LIGHTHOUSE PIERS

Due to its long coastline, Norfolk has always had a strong connection with the sea, and this has led to the building of some fine lighthouse and piers. Many of these have been adapted over the years and not all have survived. Some lighthouses have been converted to private homes and many of the piers have been destroyed by the sea or in a fire. However, some classic examples of these famous seaside icons still exist and they are well worth seeking out.

The red and white striped lighthouse at Happisburgh, was built in 1791, originally one of a pair - the pair formed leading lights marking safe passage around the southern end of the treacherous Happisburgh Sands - but it was not always effective, as the graves in the churchyard show.

Inside, the 96 stone steps wind their way up the inside to the light at the top (134 feet above sea level).

The views of the coast and village are spectacular - on a clear day you can see for about 13 miles.

Hunstanton Lighthouse has been warning shipping of dangerous sandbanks in the Wash for many hundreds of years. The first Lighthouse was built here in 1666; the current building dates back to 1844.

Next to a holiday park, is what is left of a lighthouse in Winterton on Sea. The old lighthouse is now a private residence.

The Victorian Pier dominates the view of Cromer. Cromer Pier is around 450 feet long and was built in 1900 for a cost of about £17,000. The pier has a theatre and a working lifeboat station that you can visit.

At one end of Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth is the famous Britannia Pier. The original wooden structure was opened in July 1858 at a cost of £3,158s. It measured 700ft long but was badly damaged by the schooner 'James & Jessie' only a year later! In the 20th century, the wooden structure was replaced with a wooden/steel construction with a grand 2000 seat pavillion, opening in 1902. Only 7 years after the pavillion opened, it suffered a fire, a 2nd pavillion opened a year later but burn't to the ground in 1914! The 'Floral Hall' Ballroom, which opened in 1928, was only to survive 4 years - you guessed it, destroyed by fire - this was rebuilt and opened again in 1933. Amazingly, the pier survived the war, but was destroyed by yet another blaze in 1954! The 4th pavillion was rebuilt and opened in 1958. Amazingly, this construction has survived! As well as the theatre, the pier has a number of rides and stalls.

Formule 1 Fair Ride on Britannia Pier

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