Landmark building on the market for £1.2 million has been sold

A landmark building overlooking the sea in Cromer has been sold, subject to contract.

One of the county's most renowned seaside homes, The Bath House in Cromer, with some of the most impressive interiors and the best sea view, was for sale for £1.2 million.

A spokesman for Sowerbys in Holt confirmed that it had been sold, subject to contract. The spokesman would not confirm the price.

The pale yellow house on the promenade with a verandah looking out to sea towards the pier is a landmark building in Cromer.

Called the Bath House, it was built in 1814 originally as a reading room but then became a Victorian spa with bathing facilities added in 1824.

Water was pumped from the sea into tanks and warmed so that wealthy folk could visit to 'take the waters' in private.

After it was damaged in a storm, it was rebuilt in 1836 and became the family home of schoolmaster Simeon Simons until 1867 when it was sold to Cromer shop trader Henry Rust.

The next owner was brewer and wine merchant James Chapman, who in 1872 converted the building into a hotel and added the western wing for use as a billiard room.

As a hotel, you could dine there at the turn of the century with menus still in existence describing oxtail soup for starters, boiled cod in oyster sauce or boiled mutton in caper sauce for main and plum pudding for dessert.

In more recent years the building was owned by Bert and Barbara Wheston, and it remained a hotel until it was bought by former Norfolk county councillor Dr Connell and his wife in 1999.

Being situated at the end of the Gangway, literally on the promenade, the Bath House offers one of the best, and closest, views of the sea in Norfolk.

In recent years the building was the subject of an extensive restoration project.

The house boasts superb interiors including a cinema, a library, a spa with a steam room and sauna, four bedrooms, four reception rooms and two pantries, extending to more than 5000 sq ft.