Originally named Crowsmere, little is known about Cromer's early days.

Video and pictures collated by Danielle Booden.

Until the late 14th century, a town named Shipden existed seaward to Cromer. Although it's long slipped into the depths, it's said at very low tides the remains of St Peter's Church, Shipden can still be seen, known as Church Rock.

Cromer has seen its fair share of destruction also. In 1845, a jetty which had survived since 1822 was destroyed during a storm and the old Cromer lighthouse fell foul to coastal erosion in 1866. In Jane Austen's novel, Emma, Cromer is mentioned as the best coastal town and it has remained popular with tourists since. Cromer was made fashionable by the spa-seeking Georgians and accessible by the Victorian railways.

Cromer's impressive Victorian pier has a theatre which runs a summer season variety show – and one at Christmas too – that is the envy of seaside stages across the country.