Cromer Beach
Cromer Beach
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,017 reviews
Excellent
557
Very good
352
Average
82
Poor
17
Terrible
9
Rory Enright
Harrogate, UK68 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
People rave about this beach, but I have no idea why. We were there on the hottest day in July, on a Sunday too, so it was very busy. Fair enough. However, this is not what I’d call a beach - large, sharp shingle, with small patches of sand, strewn all over with rubbish. Dirty, filthy and uncomfortable. The sea slopes away sharply, and is bedded with razor sharp rocks, so you can’t swim or paddle. On top of all this, the walk down from the car park is long and although not super steep, when you’re covered in sand, have cuts all over your feet from the shingle and stones, have a two year old with you and it’s 28 degrees, you can see why walking uphill for 20 minutes might not be everyone’s idea of fun. I know there’ll be a lot of people saying “duh, it’s a beach, of course you need to walk down to it”. I just can’t help thinking that whoever successfully marketed this beach as “Notfolk’s gem” (because that’s what people call it) must’ve been a miracle worker. I’ve been to a lot of beaches in my life, and this is nothing at all to write home about.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK2,948 contributions
Feb 2020
I visited Cromer Beach in February, it was a bit chilly but it is still a great place to visit. The beach stretches for quite a distance and so there is plenty of space. You can walk quite a distance along the beach and it is fairly easy on the feet.
The majority of the beach is sandy but there are stones/pebbles so be careful if you are barefoot. There are a number of groynes along the beach to prevent longshore drift so be careful if you are jumping over them.
It is a great place to walk and experience the fresh air and feel good.
The majority of the beach is sandy but there are stones/pebbles so be careful if you are barefoot. There are a number of groynes along the beach to prevent longshore drift so be careful if you are jumping over them.
It is a great place to walk and experience the fresh air and feel good.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James P
Cambridge, UK2,654 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We spent a week in Cromer, staying in an Airbnb. We visited the beach each day and although the weather wasn't great everyday we still enjoyed the time. There is little beach at high tide, so check the local tide times. At low tide there is some sand but still mostly large stones. The beach is big so walking a few hundred yards along means that you have plenty of space around you.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise R
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We went to visit for the first time and spent the afternoon here. We found this beach lovely and refreshing and quieter compared to other beaches such as Skegness and ingolmells - Cromer is full of charm with a vintage feel, with a pirate ship themed free play area for the kids, and reasonably priced food, drink and parking. The beach was lovely and a mix of pebbles and sand, perfect for kids who love to both look for pebbles and make sand castles. We will definitely return.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun L
Clanfield, UK2,706 contributions
Aug 2021
First time to Cromer. Always been keen to visit but with this our first time into Norfolk it looked like a lot of people had the same idea. Took a while to park the car but we did so eventually a little bit further up from the main centre. Wow it was busy with people walking around and of course using the beach. It’s a classic English beach with a pier, gift shops, cafés and indeed fish & chips. The beach itself is sandy although had some rocks around so perhaps a few rockpools if you are lucky. You could walk the coast path for ours and then return for a bite to eat. However at the height of Summer that popularity has drawbacks with large queues for food & drinks. But after all that we have been through during Covid it was nice to see the local businesses taking some money. If it is busy though just bear in mind the traffic too!
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnny
Nottinghamshire, UK265 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
A very clean beach with plenty to see and do locally, including plenty of cafes and toilet facilities.
The beach itself is a mix of sand and stones
and there are dedicated dog friendly areas.
Really interesting walks in both directions with fantastic views and with a great pier to explore as well.
As an added bonus if you time it right you can see the fisherman come back with their catch and watch as they use the tractors to bring their boats up the beach.
The beach itself is a mix of sand and stones
and there are dedicated dog friendly areas.
Really interesting walks in both directions with fantastic views and with a great pier to explore as well.
As an added bonus if you time it right you can see the fisherman come back with their catch and watch as they use the tractors to bring their boats up the beach.
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred G
Newcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom112 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
First ever visit to Cromer today whilst on holiday in Norfolk. Disjointed, lifeless town with no definitive 'centre', just a few streets straggling off other streets. A couple of interesting gift shops and some nice old architecture. The people seem friendly, the beach is nice up near the beach hut end, but the pier is very average and even a walk to the end didn't stir up much interest in our group. After 2 hours, we were struggling to find things to do/see, but we'd paid £6 for 4 hours parking.
Came specifically to try the 'famous' Cromer crab......but it was closed 😕
Came specifically to try the 'famous' Cromer crab......but it was closed 😕
Written February 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hum
Aldershot, UK85 contributions
Jun 2021
If parking, West Runton is the place to park at the holiday park. The beach is lovely with soft sand and choppy waves but after 12pm it can be extremely busy. Cromer town always has lots to offer though it can be very busy and narrow. Arcade at the bottom is great and you can win tokens as well as 2p change machines - meaning more likely to be prizes.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJC
95 contributions
Jul 2020
Had a nice afternoon at Cromer Beach. We arrived to find it at high tide, but found areas of sand and shingle to sit. We sat on the northern side of the pier under the cliffs, away from the main attractions and town. The beach was nice, dog friendly and offered plenty of space. Toilets are available up on the cliff top near the car park. As a note, the car park now offers payment via 'MiPermit' app which will save you queuing.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holidaymanWashington
Washington, UK4,128 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
It is quite an exposed coastline, so the area nearest to the town centre and pier has high, concrete sea walls. The beach is also interspersed with breakwaters at regular intervals. The back of the beach tends to consist of large pebbles and shingle then into good, firm golden sand, as the tide recedes. A great place for a walk or whatever, at low tide. Behind the beach, at each end of the town, is a row of colourful beach huts. Of course, the beach is in fact, split into two by the magnificent pier.
Written May 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kitty81cat
East Riding of Yorkshire, UK110 contributions
Is it far to get to the beach from the car park? Will be visiting this weekend with 2 young children plus bags etc!
holidaymanWashington
Washington, UK4,128 contributions
No. Cromer is quite a compact town and easy to get around.
NAT
Swindon, UK58 contributions
Are dogs allowed on the beach in September?
Ginette Perry
Leicester, UK626 contributions
At certain times of year
How to go to this beach from UEA , Norwich after 5 pm
David P
Stoke-on-Trent, UK53 contributions
As above spot on.
Poppapolly
London, UK2 contributions
we are staying near Cromer end of August, is it possible to hire a beach hut in advance?
AndrewUK2013
Coopers Beach, New Zealand364 contributions
I think you should contact the council or the tourist information centre.
TravellerNearLondon
Near London139 contributions
I just wanted to post a correction to a recent review of Cromer Beach saying that dogs are allowed on the beach on leads in August. This is INCORRECT - dogs are NOT allowed on the main beach by the pier between May 1st and September 30, whether on a lead or otherwise. There are signs up to say this along the seafront.
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