East Runton Beach

Situated right next door to the well known Norfolk seaside resort of Cromer, with its Victorian pier and esplanade, is East Runton beach. Despite their proximity these are two very different beaches.

East Runton is a long, sandy beach backed by sloping sandstone cliffs and countryside beyond. You can glimpse Cromer’s pier in the distance, and in fact you can walk there along the beach in around 10 minutes.

Like West Runton next door the beach here is of interest to geologists and fossil hunters alike. The beach is home to the largest chalk reef in Europe and a wealth of fossils can be unearthed in the cliff face.

Towards the high tide mark the beach is somewhat pebbly, however as the tide goes out acres of sand are revealed. Along with a seasonal lifeguard service and plenty of rock-pools East Runton is a firm family favourite.

The beach at East Runton is one of Norfolk’s most popular surf spots.On the cliff-top overlooking the beach is the Surfers’ Memorial with its figure of a surfer as a weather vane. The memorial is for three local surfers who all died tragically young through various circumstances. The plaque reads:  “Waves come & go my friends, but your lights shine on”