Cromer Crabs and Fossil Fun at Seacroft

Seacroft Caravan Club Site

Family In-site:
This week we've been staying in the popular north Norfolk seaside town of Cromer. This is a popular site, open throughout the year. I can imagine what it is like in summer: pitches fully booked and buzzing with outdoor activity, children splashing around in the outdoor swimming pool and a bar / restaurant area with doors thrown open to welcome passers-by. It is now late autumn and although the temperatures are reasonably mild they do not match the highs of summer but that has not detered the constant stream of visitors to the Seacroft site. We have stayed for a week and seen pitches empty and fill with regularity. The swimming pool is closed for the winter and the bar / restaurant runs winter opening hours but that's not what we or the other visitors are here for. Seacroft Caravan Club site is popular because of its location. It sits on the seaside road out of Cromer and there's plenty to see and do.
- Stroll along the seafront. It's a short walk into Cromer and it's fascinating to see the beach and sea defences built to protect the coastline. During our stay, sea defence work was talking place, contructing concrete aprons and improving the sea wall and groynes. Althought the view wasn't picturesque it certainly was interesting.
- Wander through Cromer's streets which still have a predominantly Victorian feel. The pier and Hotel de Paris are often used for filming; David Walliams was in town filming for a BBC One Agatha Christie drama the week before we arrived.
- Visit the RNLI museum and learn about Henry Blogg, the RNLI's most decorated lifesboatman. The museum illustrates the history of lifeboats that have served Cromer's coastline and focuses on the life of coxswain, Henry Blogg (who couldn't even swim!)
- Contrast old with new and compare the old lifeboats with the modern day equivalents at the lifeboat station at the end of Cromer pier.
- Find out about the local delicacy - Cromer Crabs. The town is proud of its famous speciality and many shops and cafes sell dressed crabs and related snacks. The Davies Fish shop on Garden Street are extremely welcoming; staff are happy to talk about anything and everything to do with crabs! Just ask for Rose, who has been working there for over 30 years!
- Go fossiling at East Runton beach. A short walk in the opposite direction to Cromer will take you to East Ruton. The slipway leads to a sandy beach with chalky cliffs. Turn to the left and walk along the cliffs, hunting for any sightings of fossils, which are commonly found in the area. If you do find anything, take it along to the Little Gems shop in Cromer where the fossil experts are more than happy to identify your fossils and provide information about their passion.
- If a keen nature lover, the Norfolk coast has a lot to offer. The National trail follows the North Norfolk coastline between Hunstanton and Sheringham, a total distance 150km. The path passes through salt marshes, by sandy cliffs and along shingle beaches. The abundant birdlife is popular with twitchers and the appearance of seals is always a treat.
- Spend a day at Sea Palling - a beautiful beach with dramatic breakwater sea defences and stunning sand dunes. Take a picnic and some spare cash for an ice-cream.
- Head down to Horsey. This was recommended to us by a few locals and we can thoroughlt recommend it; it is an alternative option if wanting to see seals. Blakeney is the usual and popular choice with boat trips to the beaches where seals laze but for a less touristy option a simple walk between Sea Palling and Horsey is almost guaranteed to excite and amaze. We wandered along the beach as dusk fell and happened upon a colony of grey seals. Since it was mid November, there were fluffy coated seal pups lying vulnerably by their protective mothers, older seal pups tumbling and playing amongst the breaking waves and large male seals lazing on the beach, keeping a watchful eye. We kept out distance, appreciating the wonder of this natural sight and didn't outstay our welcome.

Seaside visits don't have to be a summertime treat. Visiting Seacroft in late November proved to be very fulfilling. We had a wonderful week of family fun and thoroughly recommend a visit.