Sundial Cottage

Hotels
Watch House Lane , Norwich , gb

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Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
24-hour front desk
Heating
Garden
Pets allowed
Hiking
BBQ facilities
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Unique accommodation
Friendly host
Cons:
Cold rooms
Difficult to find

Categories

Cleanliness
7.99
Some reviews mention issues like the cold bedroom and sharing garden space, indicating room for improvement.
Service
8.96
Matthew is frequently described as a lovely and helpful host, enhancing the service experience.
Location
9
Multiple reviews highlight the great location by the sea and its proximity to the beach.
Room Quality
8.45
Guests enjoyed the unique room settings like the railway carriage and caravan, but some concerns about cold spaces.
Amenities
8.48
Amenities are noted as decent, though there are mentions of the fridge not working properly.
Value for Money
8.94
Many guests felt they received a good deal given the unique experience and pricing.
Food and Beverage
8.49
No specific feedback on food; considered standard quality for this hotel tier.
Overall Experience
8.46
Overall sentiment is highly positive, with guests appreciating the uniqueness and charm of the stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-23 08:41

Property Description

Unwind by the Sea
Indulge in the serene beachfront setting at Sundial Cottage, just a stone's throw away from popular attractions like Blickling Hall and BeWILDerwood.

Comfort & Convenience
Enjoy complimentary services like private parking, shuttle, and WiFi, along with a 24-hour front desk and shared kitchen for your convenience.

Outdoor Relaxation
Make the most of the warm weather with barbecue facilities, or cozy up near the outdoor fireplace after a day of exploring the nearby cycling trails.

To experience a relaxing beachfront getaway at Sundial Cottage, book now to secure your stay.

Important information:

This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
Managed by a private host
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

Cleanliness: 7.99
Service: 8.96
Location: 9
Room Quality: 8.45
Amenities: 8.48
Value for Money: 8.94
Food and Beverage: 8.49
Overall Experience: 8.46
G
Gronzalska • couple • gb
9
2026-05-29 • via Nuitee
L
Laithascotty • solo_traveller • gb
3
A cave would be more comfortable
Pros:

The location right on the beach in a peaceful spot

Cons:

I wasnt going to leave a review because 1) I didnt actually stay there and 2) the owner refunded my money after i had asked him. But i feel i must write about my experience when i arrived at this cottage as it was not good at all.
Myself and my husky type dog arrived on an absolutely boiling hot day after having driven for 4 hours in it, my dog was very heat stressed, panting hard and i said a few times that i needed to get him out of the sun and get some water, despite this, Matthew insisted on 'talking me through' various points outside such as the steps down to the beach, where the nearest pub was etc, everytime i responded with 'Ok' but he wasnt interested and just kept waffling on until i finally said firmly that I HAD to get the dog in. So that was the first thing that annoyed me.
But it got much worse. Once we went into the cottage which was so cluttered with all his stuff it was hard to even move around he showed me my room and OMG the heat it was like an oven. No windows looking to outside so no air coming in at all, i went out and brought in my portable fan and plugged it in, the whole time Matthew is busy telling me that its not that bad, most people are very happy, its an exceptionally hot day etc etc. Had a quick chat and a cup of tea in the kitchen then i went outside to sit in the relatively cool garden. He has a small and cute caravan, no one was in it and i went inside and sat down for 2 seconds to get the feel of it then i sat on the step of it and tried to relax a bit. Matthew came out and told me he had switched off my fan. Admittedly i did get quite tetchy about this and asked him why, he explained then that it was just circulating warm air in the room as there was no air from outside going in so it was pointless to have it on and wasting electricity. He then had a go at me for sitting on the caravan step and told me i hadnt paid for the caravan and he didnt say i could use it and it would have been polite to ask!!

2026-05-28 • via Nuitee
P
peter • couple • gb
8
Good for the beach and walking the dog.
Pros:

The accommodation was EXACTLY as described. Location was excellent, right next to the beach. Bedroom and bedding, and all rooms were clean. The accommodation is dog friendly, and we took our spaniel, but there were no signs of dog hair or previous visitors taking dogs.
Matthew was a good host.

Cons:

I don't think there is anything to complain about. It is Matthews house and he lives as he wants to.
Because he describes EXACTLY what he is offering, we would say "it is what it is".

2026-05-21 • via Nuitee
R
Russell • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Perfect thank you

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-25 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
10
Excellent host and a wonderful place to stay
Pros:

Superb host and the most beautiful views.

