In the novel "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell, Maragret Hale was a character she created, a powerful and independent woman who does not allow herself to adhere to patriarchal Victorian conventions. She challenged stereotypes about women's role in the 19th century. Margaret travels  to Cromer, a seaside town. While in Cromer she spent long periods of time each day sitting at the beach and watching the waves becuase the allowed her to analyze and figure out the significance of her thoughts. After her visit to Cromer she realized she was capable of and had the right to be successful as well as independent. Margaret gained the acknowledgment of her right to follow her own ideas of duty.   

("North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell,  Chapter XLIX)

Cromer UK is a popular seaside town in Norfolk on the North Coast. Cromer stands between stretches of coastal cliffs and the Cromer pier runs along the sea front. This town, traditionally was a fishing town known for its sweet Cromer crabs and the pier that was designed for relaxation. Cromer Lifeboat Station was founded in 1804, rowing lifeboats were stationed there through the 19th century. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromer) Tourism developed in the town during the Victorian period and is now an important part of the local economy. In 1877 the railways arrived and caused a population increase and Cromer had become a fashionable resort. In 1901 the Pavillion Theater was opened on the pier. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Norfolk) 

Cromer, Norfolk 1850

http://www.rareoldprints.com/p/20107

Cromer UK around the turn of the 19th Century.

https://norfolktalesmyths.com/page/6/

Old Cromer Lighthouse, Norfolk.

http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1396559

Belle Vue Hotel 

The former Cromer Beach Station.

"Old Postcard Cromer Beach Station and its extensive number of rail tracks at the time. The inclusion of ‘Beach’ in its name was to hightlight the station’s actual position at Cromer. The station became simply ‘Cromer’ in 1969 and today there are just two tracks, one each side of the platform. Dwarfing today’s station is a supmarket, plus other retail outlets."

https://norfolktalesmyths.com/page/6/

Pavilion Theatre, Cromer Pier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavilion_Theatre,_Cromer_Pier

"Layout of the four Cromer railway stations; the Great Eastern Railway lines are in red, the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway line in blue, and the disused Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway line to Mundesley in orange."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_stations_in_Cromer

An Illustration of how the Cromer section (top right) fitted into the Norfolk railway system around 1900.

https://norfolktalesmyths.com/page/6/

A 1907 map showing the North Walsham to Cromer section of the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway.

https://norfolktalesmyths.com/page/6/

Norfolk railways, both past and present. 

https://norfolktalesmyths.com/page/6/