If you were to close your eyes and picture a quintessential British seaside town, it would probably look like Cromer. This gem on Norfolk’s north coast is a traditional seaside holiday destination - offering natural beauty, top-notch fish and chips, a pier and more.

Cromer is one of the jewels in Norfolk’s crown and welcomes visitors from far and wide - and has even received a visit from Banksy. It is thought Cromer became a thriving seaside town during the Medieval period and is today one of Britain’s most-loved holiday destinations. The town is built around its stunning, sandy beach which has been awarded the Blue Flag award.

But it's what is just off the shore that makes Cromer so unique. 

It is home to the Cromer Shoal Chalk Bed which is dubbed ‘Britain’s Great Barrier Reef’.

Formed when dinosaurs roamed the planet millions of years ago, it is said to be the longest reef of its kind in the world at 20 miles long and can be enjoyed snorkellers. 

The Marine Conservation Society says the bed supports a unique array of plants and animals.

A purple sea sponge was discovered on the reef in 2011 - previously unknown anywhere else in the world.

It was given the name Parpal Dumplin’ which captures the sound of a Norfolk accent. 

Cromer’s waters are also popular with surfers and has been ranked as Norfolk’s best surfing by thebeachguide.co.uk.

The beach also boasts the Grade II-listed Victorian-era Cromer Pier, which famously survived an attempt to blow it up by the Government during the Second World War over fears it could be used as a landing strip by Britain’s enemies.

Today, the 151-metre pier has an RNLI Lifeboat station, restaurant, and theatre, which is home to the only remaining full-season end-of-the-pier show in the world.

In the summer, the pier is a must for visitors - offering fantastic views of the North Sea and is also the ideal place for crabbing.

It’s hard to say Cromer without thinking of the Cromer crab which is caught in the waters around the town. 

The brown crabs are an iconic taste of the area and living in the shallow waters of the chalk beds is credited with making them meatier and a sweet taste.

Inland, Cromer has many delights including shops, restaurants, pubs and plenty of places to get fresh fish and chips.

The town, which has that coastal East Anglian charm, also has the 14th century St Peter and Paul church which has the tallest church tower in Norfolk (160 feet).

For those seeking a learning experience, there is the Cromer Museum. 

But if it’s art that’s your thing, Cromer might also be the place for you.

It is home to a piece of art by Banksy, part of the secretive artist’s Great British Spraycation across Norfolk and Suffolk.

The artwork appeared on a sea wall in 2021 and was coated in a protective resin layer by the local council to shield it from the elements. 

In a nod to Cromer’s crab industry, it features hermit crabs with one in a shell holding a sign that reads “luxury rentals online” which is thought to refer to housing issues in the area.