I’d recommend any visitor to Cromer to approach from the south, starting at North Lodge Park and continuing along Surrey Street. The views as you weave through the landscape are truly stunning. There’s so much you can take in from these vantage points. Since it was the first day of my trip, I began with a small painting—this one capturing the RNLI Cromer’s flags whipping in the wind, with the iconic Cromer Pier in the background.
This trip marked my first painting journey to Cromer in 2024, and it was already June. “Uma,” my beloved VW Campervan, had been with us for years, a reliable companion, but time caught up with her—rust had taken over. I’d made the decision to restore her myself for the new year, but sadly, she’s still in bits and pieces.
Being my first return to Cromer in over a year, I approached the place with fresh eyes. Over the past months, I’d developed new ideas and techniques, and I was eager to challenge myself further, especially by experimenting with scale and elevation in my paintings. Cromer’s dramatic elevations provide artists with perspectives that are both invigorating and challenging, offering striking contrasts in scale that can create powerful compositions. My goal for this trip was to find scenes where I could explore these elements.
As you round the first corner from the route I mentioned, you come across a small garden with sweeping views across the gorge where boats are launched onto the beach. It’s a lovely spot for painting, enjoying a coffee, or grabbing a bite to eat. There are public toilets and benches as well. On that particular morning, I was already painting by 7 a.m., having driven two hours to get there. I had my trusty flask of coffee with me and met a delightful couple from New Zealand. They were “empty-nesters,” traveling the world in their motorhome. It was nice talking to them while I painted, and I gave them a few tips on beautiful and discreet places to stay along the coast, as they headed further south. Top spots, that will remain secret to a select few.
