Latest news with #PieroftheYear
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Seaside town with 'best pier in UK' and amazing views is UK's most beautiful
Cromer in Norfolk has been crowned the most beautiful seaside town in the UK, with its rugged cliffs, golden sands and charming Victorian pier making it a hit with visitors There's a certain seaside spot that is stealing hearts as the UK's most stunning coastal town. Perched precariously atop dramatic cliffs facing the North Sea, Cromer in Norfolk is a vision of natural beauty, peppered with verdant woodlands. The town is known for its Victorian pier, thriving with life and entertainment. Buzzing with activity, the Pavilion Theatre on the pier plays host to an array of shows, while further attractions include addictive arcade games and an inviting seafront strewn with quaint shops and tempting eateries. Adding to its accolades, Cromer Pier has scooped up the coveted 'Pier of the Year' award for 2024 from the National Piers Society, reflecting its enormous appeal to tourists. It's fondly referred to as the "gem of the Norfolk coast" due to its spectacular scenery. Literary giants have sought solace and inspiration in this coastal haven; Jane Austen immortalised it in 'Emma', extolling its virtues as a premier spot for sea bathing, praising both its panoramic ocean vistas and invigorating air. Resonating with mystery and intrigue, Arthur Conan Doyle conjured up 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', drawing from Cromer's rich tapestry of local myths, including tales of the Black Shuck, an eerie canine spectre reputed to roam the shores. For those craving that quintessential British beach experience, Cromer doesn't disappoint - with its resplendent golden sands complemented by brightly coloured beach huts, offering a sublime setting for leisurely promenades, sun-drenched relaxation, or a snorkelling adventure. For those wanting a change from the seaside, Cromer offers the delightful Amazona Zoo. Here, you can meet over 200 tropical animals from South America, including jaguars, parrots, monkeys, and even guinea pigs in their own village. However, the real jewel of Cromer is its parish, with a towering spire offering stunning views of the town and countryside. It's a must-see for any keen photographer or tourist. Visitors have been singing praises about Cromer on Google Reviews, applauding its untouched beauty and lack of crowds. One satisfied holidaymaker labelled it "the most beautiful yet underrated beach," while others praised its quaint shops, lively atmosphere, and delicious fish and chips. Every August, Cromer bursts into life with its spectacular Carnival, featuring a dazzling parade, fireworks, live music, and more. And music fans won't want to miss Golk on the Pier, a folk-rock festival hailed as the "best gig on the North Sea" for its fantastic lineup. For seafood lovers, Cromer is famous for its delicious crab, available fresh from March to October. Don't miss the Crab and Lobster Festival in May, where you can enjoy cooking competitions, live music, and local produce stalls. Links Restaurant is a must-visit for seafood lovers, serving up mouth-watering dishes featuring locally sourced crab and lobster. For a gourmet twist on the classic fish and chips, head to No. 1 Cromer, owned by Michelin-starred chef Galton Blackiston, which offers stunning seaside views. Sweet lovers should not miss Herald's Fine Chocolates, a haven of handmade treats including fudges, marzipan fruits and more. With its lively events, fantastic food, and breathtaking coastal views, Cromer guarantees an unforgettable seaside getaway.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Little-known UK seaside town with pristine sands and award-winning pier
Located on the north coast of Norfolk, this town is perfect for a traditional seaside holiday, home to a bustling pier, award-winning beach and a wealth of family-friendly events and festivals Golf enthusiasts may already know about this reputable seaside town, but it has so much more to offer than what first meets the eye. Breathtaking coastal views, beaches and a historic pier can be explored by those looking for a traditional UK seaside holiday or a perfect day trip destination. Cromer is located on the north coast of Norfolk, about 23 miles from the medieval city of Norwich. The coastal town became a resort in the early 1800s and built its reputation welcoming rich local families, including the future King Edward VII who was known to enjoy a game of golf in the area. In fact, the seaside town is still a world-class hub for avid golfers as it is home to one of the top 100 golf courses in England: the Royal Cromer Golf Club. The Club was founded in 1888 and is one of only 66 'royal' clubs in the world and has 18 holes that stretch alongside the Cromer and Overstrand cliffs. The clifftop course ensures golfers and all visitors enjoy fantastic and unique coastal views. Even the famous Oscar Wilde couldn't deny the appeal of the greens, having said: 'I find Cromer excellent for writing, but the golf even better.' But again, there is much more to this seaside resort than its golf attractions. Travellers interested in a more traditional seaside holiday will want to make a beeline for the town's historic pier. Cromer Pier is one of only five seaside piers in the UK with an active theatre