Lifeboat Rescue Compass

Standing on the clifftop between Cromer and Sheringham, this simple stone compass marks one of Norfolk's most dramatic rescue stories. The memorial commemorates the legendary lifeboat crews who saved countless lives from these treacherous waters, particularly during the fierce storms that regularly batter this stretch of coast. It's a modest monument really - just carved directions pointing to various points around the North Sea - but it carries proper weight when you understand what happened here.

History buffs and anyone with an interest in maritime heritage will find it genuinely moving. The location itself tells half the story: you can see why so many ships foundered on these sands when the weather turned nasty. Walking families will appreciate that it's easily reached from either Cromer or the coastal path, though it's hardly a destination that'll keep restless children entertained for long.

Ten minutes here is probably enough unless you're really into the local lifeboat history. The real appeal is combining it with a proper coastal walk - the views along to Blakeney Point on a clear day are cracking. If you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Seacroft or West Runton, it makes for a decent morning stretch of the legs before hitting Cromer's pier and crab stalls.