Part of Cromer beach, plus a lordship going back to the Domesday Book, could be yours for £17,500.

North Norfolk News: Robert Harbord-Hamond at Norwich Cathedral. Picture: Supplied by RP Harbord-HamondRobert Harbord-Hamond at Norwich Cathedral. Picture: Supplied by RP Harbord-Hamond (Image: Archant)

About 7.5 acres of foreshore, near to Cromer Pier, plus the title of Lordship of Cromer Gunners, is being sold by Robert Harbord-Hamond.

He inherited Cromer Gunners from his second cousins, Doris and Lettice, who used to live at Harbord House in the town, overlooking the sea.

He has owned the site since 2004 but wants to sell up and invest more in the Far East.

The property is being offered by private treaty for offers in the region of £17,500 by Manorial Auctioneers of London.

North Norfolk News: Part of Cromer beach near to the town's pier could be yours for £17,500. Picture: Graeme TaplinPart of Cromer beach near to the town's pier could be yours for £17,500. Picture: Graeme Taplin (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

A spokesman for the auctioneers said: 'The person who buys it will own part of the beach. It could be an ideal spot for events or pop concerts, subject to planning consent.'

The lordship of the Cromer Gunners dates back to 1086.

Mr Harbord-Hamond, the son of Baron Suffield, said: 'In the past we've given various concessions to allow people to operate things on the beach, such as bathing machines and tents.

'If you see beaches abroad they have surfing, floating marinas, and people selling ice cream, and other services.

North Norfolk News: Sir William Harbord. Image: 1729 portraint by William Aikman held by the National Trust at Blickling HallSir William Harbord. Image: 1729 portraint by William Aikman held by the National Trust at Blickling Hall (Image: Archant)

'I'm trying to invest more in shipping in the Far East, in places such as Singapore, and am looking to switch some of my holdings over there.'

Rights in the past have included leased areas for deck chairs, musical bands, Punch and Judy, food and ice cream stands.

At the time of the Domesday Book, the manor was held by Godric, the king's steward.

Sir William Weyland held the manor in 1276, and Sir William Paston, a judge, became the Lord of the Manor in the 1440s.

The Paston Letters throw a rare light onto the affairs of ordinary folk, known as the middling sort, including the Harbords and the Hamonds. They eventually consolidated their position by intermarriage and the joining of their surnames.

In 1611 the Harbords bought Cromer from the Pastons. As they grew richer, they became baronets, then in 1786 Barons Suffield.

Offered separately is the adjoining Lordship of Gimingham, which is available for £7,500. There is also foreshore there, but this is not being offered with the Lordship of Gimingham.