Raising Kids’ Buggy Blogger Charlotte and her family spend a weekend at Mundesley’s Beach Cottage where they find they couldn’t stay much closer to the sea without getting their duvet wet.

A few days after returning from Beach Cottage in Mundesley and I'm still wistfully breathing in the scent of wood-fire smoke in my youngest's hair. It’s a lingering reminder of a great winter mini-break and I wonder how long I can get away with not washing it.

A stone's throw from the sand
Forget the February blues, this weekend’s left us all full of Spring good cheer. Beach Cottage – a pebble’s throw away from the shoreline – couldn't be faulted under the Trade Descriptions Act. Situated right next to the beach, the USP of this place is that you can either be out at the water's edge within minutes or, if you prefer not to get your feet wet, you can watch the rolling waves and ever-changing skies whilst staying firmly put.

It's a character property – some of which apparently dates back to the late 1800s – with nooks and crannies that kept our small people amused (chiefly because that's where the toy-laden storage boxes are stashed). First impressions were of a freshly-painted, light and airy haven from which to escape the February bluster.

Happily our weekend turned out to be mild, dry and gifted with a smattering of winter sunshine – even allowing us to potter outside a little in the fully-enclosed garden which would come into its own in summer. This still being February, however, the mornings were chilly and we were grateful for Beach Cottage's belting radiators and family-sized sofa in which to all cuddle up on.

Pint-sized diners catered for
As well as the ample sofa, it was clear that the owners were ready and equipped for children elsewhere too. Whilst the kitchen drawers were stocked with gadgets for even the choosiest of chefs (chrome shellfish crackers anyone?) it was the provision for the smaller diners which won my respect. There were picnic plates and forks aplenty, a healthy supply of straws, and more plastic cups than you could shake a stick at. And though I'd never leave home without my sloppy 2-year-old's Tommee Tippee beaker, we even found a handy Sippi cup awaiting in the cupboard. Mind you, it did have the misfortune of being pink so was soon given short shrift by my all-boy brood.

Aside from their distasteful brush with pink, the lads were thrilled with their stay at the cottage. Asked what they liked best, and my five-year-old gave the bunk beds a resounding thumbs up, the 4 year-old loved the “cool” submarine and pirate ship bath toys and the toddler seemed delighted with the array of fist-sized farmyard animals at hand. He in turn delighted the rest of us by sleeping soundly through the nights in the travel cot supplied, thanks to plenty of activity and fresh sea air.

But above and beyond anything else, the highlight for us all must've been the Look Out. With its wood-burning stove, eclectic décor and bird's-eye view of the beach this unique garden room really made the cottage for us. I felt transported into an Enid Blyton adventure as we stoked up the fire, toasted marshmallows and watched the sun go down over the shoreline. And in case the 30 second walk to the kitchen was too much, there was even an in-situ fridge in which to store your lashings of lemonade or something a little stronger.

Plenty of fossils, but no Fiennes
Whether watching from above or venturing down below, it wouldn't be right not to make a special mention of the beach itself. I'd heard great things about the award-winning north Norfolk coastline – not least the fact that Shakespeare in Love’s closing scene was filmed there. Sadly Joseph Fiennes wasn't in evidence when we visited, but Mundesley 's Blue Flag sandy beach didn't disappoint in any other respect. There was plenty to see and do including some obligatory sandcastle-making, a spot of fossil hunting and an unscheduled, fully-clothed paddle in the sea. We even got to see the Lifeboat team practising in a small motorboat on Sunday morning which had the boys … and me … enthralled.

While the socks were drying out, Mundesley itself was big enough to provide for basic essentials including a smattering of village pubs, a café and stores, a first-rate fish and chip shop, a Thai takeaway and a video library which Beach Cottage users are able to use. There was also a small village playground, a seasonal adventure park and a penny arcade which kept our boys, young and old, enraptured as we coaxed a few too many 2p pieces over the edge of the precipice.

Further afield, we noticed an under-eights indoor playbarn and a couple of swimming pools for wet weather. And for fairer days there are steam trains, mazes and a Shire horse centre all within easy reach of Mundesley. Although out of season it's fair to say some attractions will be closed.

If there were any quibbles, I'd say the oven could do with updating but it was perfectly adequate for our needs. And 6 footers might find the master bedroom's mattress a little on the short side. That said, with capacity to sleep 8 and a travel cot to boot, you could always have fun playing Goldilocks and the 3 Bears to see which bed fit the best.

Overall, I'd say this was a great family bolthole from which to explore north Norfolk – or indeed just enjoy a few lazy days on (and above) an outstanding beach. And for the thrill of a comfortable campfire experience with a roof over your head and a panoramic view of the sea, it couldn't be beaten.

Information
Sleeps 6-8 plus one in a cot
Children and dogs are welcome
£295-625 per week
Available for short breaks and weekends.
Getting there: Detailed instructions are provided on the website – including directions to a fabulous farm shop en-route if you journey via Norwich.

For more information on Beach Cottage, click here.

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