Nostalgic East: Fun and frolics through the years in two gorgeous seaside towns
PUBLISHED: 08:30 27 March 2019 | UPDATED: 09:03 27 March 2019

Cromer Carnival's Bonny Baby Show, 31 July 1964. Photo: Archant Library
They're two of Norfolk's favourite towns, and as part of a Nostalgic East series running in the Eastern Daily Press, REBECCA MACNAUGHTON looks back at days gone by in Sheringham and Cromer.

At the top of the Norfolk coast are two of the country’s favourite seaside towns, famous for fabulous beaches, pretty cottages, crabs, fish and fantastic festivals.
Cromer prospered as a fishing village and port about 600 years ago, with its prestigious and large parish church a good indication of its wealth in the medieval period. It declined somewhat until the late Georgian period, when it became the sea spa destination of choice for well to do families. Later the seafront was revamped with new promenades perfect for enjoying the sea views, and a pier built between 1899 and 1901.
Sheringham has long been a farming and fishing community and by 1850 there were more than 100 boats setting out almost daily to catch mainly lobsters and crabs. When the railway arrived in 1887 Sheringham’s fame spread as that morning’s catch could be in London four hours later. Soon middle class Londoners discovered the town at the end of the line and rented local cottages for the summer, beginning the boom in second home owners and tourism.
Among our selection of archive photographs of Cromer you’ll see a fantastic shot of people enjoying the beach from the late 60s, as well as an aerial shot showing the cliffs.

Our pictures for Sheringham show the £2.5 million Splash centre being enjoyed in the 90s as well as the town’s railway lines in the 60s.
Did you know?
Norfolk’s (and in fact East Anglia’s) highest point, known as Beacon Hill, is located between Sheringham and Cromer.
MORE: Nostalgic East: Winding back the clock on another north Norfolk town.











