Seaside getaways aren’t just for summer especially if you live in London and crave a slice of sea air without the fight for deck chair space.
While Brighton has long been the go-to for city escapees, this town is just over three hours from London by train (around three and a half hours by car) and offers a Victorian-era vibe reminiscent of Brighton but without the tourist crowds and higher prices.
Known for its colourful beach huts, a lively but less bustling pier with one of only five end-of-pier theatres in the UK, and its famous local delicacy the sweet, tender crab caught from nearby chalk reefs, this coastal town provides a delightful blend of traditional seaside appeal and character.
Cromer – the perfect seaside winter getaway from London
This gem is situated 23 miles north of Norwich and near Sheringham. This is a great alternative to the likes of Brighton or Margate, especially for those who crave a quieter, very pretty British seaside destination in the off-season months. It’s just a short journey from London Liverpool Street station.
So for Londoners dreaming of a coastal break beyond the usual hotspots, pack your coat and scarf for a place that captures the essence of seaside Britain with fewer crowds and plenty of charm: Cromer on the Norfolk coast.
Cromer might not have Brighton’s electric nightlife or Pride parades (yet), but what it lacks in crowds, it makes up for in pure character. Once a fashionable resort for Victorian holidaymakers, this colourful seaside town is now drawing a new wave of creatives, weekenders, and those desperate for some seaside calm.
Art galleries fill the high street, pastel-hued houses paint the promenade, and the town’s independent shops ooze coastal nostalgia from record stores to retro ice cream parlours. There’s even a Brighton-esque artistic streak running through it; think fewer arcades, more vintage lamps and crab sandwiches served on mismatched crockery.
Cromer – home to one of Britain’s last remaining end-of-pier theatres
The seafront’s Victorian pier is the heart of the town, home to one of Britain’s last remaining end-of-pier theatres. Every festive season, it hosts the Cromer Pier Christmas Show, a gloriously kitsch spectacle that rivals a West End panto minus the Piccadilly ticket prices.
If you’re after a pre-Christmas weekend away from London, the show runs from mid-November right through to December 28, complete with sequins, slapstick, and sea spray.
Food-wise, Cromer is proudly known for its namesake crab. The town’s seafood shacks, coastal pubs, and snug cafés (many with roaring fires) are reason enough to make the journey. Pair that with a pint of Norfolk ale, and you’ll forget all about Brighton’s bustling beachfront.
In between bites, browse the independent galleries or climb the 160-foot tower of St Peter and St Paul Church, Norfolk’s tallest, for an unbeatable view of wind-whipped waves and rooftops below. For walkers, a section of the Norfolk Coast Path passes straight through town – a brisk, scenic route perfect for an autumn or winter escape.
Getting to Cromer from London
By train, Cromer is around three hours from London Liverpool Street, with a quick change at Norwich. Drivers can expect a leisurely three-and-a-half-hour journey along the A11, passing through stretches of classic Norfolk countryside.