Sheringham
Sheringham photos (33 available)
Sheringham maps (2 available)
Map of Norfolk
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
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Sheringham books (6 available)
- 9 photos on Sheringham appear in 4 Frith books - View photos of Sheringham
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Sheringham and Norfolk
Sheringham memories
Read and share memories of Sheringham and Norfolk inspired by Frith photos
The Beach
When I look at these old photos, Sheringham has not changed that much, it's very strange though seeing the old Grand Hotel. I used to take the ponies round the roundabout as a young child to earn money during the summer. The water trough is still there but full of flowers instead of horses' noses.
Contributed by Claire Williamson
Names of Lifeboatmen....
The gentleman laying on the ground in the front is my great grandfather John 'Teapot' West. He was a fisherman and lifeboatman but also well known for being a 'Fisherman Evangelist'. Together with William Craske and William Long he was a Methodist Preacher for over 50 years. They travelled throughout the county preaching and after visitors heard them they appeared at rallies in such places as London, Birmingham and Liverpool. These fishermen/lifeboatmen were strong, brave and somewhat exceptional men. There is a phrase used which I think fits them beautifully - 'Iron Men in Wooden Boats'.
Pictured from left:
1. Henry 'Joyful' West
2. Wilson Able (with pipe)
3. Grice (in the background - unsure of Christian name)
4. 'Brighams' ...read more here
Contributed by Barbara West
Norfolk memories
The Beach
When I look at these old photos, Sheringham has not changed that much, it's very strange though seeing the old Grand Hotel. I used to take the ponies round the roundabout as a young child to earn money during the summer. The water trough is still there but full of flowers instead of horses' noses.
A memory of Sheringham contributed by Claire Williamson
Names of Lifeboatmen....
The gentleman laying on the ground in the front is my great grandfather John 'Teapot' West. He was a fisherman and lifeboatman but also well known for being a 'Fisherman Evangelist'. Together with William Craske and William Long he was a Methodist Preacher for over 50 years. They travelled throughout the county preaching and after visitors heard them they appeared at rallies in such places as London, Birmingham and Liverpool. These fishermen/lifeboatmen were strong, brave and somewhat exceptional men. There is a phrase used which I think fits them beautifully - 'Iron Men in Wooden Boats'.
Pictured from left:
1. Henry 'Joyful' West
2. Wilson Able (with pipe)
3. Grice (in the background - unsure of Christian name)
4. 'Brighams' ...read more here
A memory of Sheringham contributed by Barbara West
Extracts From Sheringham & Norfolk books
A typically ramshackle fishermen’s scene, with boats drawn up on the
shingle, which is littered with maritime paraphernalia. As tourism
expanded, and smart visitors arrived in ever greater numbers, such unti-
diness was frowned on by local businesses—the town had to smarten
up its image.
An extract from from"Norfolk Pocket Album".
Noble trees cluster round the churchyard wall. To the left is the
public drinking fountain, decorated with embedded pebbles, which
was constructed in the 1820s. The lane is plain compacted mud.
In winter it would be treacherous. To the south of the town is
remote heath and woodland.
An extract from from"Norfolk Pocket Album".
Sheringham fishermen gather round a lobster boat for the camera. They
ventured out in open boats in all weathers. Fishing was a rough and
dangerous way to earn a living. The North Sea tides could prove fatal for
small craft, and more than once the Cromer lifeboat was forced out into
bad weather to rescue whelkers. These men are suitably dressed for foul
conditions in their thigh-length sea boots and thick fishermen’s ganseys.
An extract from from"Norfolk Pocket Album".
The town comprises two villages, Upper and Lower
Sheringham, the former more peaceful and retaining
its fishing and farming traditions. Some of the High
Street shops and houses reveal a Dutch influence,
with mansard roofs and ornamental gables. The
blinds are down, it is a hot day. Developments away
from exclusive local suppliers in retailing are already
apparent, with Lincoln’s offering ‘choicest New
Zealand mutton, fresh every morning’.
An extract from from"Norfolk Pocket Album".
The gentleman proudly escorts three elegant ladies dressed in white; other people further back are intrigued by the crab boats, which were probably made by Leonard Lown or his son Henry. They started business in the 1860s, and the number of boats made by this firm and another called Emery’s ran into hundreds. The flag poles on the hill were used for gale warnings, signals for ships and flags for special occasions such as Royal birthdays. The local flint was used for good effect on the promenade garden wall in the foreground.
An extract from from"Norfolk - A Second Selection Photographic Memories".