Cromer Museum
Museum in a terrace of Victorian fishermen's cottages in Cromer with local history, North Norfolk fossils, the West Runton Mammoth and Olive Edis photographs.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Cromer Museum occupies East Cottages, a terrace of former fishermen's cottages beside the parish church in the centre of Cromer. The town council bought the five cottages in 1967, but the sitting tenants were allowed to stay, so the museum could only open on 15 June 1978, after which Norfolk Museums Service took over its care.
The collection was built up from nothing with the help of a public appeal, and an important local history collection assembled by Cyril Crawford Holden joined it in 1981. A redevelopment added a new entrance, shop, education room, lift and accessible toilets, and the museum reopened in spring 2006. In 2017 two galleries were dedicated to the photographer Olive Edis, and the museum holds the largest collection of her work anywhere.
Today visitors can step into a restored Victorian fisherman's cottage, learn about Cromer's rise as a seaside resort and the lifeboat crews led by Henry Blogg, and explore a geology gallery with fossils from the Norfolk coast, including bones of the West Runton Mammoth.
Highlights
- Restored Victorian fisherman's cottage
- Geology gallery with bones of the West Runton Mammoth and a Mosasaur skull cast
- Olive Edis galleries, the world's largest collection of her photographs
- 'Old Cromer' gallery of historic photographs and the story of the Victorian seaside resort
- Displays on the lifeboat rescues of Henry Blogg
Permanent exhibitions
- Geology Gallery – Fossils found in Norfolk, including bones of the West Runton Mammoth, Britain’s oldest and most complete mammoth skeleton, and a cast of a Mosasaur skull.
- Victorian fisherman's cottage and Old Cromer gallery – A restored cottage showing life in Cromer in the late 19th century, plus historic photographs and illustrations of the town and its rise as a seaside resort.
- Fishermen and Kings – Olive Edis galleries – Portraits of North Norfolk fishermen and early colour autochromes by the pioneering photographer Olive Edis.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Norfolk Museums Service
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5.04 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | –Over-65s, students and disabled people (concession rate) |
| Children & teens | £4.32free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 18; under-4s free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers and companions of disabled visitors are admitted free. |
| Groups (12+ people) | £4.80 per personPre-booked groups of 12 or more; group leader free. Concession groups £4.50, child groups £4.15. |
| Families | –A discounted adult rate applies when a paid child ticket is bought. |
| Twilight ticket (last hour before closing) | £1.50Price from the 2025 admission page. |
Prices from £5.04 for adults and £4.32 for children when booked online in advance; tickets at the door cost more (2025 door prices: adult £5.30, concession £5.00, child £4.60). Free with a Norfolk Museums Pass, National Art Pass or Museums Association membership, and for Friends of Cromer Museum, foster families, looked-after children and Children’s University members (proof may be requested). Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All public galleries and spaces are accessible, and a lift connects the ground and first floors. The lift cannot be used in a fire, so visitors unable to use the stairs are advised accordingly for the upper floor. Wheelchair and pushchair accessible toilets with baby changing are on the ground floor. Assistance dogs are welcome (other dogs are not allowed); a water bowl is available at reception. Large-print information and interpretation notes for companions of blind and partially sighted visitors are available on request.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Baby changing and pushchair accessible toilets are on the ground floor; children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cromer railway station · 10-min walk
Cromer railway station is about a 10-minute walk away and the bus station about 5 minutes; regular train, bus and coach services serve the town.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no car park of its own, but several signposted car parks are nearby.
The entrance is on Church Street (NR27 9ES), next to Cromer Parish Church and a 2-minute walk from the esplanade and beach. What3words: booms.escalates.grownup.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Museum shop
Museum shop with souvenirs, cards, books, traditional toys and local history guides. There is no café on site, but Cromer town centre has many cafés and restaurants nearby.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
The museum can be hired as a private venue for weddings and other events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guides are available. Schools and groups can book visits through the Education Officer; learning sessions are offered for Key Stages 1 and 2. Tickets can be bought at the door or booked online; booking ahead is recommended at busy times and tickets cannot be refunded. |