and the only one that puts on a traditional end-of-the-pier variety show each summer and winter. A model of classic Victorian architecture, the 495-foot pier won 'Pier of the Year' in 2024. Open all year round, it reportedly has the best crab fishing anywhere in Norfolk and is a memorable and relaxing place to spend a day and sample local treats. In 2025, the summer variety show at the Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre will run from June 28 to September 20. If you plan a summer visit, you may want to time your travel to coincide with another town celebration: Carnival Week. Cromer celebrates its Carnival Week in August and the festival includes the crowning of a Carnival Queen and street parade. The family-friendly event is one of the largest Carnivals in the country and the highlight of the season. This year it will run from August 16 to August 22. If you're in the mood to learn about some local history as well, head to the Cromer Museum. It is located in a row of late 19th Century Victorian fisherman's cottages and features displays on the lifeboatmen over the years, the growth of tourism and what happened to the town during wartime. There are also fascinating exhibits on the geology and archaeology of the area. If you want to learn more about the coastline specifically, you can visit the Deep History Coast Discovery Point. Here, you can learn about what the area was like thousands of years ago. There's even an app you can download to take a guided tour along the coast to uncover its history and see how it used to look. There are also ample opportunities to enjoy the local landscape up close. Travellers can walk along stretches of coastal cliffs - some as high as 230-feet. And no mention of Cromer would be complete without a description of its incredible beaches. The town is home to several impressive sands, including the award-winning West Runton Beach and Cromer Beach. Beachgoers can partake in watersports by hiring surfboards or SUPs, laze in the pristine sands. There is also a weekly market and plenty of independent shops to browse for those wanting to take home some souvenirs.
North Wales Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Garth Pier in Bangor prepares to celebrate 129th birthday
The event on Sunday, May 18, will see a fun-filled family day on the pier from 12pm to 5pm. There will be live music, food and drink stalls, and children's entertainment. The pier, which opened on May 14, 1896, is one of Bangor's most cherished landmarks. It has undergone extensive renovations, including a £1 million restoration project that began in August 2017. The project, funded by Bangor City Council, included strengthening the structure and adding new handrails on the pier deck. The pier attracted more than 128,000 visitors in 2024 alone. In 2022, it won the Pier of the Year award. The views from Garth Pier are one of its highlights, with sweeping panoramas across the Menai Strait, Snowdonia's mountains, and Anglesey's coastlines. The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier, a charity established in 2022, has been instrumental in the pier's resurgence. (Image: Supplied) With more than 70 volunteers, they manage the entrance kiosk and gift shop. Avril Wayte, chair of the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier, said: "We're incredibly proud of how far the pier has come, and our annual birthday party is a wonderful way to celebrate the pier's history, its future, and the people who make it so special. "It's all about community, colour, and keeping this incredible place full of life." Dr Martin Hanks, city director from Bangor City Council, added: "We're delighted to be celebrating the pier's birthday as part of the 1,500th year and we look forward to welcoming the community to mark this special occasion." The pier is home to several businesses, including the Pavilion Café, the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier Shop, Strait o Gymru, Whistlestop Café, a traditional sweet shop and arcade, and Julie's Art Gallery. Admission to the birthday event is £2 for adults and £1 for children, with proceeds supporting the continued care and development of the pier.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful UK seaside town 11 miles from Brighton loved by tourists but not as busy
Worthing offers a more comfortable pace of life and less congestion, as well as easy access to Brighton's culture, clubs and amenities, making it an excellent choice for a seaside stay The party city of Brighton is often jam packed with rowdy crowds of visitors after a good time. But a neighbouring town, just 11 miles down the road offers an appealing experience that's more relaxed and less crowded, but still jam-packed with its own unique charm. Worthing offers a comfortable and laid-back vibe, making it ideal for those who want to unwind by the sea without the buzz of a busy city in the background. Another key reason to visit Worthing is affordability — accommodation, dining and general expenses tend to be significantly lower than in major UK seaside resorts, making it the perfect option for visitors who want to enjoy a coastal holiday without the premium price tag. The town boasts beautiful natural surroundings, including the South Downs National Park to the north and a unique marine environment, known as the Worthing Lumps, featuring