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This page shows images of Cromer in Norfolk,
including the pier, lighthouse and lifeboats.
Cromer Pier
There are records of a pier or jetty in Cromer back as far as 1391. In the
year 1582, Queen Elizabeth I granted rights to export wheat, barley and malt
with the proceeds to be used for the maintenance and well-being of the pier
and the town of Cromer.
The first recent pier at Cromer was a 210 foot jetty built in 1822. It was washed
away in 1843 to be replaced, two years later, with a 240 foot structure.
This lasted until 1890 when it too was destroyed by heavy seas. A 500 foot
iron pier, the work of London engineering firm, Douglass and Arnott,
replaced the second jetty. It opened on 8 June 1901, having cost £17,000. A
bandstand was erected at the head. This was extended in 1905 to form a
pavilion.
Sectioned in 1940 for defence purposes, the gap was bridged with planks to
allow the lifeboat station to be reached (lifeboats have been stationed here
since 1923).
The pier was damaged by storms in 1949, 1953, 1976 and 1978. In February
1990, gales destroyed the amusement arcade and, on the 14th of November
1993, a 100 ton rig crashed into the pier, isolating the theatre and
lifeboat station. Repairs were made in time for the 1994 season.
Major reconstruction work has been carried out since 1993 by contractors
Dossor East (first winners of the National Piers Society's 'Peter Mason
Award' for engineering excellence. In 1997, the old lifeboat house and
launching ramp were temporarily removed. The pier pavilion was reopened by
actor Stephen Fry on the 27th June 2004, but was damaged by a storm early in
the following year.
The seaward pavilion continues to stage traditional summer season variety
shows and Sunday concerts. The ambience of the pier is maintained by the
complete absence of any amusement machines or other modern artefacts. (ref:
www.piers.org.uk)
Pier official website:-
www.cromer-pier.com
Cromer Lighthouse
The first Cromer lighthouse was built in 1670.
Previously, lights were shown on the tower of the parish church. Landslips
showed that the original structure would eventually slip into the sea, and
so the existing tower was completed in 1883. It was converted to electric
operation in 1958 and automated in 1990.
(lifeboats to be added)
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