Cromer Cromer is a welcoming resort town of 8000 people on the North Norfolk coast with a world famous “End of the Pier� show, safe sandy beaches, one of the biggest summer carnivals in the country featuring the Red Arrows ... and of course those Cromer Crabs. Cromer has invigorating walks across the cliff and along the beach in summer, spring, winter or autumn. There is a putting green, boating pond, zoo and the happy valley hills which are great for sledging down when it is snowing in the winter. At the top of one of the hills the lighthouse stands, guiding many boats away from the shore during the night.
The coast of Cromer is north-facing which means the sun rises and sets over the sea for much of the year and shines on the Blue Flag beach during the summer where the life-guarded main beaches ensure safe swimming. Cromer is also an increasingly popular surfing destination.
Cromer pier Cromer pier has a theatre, a cafe and of course the lifeboat house with the shop inside too! When the fireworks are on you can watch them from the pier. On the pier you can go into the boat house and if you are lucky, you might even see the lifeboat being launched. The lifeboat station, one of the most famous in the country, was first established in 1804. One of the most well-known lifeboat crews-man was Henry Blogg, skipper of the Cromer lifeboat from 1909 to 1947. He helped save 873 lives and is the UK’s most decorated boat-man. Henry Blogg was awarded the RNLI Gold Medal three times. There is a Henry Blogg museum just off the pier, on the east promenade, where you can find out lots more information about his incredible life-saving experiences.
Many people visit the pavilion theatre to watch the Seaside Specials.
Poppyland Sheltered by hills and ridges, created 400 000 years ago during the ice Age, the town of Cromer includes the remains of the earlier settlement of Shipden – claimed by the sea in the 1300’s and which now lies 400 metres off the coast to the east of the pier. It is said that at if you walk along the promenade at night, you might hear the old bells of Shipden ringing! The word Cromer may be Danish and this was first recorded in 1262. The town has been a sea-trading port for a long time now, with boats loading and unloading cargoes directly onto the beach in the way the fishing boats do today. The traders imported and exported goods such as coal, wheat, barley and malt. The first known pier or jetty was built at around 1390. The last wooden jetty was damaged by gales in 1897 and the present pier opened in1901. By this time Cromer was a fashionable resort made famous by Clement Scott, who described Cromer as “Poppyland” in 1883. The railway reached Cromer in 1877, prompting a building boom.
Many
magnificent
Victorian
and
Edwardian
buildings, such as the Hotel de Paris and the Cliftonville Hotel, still stand today. In the twentieth century Cromer became a highly popular resort
and
recently
underwent
a
“regeneration”
programme to preserve its history whilst simultaneously moving the town forward into the twenty-first century.
Geograpy of Cromer Cromer is located on a 600 000 year old forested swamp with a rich geology, including the cliffs at West Runton where the “West Runton Elephant� was discovered. The beach is a popular area for fossil hunters, particularly looking for amber and jet. The award-winning Museum of Cromer explains more about the geology of the area and the history of the sea.
There is a magnificent fourteenth century St Peter and St Paul Church, which has the highest tower in Norfolk at 160ft with 172 steps.
Cromer Crabs The main industry is fishing and of course Cromer is famous for its crabs.
Many people cannot resist the wonderful fish and chips from Mary-Jane’s. minutes!!
From the sea to the frier ..... in 3
Cromer A fascinating insight into this “gem of the Norfolk coast.� Look closer into the history of this seaside town by taking a peek at this amazing book all about Cromer and its past. Discover its heroes and find out some interesting facts. Read about modern Cromer and all the facilities it has to offer.