When former Royal Navy man and events expert Simon Maddison transformed a tired apartment into a character-filled coastal retreat, the electric AGA 60 took pride of place in the kitchen. Now run as a holiday let, it’s a space that blends seafaring spirit with timeless design…
When Simon first stepped into the apartment in Cromer, Norfolk, he knew instantly that it could be his dream home. The interior was neglected, the kitchen dated and the rooms configured in a confusing manner. But, beyond the worn cupboards and faded lino was a view of the North Sea that stopped him in his tracks.
“It hadn’t had anything done to it for decades,” Simon says, “but the moment I saw the sea, I started negotiations. I could see the enormous potential.”
Simon has always been drawn to the coast. “I was going through a period of change and wanted to be close to the sea,” he says. “I’m never worried about what an interior looks like – you can change anything. Working in the events industry, I’ve learned if I can take a blank space and turn it into a party, I can take any interior and turn it into something special.”
That mindset proved useful. The renovation of the property in Jetty Street, Cromer, a few steps from the beach and sea, was a total transformation, every decision informed by a desire to reinstate period charm.
Cornicing returned, wooden floors were laid, and walls were painted in rich shades.
A massive fan of designer Robert Kime’s style, Simon would study his interiors and would often visit a pub he’d decorated on the edge of a North Norfolk estate.
“I’d go to the Gunton Arms and study the detail Robert Kime had put in,” says Simon, “every switch, every radiator, every paint colour. I knew that even if it took longer and cost more, I was going to get this apartment just right.”
Living in the apartment during the work required grit and cold showers. “Six months of them. Great for my mental health,” Simon says. “I’d do one room, move into it, and start the next. The military teaches you to rough it.”
The hardship was worth it and the result is a magical apartment, now called the Little Norfolk Beach House. Ironically Simon works away, so doesn’t get to enjoy the apartment because it’s always available for short-term holiday lets, ensuring it contributes to the local community. “I’ve never liked a house just sitting empty. Visitors bring money and life into the town.
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For Simon, Cromer’s charm lies in its old-fashioned convenience: the pub, butcher, baker, and fruit shop all within a stroll. “That whole lifestyle is being eroded by supermarkets. Places like this are a joy.”
Little Norfolk Beach House sleeps two in a stunning queen-size cabin bed, which comes with the added advantage of uninterrupted sea views to the east beach. The cosy living room, is rich in textures and period features including a grandfather clock, writing desk and large leather sofa
The perfectly formed kitchen is hidden from view by two stunning Victorian sliding bar doors. At the heart of the home, with its stunning views out over the sea, it’s a small room, but every details has been thought out.
The room is a masterclass in resourcefulness. The cabinetry was made from two eBay-acquired dresser bases, with panelling above inspired by the kitchens at Blickling Hall, all painted in Olive by Craig & Rose. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath.
The floor was reclaimed from Norwich Cathedral and bought from Norfolk Reclamation. This was a hands-on renovation and, alongside doing everything else, Simon laid the floor himself.
At the centre of the kitchen is an AGA 60 in Linen. Simon’s love affair with the AGA began decades ago. His first came with a country house, and over the years, every property he bought seemed to have an AGA except this one. 
“I knew I needed an AGA, but not a big one,” he says. The electric AGA 60 was the answer. “It’s super easy. I leave most of it on, and if I’ve got the roasting oven going, I use the bottom oven to warm plates. The hotplate is brilliant for keeping pans warm as I like to cook multiple dishes and keep them ready.”
Simon loved the look of the AGA 60, which fits perfectly into the timeless feel of the home. At just 60cm wide, it does everything you’d expect from an AGA. It has two generous cast-iron ovens, the top one for roasting or baking, the lower for gentle. These deep ovens can easily handle multiple trays, making it just as capable of feeding a crowd as a full-sized model.
Simon chose the classic AGA hotplate, which heats in just 10-12 minutes and can be switched between boiling and simmering. On the boiling setting, it delivers an instant punch of heat for everything from boiling water to wok stir-fries, while the simmering setting is perfect for sauces, scrambled eggs, or slow, gentle cooking. Simon also loves that you can cook directly on the cast-iron surface for feather-light crêpes, drop scones, or toasted sandwiches and feels this compact cooker still offers the full AGA experience.
Food is a constant in his life. His ex-wife ran the Cotswold Cooks, catering for everyone from the then Prince of Wales to the Soil Association, and he absorbed her knowledge along the way. “I try to cook something fresh every day,” he says.
One of the joys of cooking in this kitchen is the gorgeous garden and views out over the sea. A garden table made from wood found on nearby Mundesley beach with legs welded by a local blacksmith, sits in the east-facing garden. Simon explains it’s the only apartment in Cromer with both a sea view and outdoor space.
“Even on frosty mornings, I sit out here with a cup of cocoa. As long as the wind isn’t in your face, it’s perfect year-round.”
More information on Little Norfolk Beach House can be found here www.littlenbh.co.uk
