NHER 39168 (Monument record) - Post medieval timber posts; remains of the 1846 pier

December 2004. Norfolk NMP.
An arrangement of posts is visible on aerial photographs in-between Cromer Pier and the East Groyne (S1). These posts form a grid arrangement although it is possible that they represent a fragment of a larger structure consisting of longer rows of parallel posts. It is possible that these represent the footings of the 1846 pleasure pier (Harbord, 2001:5, fig. 4) (S2). The footings for this pier are visible on a photograph from the 1880s (S3). This pier was much shorter and narrower than the present pier, as is visible on a photograph from the 1890s (S4). Lines of roughly parallel posts have been mapped to the immediate east (NHER 39162).
The site is centred on TG 2196 4239. The posts are all approximately 0.5m to 1m in diameter. Although it is hard to distinguish them clearly due to the surrounding beach material. There appears to be a grid of three rows of three main posts, 4m apart. Slightly smaller posts then flank the central three posts, one on each side, approximately 1m apart. It has been recorded that 13 rows of pier legs and iron ‘feet’ are still in situ at the north end on 2001 (ibid.). It seems likely that the 'posts' visible on the aerial photographs are three of the rows of pier footings.
S. Massey (NMP), 23 December 2004.

2008.
These are indeed the footings of the 1846 pier (S5) (S6).
D. Gurney (NLA) 1 August 2008.