Cliffs and Hungry Seas
An heroic lifeboatman and delicious crabs are just two things that have made Cromer famous. The Royal National Lifeboat Instituteâs Henry Blogg was an old man when he died in 1954, but anyone reading about his exploits in plucking imperilled sailors from the treacherous sea will wonder how he managed to cheat death for so long. His bravery is legendary and he was awarded more medals and commendations than any other lifeboatman in the British Isles, and hundreds of sailors owed him their lives. You can learn more about Blogg at the Henry Blogg Museum in Cromer. Cromer crabs, said to be the best in the country, are caught on long lines from little clinker-built boats that chug out to sea regardless of the weather. Once the pots are out, the fishermen must collect them the following day, whether a gale is raging or not. Tractors haul the boats to and from the waterâs edge, and watching them makes for an interesting diversion.
While you're there: Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century house owned by the National Trust. Besides the house, there are way-marked woodland and lakeside trails and a traditional walled garden with a dovecote and an orangery.
What to look out for: Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) was perhaps best known for the Cenotaph, Whitehall and the Indian capital of New Delhi. He designed a number of buildings in Overstrand including The Pleasaunce (1897) and Overstrand Hall (1899).
Where to eat and drink: The Cliff Top CafÃ©, near the car park, is handy for snacks. The Foundry Arms in Northrepps serves bar snacks and coffee.
Directions:
Itâs almost impossible to get lost on this walk. Start in the car park and walk to the flag-pole. To your left you will see the cliff path winding away through brambles. This is part of the Paston Way. Follow this past the golf course, where you will be able to see your destination - Cromer Pier. It is important to keep to the path at all times - too far to the right and you will fall over the cliffs, going too far to the left will put you at risk from flying golf balls.
The path goes up and down a fair amount. When you reach the lighthouse at the end of the golf course, the path drops steeply. Eventually it becomes paved and you reach the first houses. Follow signs to the seafront, passing the monument to Blogg and a tiny garden. When the footpath ends, cross the street and turn right on to Brunswick Terrace, a pathway with railings. Then go straight along East Cliff, passing St Peter and St Paulâs Church (originally 15th century, but restored in 1862) on your left. Go right down Jetty Street to the pier which was built in 1900 to replace one lost in 1895. Walk down the ramp to the beach, turn right and walk for about 2 miles (3.2km) until you reach a slipway for boats.
Follow the zig zag pathpwards to the top of the cliffs. The car park is just ahead of you.
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