underwater chalk reefs that are among the best in Europe. These natural features offer excellent opportunities for outdoor activities including hiking, cycling and watersports. The town also benefits from a temperate oceanic climate with pleasant sea breezes, enhancing the experience for visitors who enjoy nature and leisure in the great outdoors. The town also has its own historic pleasure pier, opened in 1862 and designed by Sir Robert Rawlinson, which stretches 290m into the sea, featuring a promenade, amusement arcade, tearoom and pavilion. It won the National Piers Society's Pier of the Year award twice — in 2006 and 2019 — and remains a central attraction for walking, fishing and enjoying the incredible seaside views. While Brighton is renowned for its vibrant artistic and nightclub scenes, Worthing has been developing its own cultural identity with annual events such as the Worthing Festival, Artists' Open Houses, open-air concerts and Worthing Pride, with 2025's instalment falling on 4 and 5 July. The town also celebrates unique traditions such as wassailing — an ancient custom, particularly in cider-producing regions of England, believed to help ensure a good apple harvest — in Tarring, which took place on 5 January earlier this year. The event typically includes a procession through the village, followed by a ceremony at a pub garden, where a wassail chant is read and cider is offered to the trees. Worthing's location is another key advantage, just 11 miles west of Brighton, making it easy to enjoy the best of both worlds. Visitors can stay in the quieter, more affordable town of Worthing, but still make the short trip to Brighton for shopping, nightlife and cultural activities, allowing for flexibility while not having to endure Brighton's higher costs and bustling crowds on a daily basis. Drivers will appreciate Worthing's accessible parking and lower levels of traffic congestion compared with Brighton — where parking is limited and often expensive, making exploring the town and surrounding areas convenient and stress-free. Worthing appeals to those who prefer a quieter, more affordable seaside town with beautiful natural surroundings and growing cultural scene, offering a comfortable pace of life, less congestion and easier parking, as well as providing easy access to Brighton's culture.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside city with huge 1.3-mile pier ranked the best in the entire country
Southend boasts the longest pleasure pier on the planet, which also holds the world record for having the longest railway on a public pier, according to the Guinness Book of Records Southend-on-Sea is a vibrant waterfront destination on the Essex coast boasting a world-famous pier that was recently voted the best in Britain in a study carried out by the Telegraph. Located in the gaping mouth of the Thames Estuary, Southend isn't technically a seaside destination, but undoubtedly offers the full British seafront experience and atmosphere, complete with a bustling promenade, Blue Flag Award -winning beach — guaranteeing clean, safe and beautiful surroundings — and a lively city centre. Its easy access from London makes it a popular getaway for families, couples and day-trippers alike. Beyond the beach, Southend boasts a variety of attractions, from amusement arcades and adventure parks to historic hotels and cultural venues. But above all, it is the pier that defines Southend's identity and draws visitors from around the globe. Opened in 1830 and rebuilt in iron in 1889, Southend Pier is not just the longest pier in the UK, it's the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretching an astonishing 1.33 miles (2.14 km) into the Thames Estuary. As poet Sir John Betjeman famously put it: 'The Pier is Southend; Southend is the Pier.' The pier is so long that it has its own railway — the first built on a pier in the UK — offering a charming and practical way to reach its head. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it holds the world record for the longest railway on a public pier. At the pier's end, the striking Royal Pavilion hosts live performances, exhibitions and community events. Visitors can enjoy refreshments in quirky beach huts or at the café, all the while taking in panoramic estuary views. For those interested in history, the Pier Museum offers fascinating exhibits on its construction, railway and role in local life. There's a fairground featuring a ferris wheel, wacky walk of mirrors and crazy golf course, meaning there's a wide range of entertainment for people of all ages. Anglers will find the pier a hotspot for fishing, with flounder, bass and mackerel among the common catches. Southend Pier has twice been named Pier of the Year by the National Piers Society, first in 2007 and then in 2023. Recent investments include new eco-friendly trains, upgraded facilities and creative use of historic train carriages as seating, all contributing to record visitor numbers and glowing reviews. In short, Southend Pier offers an experience you simply cannot find anywhere else in the world, never mind the country. Whether you're walking further out into the water than you can anyplace else on the planet, riding on the iconic train, enjoying a show at the Royal Pavilion, or just soaking up the sea air, Southend Pier is without doubt the definitive British pier.
