Cromer is a pretty seaside town in Norfolk, England which has breathtaking views of the North Sea as it sits on top of a rugged cliff top and is surrounded by woodlands.
The town is renowned for its bustling Victorian pier which offers a variety of entertainment as visitors can catch a show at the Pavillion Theatre, enjoy the arcade or have fun browsing the shops and restaurants by the sea.
Cromer Pier recently won the ‘Pier of the Year’ award from the National Piers Society for 2024 due to how popular it is with visitors and has also been nicknamed the “gem of the Norfolk coast” due to its spectacular natural beauty which surrounds the town.
This seaside town was even a popular holiday destination for novelist Jane Austen, who praised Cromer in her novel ‘Emma’. She wrote: “You should have gone to Cromer…the best of all the sea bathing places. A fine open sea…and very pure air.”
Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes, was also inspired to write the famous mystery ‘The Hounds of Baskervilles’ while visiting Cromer due to the town’s local folklore of the Black Shuck, a mythical hound which is said to roam the coast.
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What to do in Cromer
Cromer is the best place to travel for a traditional British beach holiday as the town is known for its incredible golden beach which is surrounded by colourful beach hunts, making it the perfect place for a photograph as well as sunbathing, relaxing walks and even snorkelling.
There is also the Amazona Zoo in Cromer which is home to over 200 tropical animals from South America such as jaguars, parrots, monkeys, and flamingos but even has an adorable Guinea Pig Village worth visiting.
However, anyone wishing for a beautiful sight should visit the Cromer parish, as its tall tower is worth climbing with a camera as it holds a magnificent view of the town and countryside.
Many visitors have highly praised and recommended visiting Cromer on Google Reviews, with one tourist describing it as “the most beautiful yet underrated beach” to visit due to there being no crowds.
One user wrote: “Beautiful town and beach. Beach was almost empty despite it being the school holidays. Beautiful town with both local independent shops and larger chains”
Another person said: “It’s the loveliest town I’ve ever visited…great atmosphere and fantastic fish and chips.”
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Someone else commented “So glad we decided to go to the Cromer beach. It was a really great walk and very easy access for my elderly mum. The promenade and pier are well worth the effort and walking through the town was amazing too. If in Norfolk, don’t miss Cromer.”
Cromer also has many fun events to celebrate throughout the year with the town;’s biggest festival being the Cromer Carnival, which takes place in August and has a grand parade through the street, fireworks, live music and many other activities to explore.
Cromer also holds many art and music festivals such as the Golk on the Pier, a folk-rock festival described as being the “best gig on the North Sea” due to its incredible lineup.
The town is also seafood heaven as the town is known for its Cromer crab, which is in season from March to October and known to be incredibly sweet and succulent.
In fact, the town is so proud of its famous seafood that it holds the Crab and Lobster Festival in May, where there are cooking and crab-catching competitions, live music and stalls selling local produce.
Where to eat in Cromer
Anyone who wishes to try Cromer’s famous seafood should visit the Links Restaurant, known for its fresh local produce such as crab or lobster which features on the menu if it is in season. This incredible restaurant also features wine from around the world and is also known for it’s tasty carvery served every Sunday.
No holiday is not complete without fish and chips, and the No. 1 Cromer is owned by Michellin-star chef Galton Blackiston and the restaurant holds incredible views of the seaside and pier.
On their website, No. 1 Cromer described itself as “serving some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the UK. and has been named the number one best value places to eat on the British coastline by the Guardian.
Chocolate lovers should also head to Herald’s Fine Chocolates, a traditional chocolate store known for its handmade goods where you can buy fudges, maripan fruits, chocolate boxes and other treats.
No matter what you do in Cromer, there is plenty to do and many maginificant views of the coastline to explore making this a seaside town worth visiting at least once.