Cromer – Cliftonville Hotel (Two Julians)

The next venue in our Cromer study tour was the Cliftonville Hotel which opened in 1867 and received its licence to serve non residents in 1963. After our failed visit to the Hotel de Paris we were a little unsure what to expect, but we could see a sign saying that non residents were welcome and the doors were open so it looked positive.

Some drinks offers to tempt passer-bys.

This is a bit decadent.

There were two real ales, both from Barsham Brewery, the Oaks and the Golden Close IPA. Some craft beer options there and no bloody Cruzcampo, so another win.

I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this. The bar and restaurant is in this grand room with a Minstrel’s gallery and plenty of character. It wasn’t particularly busy, but it seemed a suitably glamorous location for us to discuss how the study tour was progressing.

Oops, the photo is slightly on the lean…. The beer was the Oaks bitter from Barsham Brewery and it was well-kept and tasted as it was meant to. The prices were moderate and there was no obvious hotel premium charged.

Other than needing a lick of paint, it was all in a good state of repair and everything seemed clean and well maintained.

I was impressed by the whole arrangement here, the hotel had a bar which was interesting enough for non residents and I’m sure that the hotel’s guests would mostly find what they needed here as well. The staff were friendly, helpful and polite, with the atmosphere feeling inviting.