drink, and the Coast Hopper bus conveniently stops just outside, making it easy to head into Cromer or explore a bit further along the coast without needing to move the van.
And sometimes, it’s the simple comforts that make all the difference — like proper hot showers after a breezy coastal walk. It’s those little touches that turn a good stay into a great one.
We didn’t do much, and that was exactly the point.
Just one night away, but it was enough to reset, recharge, and remind ourselves how important it is to step away every now and then, even if it’s only for a short while.
So now I’m curious — where’s your go-to reset spot when you need a quick escape?
Sounds like you both needed the break.
I have a real soft spot for Mundesley. I have elderly relatives there and as a youngster in the 1970s we spent many happy holidays on the beach there, Cromer and Heacham. My auntie ran the village florist and my uncle was the postman and also lifeboat crew.
Our last visit (in our campervan), we stayed at the Links Campsite. A lovely part of the coast
Now we live on Anglesey, so have beaches and mountains on our doorstep. Our quick getaway however, is the Glan y Môr aire in Fairbourne, the other side of the estuary from Barmouth. It’s a quirky, small seaside village where time seems to have stood still; old wooden holiday homes and caravans handed down to families. The sunsets into the sea are amazing. It’s not far from home but feels like we’re in a different part of the world; in fact we just left there this morning after two nights!
Thanks for sharing your travels.
thanks for your comment! Great to hear your connection to Mundesley. It really is our happy place and we are lucky to only live 1 hour away. Anglesey is very much on our list. We’ve never been and I would love to go! Do you have any recommendations for good places to stay? Small van sites preferable but we’re happy with any!
We’ve not stayed on any of the campsites, but we quite like the north of the island and (attached) ‘Holy Island’ in the NW, with cliffs and coves. The areas around Cemaes Bay, Rhoscolyn and Trearddur Bay are lovely.
Ah I will look at these places – thanks!