Pavilion Theatre

The Pavilion Theatre sits right on Cromer's seafront, a proper seaside theatre that's been entertaining visitors since the Victorian era. It's the sort of place where you half expect a brass band to strike up at any moment - all gilt and red velvet, with that specific smell of old theatres that somehow never gets old. The building itself is worth the visit even if you're not catching a show: the ornate facade and interior decor are genuine period pieces, not theme-park approximations.

You'll find variety in the programme - summer shows, pantomime in winter, tribute acts, the occasional touring production. It's proper community theatre stuff, which means you get genuine warmth rather than slick professionalism, and frankly that's often more fun. Families with teenagers tend to enjoy it more than small children, though the panto season obviously caters to all ages.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - The Grove Glamping is barely a stone's throw away, or Manor Farm if you're after something more traditional - the theatre makes an excellent rainy afternoon backup or evening outing. Cromer itself is compact enough that you can combine it with the pier, the promenade walk, and fish and chips without much effort. Worth ringing ahead for current opening hours and admission prices, as these vary seasonally. The cliff-top location means there's genuinely nice sea air about the place, which beats being crammed in a multiplex any day.