UK's famous seaside town with huge pier and top rated fish and chip shops

A quintessentially British seaside town with a criminally 'underrated' beach has been crowned one of the 'loveliest' parts of the UK. Tucked away on the north coast of , Cromer is a booming coastal resort where rugged cliffs melt into golden sands.

You can expect all your seaside must-haves in this picturesque town - from rows of arcades to crystal clear waters and a long stretch of pristine beach. But, Cromer also boasts a rather explosive history - with dainty Victorian architecture still standing strong amid modern B&Bs and eateries.

It also gained fame for being the location of Banksy's Great British Spraycation artwork series after the anonymous artist left a mural on the town's sea wall. depicts a group of hermit crabs, which pay homage to the town's penchant for fresh seafood, with one in a shell holding a sign stating: "Luxury rentals only."

The tagline references Cromer's soaring popularity, which has resulted in a slew of homes being turned into short-term rentals - despite locals pushing back. In fact, last year Cromer was crowned one of Britain's top 24 'Airbnb hotspots'.

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"Cromer Pier is home to a lifeboat station and Pavilion Theatre, where the UK's only remaining traditional end of the pier variety show takes place each Summer and Winter," Visit North Norfolk hailed. "The pier is an enduring example of Victorian architecture, having withstood many storms, tidal surges and even an attempt to blow it up by the Government in WW2 to prevent the pier being used as a landing strip for enemy invaders!"

Of course, a trip to the seaside isn't complete without a huge helping of Fish & Chips. No1 Cromer, which is owned by acclaimed chef Galton Blackiston, who also manages the Michelin-starred Morston Hall, was crowned one of the top 20 chip shops in the UK. It was recently named as a finalist in the 'Restaurant of the Year' category at the 2025 National Fish and Chip Awards too.

Even literary icon Jane Austen approved of the coastal gem. As previously reported, she wrote in her iconic novel Emma: "You should have gone to Cromer... the best of all the sea bathing places. A fine open sea... and very pure air."

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Cromer is just under 150 miles from London, meaning it'll take around three hours and 17 minutes in the car. However, getting the train will cut up to 45 minutes off the journey. You'll need to swap trains (likely at Norwich station) but can grab single adult fares from just £13 if you book in advance.

Accommodation in Cromer will get more expensive during the summer months, but you'll still be able to find something to suit your budget. A weekend's stay (Friday, April 25-27) at the will set you back £351, based on two people sharing a standard double room. However, a studio apartment at , which is just 0.9 miles from the centre, costs just £193 for the exact same dates.

*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

What's your favourite UK seaside resort? Let us know in the comments section below