Cross Street, Cromer, Norfolk

Situated 150 yards from the award-winning beach and town of Cromer – known as ‘The Gem of the Norfolk Coast’ – the Band of Hope Hall on Cross Street is a 1,900 sq ft property with a rich history. This house was converted from a 19th-century Temperance Hall by the architect Jim Bond. The free plan is flexible, lending itself to ample modes of permanent living or holiday use. The building benefits from its original double height structure and retains many original features. Its exceptional elevation makes for dynamic and bright living spaces throughout, amplified by soaring glazing at the rear of the plan.

The Tour

Entered at the side of the original building, a hallway with oversized mosaic parquet flooring leads into the remarkable living/dining space with the kitchen beyond. While the living area –punctuated by narrow columns from floor to mezzanine level – provides a more intimate spot with a wood burner, the dual-height dining space is the focal point of the house. Bathed in light, it capitalises on the south facing orientation of the plan and the abundant glazing above.

As the arrangement unfurls, parquet flooring gives way to modern tiles which spill out into the enclosed courtyard beyond – uniting the interior and exterior spaces via impressive bifold doors. The kitchen is contemporary in style with laterally arranged cabinets ablaze with striking red worktops. With plenty of space for a breakfast table it benefits from further bi-fold doors opening out to the courtyard, deftly aiding the synergy between indoor and outdoor space.

A guest bedroom is tucked away behind the living area, with a shower room and WC accessed off the main hallway and a further bedroom/study area, currently used as a children’s bunkroom, is set behind the stairs.

A master bedroom complete with en suite and study area sits atop the mezzanine level and is flanked with crisp white panelling. The entire sprawling platform benefits from liberal natural light and further views to the living area below through a glass balcony. A painted plaque advising against drinking on the premises is wall mounted – a nod to the building’s history.

The building was originally commissioned by the Cromer branch of the Band of Hope Temperance movement and opened on the 10th June 1891, serving as a Lecture Hall to educate the local population to take a more controlled attitude to alcohol consumption. The initial 2001 conversion provided a studio and open plan house for contemporary artist Vanda Harvey.

Outside Space

The enclosed courtyard is a sheltered space perfect for alfresco dining. With easy access between indoors and out, it embodies an extension of the main plan. It offers plenty of space for growing potted plants or climbers and is a suntrap on hot days.

The Area

Band of Hope Hall sits on a quiet residential street tucked behind the town centre, close to the station, shops and restaurants. Famous for its eponymous crab, by the 1880s Cromer had become a fashionable attraction for the Victorians and then Edwardians and retains much of this old world charm, particularly visible in a string of grand hotels along the seafront and a magnificent pier. Cromer offers summer concerts and shows on the pier and a host of food, culture and arts festivals throughout the year. It has two blue flag beaches (beach huts can be hired either weekly or longer for residents), and the award winning North Norfolk coast path passes through the area, providing easy access to a great scenic walks.

The Norfolk Broads are close by and accessible by bus or train, whilst the Coasthopper bus service makes it easy to explore North Norfolk generally. During the months of March to October there are several historic homes to visit, including Sandringham, Norfolk Estate of the Queen, and National Trust properties at Blickling & Felbrigg. The Holkham Estate, with its stunning beach, wildlife reserve and magnificent house and grounds, is within easy reach by car.

Cromer has a good selection of galleries and an independent cinema; a golf course and tennis courts are five minutes away. There are primary and secondary schools locally and private education is offered at Gresham’s public school in nearby Holt as well as Beeston Hall preparatory school which is only about 2 minutes along the coast towards Sheringham.

Trains to London Liverpool Street and Kings Cross run every hour and take just under 3 hours (via Norwich, 40-minutes from Cromer station) and the A11 is accessible by car in around 50 minutes.

Council Tax Band: B