The town became a popular seaside resort in the Victorian era
With summer very much behind us, there may only be a few mild, sunny days left before winter hits. But for those autumn beach trips when the weather may be a little bit unpredictable, there is a seaside town in Norfolk that has plenty of indoor and outdoor activities.
Found on the North Norfolk coast, Cromer is around two hours on the train from Cambridge. It first became a seaside resort in the 19th century and was visited by affluent Victorian families, including King Edward VII who was known to play golf there.
Today, golf is still very much still part of the town, with the Links Country Park Hotel being the go-to destination. The hotel, which is set in 40 acres of country park, has a 9-hole golf course, a gym, tennis court and indoor swimming pool.
If you’re into a bit of history, you might want to pay a visit to the Cromer Museum, reports the Mirror. Inside a row of late 19th century Victorian fisherman’s cottages, the museum showcases displays about the town’s lifeboatmen over the years, the rise of tourism and the impact of wartime on the town.
If the weather is on your side, then you might like to take in a bit of the local landscape by having a stroll along the cliffs, with some reaching heights of up to 70 metres and rich in fossils. There are also several award-winning beaches in the area including West Runton and Cromer. Here, water sports enthusiasts can hire surf boards or SUPs for some aquatic fun.
If you want something a bit more relaxing, then the promenade is lined with beautifully sculpted gardens and borders, as well as charming Victorian buildings.
One of the town’s main attractions is its Victorian pier, a survivor of both the unpredictable British weather, including a storm surge in 2013, and a World War II government attempt to demolish it for fear of enemy use as a landing strip. At the end of its 151-metre stretch, is a lifeboat station and the Cromer Pier Pavillion Theatre, which is the ‘only end of pier show’ of its kind globally.
Live variety acts entertain crowds for three months during the summer, while touring acts perform throughout the year. Cromer town comes alive with its Carnival Week in August, featuring the crowning of a Carnival Queen and a vibrant street parade.
For those wanting some retail therapy, there’s a weekly market and lots of independent shops offering a range of souvenirs. Just south of the town, the Amazona zoo, themed after South America, is a great family attraction with animals such as jaguars and pumas.
Recent visitors to Cromer have taken to Tripadvisor to share their experiences. One visitor enthused: “Cromer is a beautiful seaside town, lovely pier with a couple of nice cafes serving lovely food, beautiful views out to sea, and the town has some very nice shops.”
Another said: “Beautiful beach, sandy and pebbly with lots of treasures to be found, such as sea glass and hag stones. Incredible sunsets too!”
A third shared: “Norfolk Cromer Beach is simply stunning – clean, well-maintained, and popular with visitors of all ages. There are convenient ramps at both ends of the beach, and red and yellow flags mark safe swimming areas, monitored by attentive lifeguards.” Another summed it up saying: “You can find great sandy beaches, museums, plenty of attractions and go walking along the Norfolk Coast Path, Cromer is a great place to visit, any time of the year.”
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