The Gem of the Norfolk Coast

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been spending more time in and around Cromer, that wonderful old Gem of the Norfolk coast.

The Internet is swamped with pictures of Cromer Pier from the angle shown below – it is an impressive sight – but I wanted to do something a little different this time, to explore a slightly different aspect of the structure.

It’s been a while since I took the time to meander down toward the pier, but meander I did, and I discovered the tide was low enough to see the remains of the old pier, the weathered wood posts just about visible, before being swallowed again by the tide.

The pleasant weather brought a lot of people out for the day. Enjoying a stroll along the pier, taking in the sights and sea air, perhaps stopping by the cafe, the theatre bar, and gift shop. Families were out crab fishing with a line over the side, and at the end of the pier, fishing rods lined up by expectant anglers.

As I explored the area beneath, I saw no-one and heard nothing but the waves crashing against the solid pillar supports. Almost like I was in some kind of secret underworld, away from everything and everyone, and it was a strange feeling to realise that nobody crossing the wooden slats overhead was aware of me, lurking below. This is a view of the pier most don’t venture into, but it fascinates me. Spending time here invokes a sense of the history of not only this structure but of the old town as a whole. Studying the old ironwork to spot the sections that are newer, installed after the pier was damaged in various storms over the years. I recall being in the town when one particular storm struck in November 1993. The middle section was completely taken out and sections of the theatre floor were badly damaged when the ‘Tayjack’, a barge, broke free and smashed through it. The worst-hit section of the pier had housed an amusement arcade, and kids spent weeks, or probably months, searching out the fallen coins in the sand. That building was sadly not replaced when the pier was restored.

At the end of the pier is a theatre, posters inform visitors that The Cromer Pier Summer Show 2021 runs Saturday 17th July – Saturday 7th October. There aren’t too many end-of-the-pier venues still running these days, so it’s good to see people continue to support the Seaside Special, and many visitors return every year to see it.

Tucked behind that is the Cromer RNLI boathouse housing the all-weather Lifeboat, ‘Lester’. A second boathouse is located on the east promenade, which houses the inshore lifeboat, ‘George & Muriel’. Just along from that is the Henry Blogg Museum, sadly closed at the moment. When the world reopens, and if you find yourself in the area, I recommend fish and chips from Mary Jane’s and a casual stroll along, or under, the pier when the tide is out.

However, if your feet are getting wet, you’ve stayed too long!

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