Banksy artwork in Cromer Norfolk covered up by storms

The stencilled painting appeared on a section of sea wall at Cromer beach in August 2021, and was later confirmed to be part of the mysterious street artist's 'Great British Spraycation' series.

Located near the beach huts at the east end of the town, the art once depicted a crab with a shell on its back holding a sign reading 'Luxury Rentals Only' while facing a trio of crabs without shells.

The Banksy artwork at Cromer beach first appeared in August 2021 as part of the street artist's 'Great British Spraycation' (Image: Sue Edwards)

But it has now disappeared after being covered up by stones which have piled up against the wall in high tides and storm conditions. 

The now hidden artwork was vandalised last year, with the words in the speech bubble being replaced with several exclamation marks, and question marks being added above each of the other three crabs.

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The Banksy artwork at Cromer beach, which was part of the street artist's Great British Spraycation, has been covered up after recent storms (Image: Martyn Cornell)

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) said last year that it would be "surprised if it survives the winter".

It said longshore drift has led to the build-up of stones covering the art. 

"The Banksy is exposed to the elements," a NNDC spokesperson said. 

"The council applied a resin to protect it with the view that it would last a little longer, but the weather and natural processes would gradually deteriorate it.

"The piece is a snapshot in time, reflected in both location and message, and we’re glad that residents and visitors have been able to enjoy it for as long as they have."

The vandalised Banksy in Cromer, on the section of sea wall near the beach huts at the east end of the town (Image: Adam Barker)

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Other works in Banksy's Great British Spraycation included a giant seagull painted on the side of a block of flats in Katwijk Way, Lowestoft, which was removed and reportedly could have sold for anywhere from £1m to £3m at auction. 

There was also a miniature thatched stable with the words 'Go Big or Go Home' on its side at Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth, which sold for £1m at auction.

Other Banksy works which remain in place include a couple dancing on top of a bus stop on Admiralty Road, in Great Yarmouth, and a painting of children playing in a boat at Nicholas Everitt Park, in Oulton Broad.