Cromer in North Norfolk was once a retreat for affluent Victorian beach-goers. Today, this delightful seaside town has retained much of its original charm and its world-famous crab is worth the visit alone.
North Norfolk: Aeriel views show Cromer and Blakeney
Tucked away at the very top of Norfolk, Cromer is a quaint seaside town that time seems to have forgotten. As remote as you can get in Norfolk, it sits proudly on the headland, a solid 50-minute train journey from Norwich. Over a century since its heyday as a retreat for wealthy Victorian beach-goers, the town has managed to retain much of its original allure that drew prominent figures like Arthur Conan Doyle.
Guest houses perch on the cliffs; fishing boats come and go; life unfolds at a delightfully slow pace. Cromer is perfect for a mini getaway where you can discover all the joys the town has to offer. At the heart of the seafront lies Cromer’s jewel – the pier. The 151m long Victorian structure boasts a sign at its entrance declaring it ‘2024 Pier of the Year’, having clinched the title for the third time at the National Piers Society awards.
The pier stands as a symbol of resilience with some parts of its structure dating back to 1391. During WWII, the British Government blasted a hole in the pier’s centre to stop invading forces from using it as a landing strip, inadvertently using so much dynamite that debris landed in the town centre.
The repaired pier nearly found itself submerged in the North Sea eight years post-war, when a fierce gale caused significant damage. Further storms have resulted in seven major repair jobs since then. The Cromer pier has shown commercial resilience too, remaining open while half of the British piers from the early 20th century are now closed. The pier bar scene is bustling and the side rails are filled with crab fishers dangling bacon into the sea. The end-of-pier shows are another highlight with the next one set to return next June for another three months of dazzling spectacle.
When planning your coastal retreat to Cromer, we recommend booking an Airbnb. The Mirror travel editor Milo Boyd spent a delightful weekend in a stunning seafront Airbnb. “Alex and Peter’s ‘stunning Cromer beach house with sea views’ is a three-storey property on Jetty Street. It sits about 10m from the front, offering incredible views of the long sweep of Cromer beach from its kitchen/living room. I’d chosen the home from Airbnb’s ‘Guest Favourite’ selection of properties that’d ranked 4.9/5 or higher.”
After enjoying a peaceful night in the four-poster bed, Milo enjoyed a leisurely morning coffee while watching surfers catching a wave. “Even for a cold-water weakling such as myself, the proximity of the home to the beach made a dash into the churning October waters too good a chance to pass up,” Milo confessed.
The Airbnb’s prime location also allowed for easy exploration of Cromer’s other treasures. Notably, the Cromer Crab, which is a culinary highlight not to be missed. Its distinctive sweet flavour is said to be caused by the shallow, chalky and nutrient-rich local waters.
Another must-try within a three-minute walk from Milo’s Airbnb is the No1 Cromer, a quaint fish and chip shop with an upscale eatery upstairs. “A charming young waiter regaled us with stories of how his grandfather is now keeper of the Cromer lighthouse as we happily tucked into the restaurant’s delicious offering,” Milo enthused. “The crab received two thumbs up from everyone in our party and the blackboard providing provenance details of the fish (from the Norwegian vessels Gacialis and Romeon, ‘caught in the clear waters of the Barent Sea) also won nods of approval.”
Just outside the town is the Tudor-built Felbrigg Hall, another Cromer must-see, particularly for National Trust property enthusiasts. Its walled gardens are a joy to visit, even for those who aren’t particularly interested in its history.
A trip down the coast from Cromer in either direction will take you to excellent seal watching spots like Blakney Point and Horsey. The latter also features a famous water pump that has been a part of the Broads for over a hundred years.
Alex and Peter’s delightful Airbnb guest book was filled with happy guests who had spent a week or two either taking shelter from the unpredictable English weather in the comfortable home or exploring the attractions of North Norfolk. You can book your stay here.
