subject: Cromer - Norfolk, England: Home Of The Cromer Crabs [print this page] The seaside resort town of Cromer - Norfolk, England had less than 10,000 residents at the time of the last census, but that is not an accurate reflection of how many people you will find there on any given day. When you add the seasonal residents and all the families on holiday, the number is a lot higher.
It does not matter which of the many restaurants you eat at, you will find crab on every menu. Not just any crab; Cromer crab. Delivered fresh every day, from the fishing boats you can see from the shore. People travel across England, to enjoy the local crab, as well as lobster.
About 1000 years ago, Cromer was known as Shipden, made of 2 villages; Shipden-juxta-mere & Shipden-juxta-Felbrigg. Juxta-mere is the area around the Parish church, and juxta-Felbrigg starts 400 yards offshore, completely underwater.
If it was low tide, in the spring, and the year was before 1888, you would be able to look offshore and see the big church rock, clearly visible above the water line. A vessel was damaged that year, when it ran into it, so it was decided to demolish the rock, due to safety concerns.
As of the latter part of the 18th century, Cromer was a just a remote, small fishing village, that was discovered by rich families as a place to have extended holidays. Cromer became accessible by most anyone in 1877 when the railway that linked to London was put in.
One of the early railway riders from London was the prominent journalist Clement Scott, who started writing about Cromer in 1883. Between his publicity and the railway, Cromer grew into a popular resort town.
At the start of the twentieth century, a long promenade was constructed along the beach, as well as a large pier, home to the Pavilion Theatre, a venue for live performances. Numerous guest houses were built at this time as well a number of hotels.
Cromer's activities include walking on the two long distance footpaths; the first is called Weaver's Way, and the second one is the Norfolk Coastal Path. Then there is a bike route, or more than 90 miles, which connects to Kings Lynn & Great Yarmouth. Also available is, football (soccer), cricket, lawn tennis, squash, golf and sea angling (fishing). The more leisurely activities include the live theater, many restaurants, the cinema, and shopping in many small shops. (It is a three hour train ride from the London Liverpool Street station.)
