The remarkable history of Cromer Pier

There has been a pier (or jetty) in Cromer for over 600 years, but it certainly hasn’t had the easiest of times. In fact, it’s seen an incredibly turbulent past, having been washed away twice, frequently damaged by storms, and even cut in half by a runaway barge.

In spite of this, Cromer Pier is undoubtedly one of our county’s most famous landmarks, attracting thousands of visitors to the area every year. Having featured in countless paintings, postcards, and holiday snaps through the decades, it’s a rare example of an unspoiled Victorian pier and is widely considered the jewel of the North Norfolk coast. Home to Cromer Lifeboat Station and the fabulous Pavilion Theatre (which hosts the only end-of-pier show of its kind in the world), it plays a pivotal role in the town’s identity and culture. 

As far back as 1391 Cromer has records of a jetty, from which local produce was loaded onto ships, but history really relates from the 19th century onwards. 

A 210ft wooden landing was constructed in 1822, though this was unfortunately washed away in 1843 and replaced (two years later) with a 240ft structure. Lasting until 1890, this too was eventually devoured by heavy seas, with its battered timber remains sold at auction for £40. 

Following this (very sensibly) a 500ft iron pier was constructed in its place, opening in June 1901. Expertly designed by London engineering firm Douglas and Arnott, the striking new structure cost £17,000 to build and was complete with a grand bandstand, which was covered in 1905 to form an enclosed pavilion. In 1923, following the introduction of a motor lifeboat to Cromer a brand-new lifeboat house and slipway were constructed at the end of the pier, and throughout the 1920s and 1930s the pavilion was host to a rich carousel of entertainment. 

Transforming from a fragile wooden jetty into a vibrant and atmospheric landmark, Cromer Pier swiftly became the beating heart of the town – though its story was far from over, with many more astonishing challenges just waiting to emerge. 

Upon the outbreak of World War II the Royal Engineers removed the middle section of the pier in case it was used by enemy invaders, though the gap was bridged with planks to allow the lifeboat station to be reached. When peace was restored, the decking was replaced and theatre performances resumed - with the Pavilion’s famous full-season show beginning in 1978.

Due to its position in the unforgiving and brutally destructive North Sea, Cromer Pier has faced the full force of the elements over the decades – enduring significant storm damage in 1949, 1953, 1976 and 1978. 

True disaster struck on a tempestuous Sunday in November 1993 when a 100-ton rig was blown off its anchorage and crashed into the pier, virtually slicing it in half. This extraordinary (and incredibly alarming) event left the lifeboat house and theatre cut off from the land, though repairs were drastically made in time for the 1994  season. 

Cromer’s ever-resilient pier quickly recovered from the catastrophe – however, on December 5th 2013 (just 20 years later), another setback arose in the form of a huge tidal surge. Maintenance completed the previous year allowed the landmark to withstand the main force, although there was severe damage to the walkway and several buildings including the box office and souvenir shop. It meant a short break in the Cromer Pier Christmas Show, but within days rapid repairs saw performances resume in true ‘the show must go on’ tradition. This hard work and dedication was officially recognised in March 2015, when members of the National Piers Society voted Cromer the Pier of the Year.

“Cromer Pier is a local wonder and a national treasure,” says Deb Lewis, Marketing and Sales Manager at The Pavilion Theatre (which is one of only five end of pier theatres in the UK!) “It’s an iconic symbol of North Norfolk, a stunning piece of history and a captivating place to sit and watch the world go by.”