Cons:

A hot tub on top on the lookout tower 🤣

2026-04-25 • via Nuitee
B
Belinda • solo_traveller • gb
1
Pros:

The location was very close to the beach the host was pleasant and informative

Cons:

I feel this place shouldn't be hosting guests the property is not suitable.
If I hadn't travelled so far and could have found something else I would not have stayed one night
I managed to find a room elsewhere and pay extra for it for the second night

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
P
Pamela • solo_traveller • gb
10
Sundial cottage
Pros:

Such an unusual property with two train carriages in the home, totally unique and amazing
Mathew the owner was helpful and informative
The view from the edge of the cliff was fantastic, and you could go down the steps to the beach and then walk along to the pub( which I didn't do as I have COPD and don't I could have managed the steps back up

Cons:

It was unusual and unique, so nothing not to like

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
H
Hayley • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Stayed a few nights with my daughter. We both had a fantastic time. Mathew was wonderful and very accommodating. the location was beautiful, Accommodation was full of character and holds some very interesting history. we very much look forward to booking another few days in the summer months.

2026-04-05 • via Nuitee
M
Maria • solo_traveller • gb
8
Literally by the beach and the most quirky place I’ve ever stayed!
Pros:

The location was excellent and our host was welcoming and very helpful. Matthew made our dog very welcome too. The property is very interesting and something I’ve never experienced before.

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
S
Sebastian • couple • gb
8
Great value and spontaneous getaway with a friendly host .
Pros:

The owner Matthew was very friendly and accomodating. He explained the history of his home and surrounding area; he told us about nearby places he recommends (the pub, the cafes and the walking direction to get to Cromer, Sheringham or Bacton etc). He offered good conversation and all facilities in the shared accomodation. It was a fun, spontantous, great value for money accomodation and we will likely return in the summer to make use of the beach in the doorstep!!
Overall, highly recommend going to Matthews accomodation and have an open mind to ensure you fully enjoy the stay on the Norfolk coast :)
Again, thanks Matthew for everything.

Cons:

N/A.

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
K
Katharine • family_with_children • gb
7
Enjoyable
Pros:

Great location and quirky accomodation

Cons:

The track on the way to the accommodation. It was private, shared access that wasn't being kept up to standard by other residents. The surface was quite "rugged" which meant that a couple of times I was afraid of damaging the underside of my car.

2026-03-17 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
10
Great little stay
Pros:

Great location. Host was an absolute pleasure to meet and made us feel very welcome. Really quirky place to stay with a lot of history behind it. We loved it.

2026-01-20 • via Nuitee
B
Brian • couple • gb
10
Amazing value for money in a beautiful setting
Pros:

Cottage itself is two old railway carriages- different but very well done with sea side “ ornaments” and a lot more giving it a lovely ambience. Cottage is in a very quiet spot with a huge sandy beach literally 30 seconds walk away. Shop and pub about 10 minutes walk. Matthew is a lovely host and always made us feel more than welcome in his home. You even help yourself to breakfast in the kitchen which was much appreciated! Sundial cottage highly recommended!

Cons:

Nothing!

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • solo_traveller • gb
5
Wonderful location for intrepid souls
Pros:

I liked the location.
Matthew is a very attentive host. He let me use his fridge for some fish, I didn’t want to go off.

Cons:

Going out in a gale to the toilet. The loo was freezing as it has a broken window.

Using someone else’s bathroom. It was very clean, tidy and Matthew reassured me several times it was fine.

Don’t stay here if you can’t do a big step up into the Eriba camper van

2026-01-03 • via Nuitee
J
Jones • couple • gb
4
2025-12-18 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
9
Loved it!
Pros:

Great location, great host. Really quirky accommodation in an old converted railway carriage. Also small caravan in the garden as accommodation.

Cons:

No negatives.

2025-12-17 • via Nuitee
F
FERYAL • family_with_children • ma
7
It was a pleasant and unique experience
Pros:

Matthew was very friendly and made us feel comfortable in his home. The house is located on the cliff with a minutes walk down to the beach. The house was quiet and the kitchen was well stocked.

Cons:

The house was cold and the bedroom only had a curtain as a door.

2025-12-08 • via Nuitee
J
Jody • solo_traveller • gb
10
2025-12-04 • via Nuitee
D
david • couple • gb
9
some were to take the dogs for the night
Pros:

was near to our venue the next day

Cons:

took a little finding it

2025-11-26 • via Nuitee
M
Maisie • couple • gb
10
Matthew was such a lovely host from the very start. He shared fascinating insights into how his home was created and the
Pros:

Everything! It’s such a cute little, quirky place by the sea!

Cons:

Nothing

2025-11-23 • via Nuitee