Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is a quintessential English seaside town located right in the heart of the lovely Norfolk Broads. The name ‘Yarmouth’ derives from the town’s location at the mouth of the River Yare. The town has been a popular seaside resort since the 1700s and it remains just as busy today. Thousands of visitors come to enjoy the lovely beach and the famous PleasureBeach theme park. In the summer time the town is packed with families enjoying the endless miles of sand, attractions and shows, although it does have its quieter areas with plenty of historical points of interest to explore, including long sections of medieval city walls. The town also has an extensive maritime heritage and it was once the primary hub for the UK herring industry. So whether you are planning a weekend break or a family holiday, Great Yarmouth has it all.
Things to See and Do
The beach at Great Yarmouth is an impressive 15 miles of golden sand. The main section has life guards on patrol, so it is perfectly safe for children to play or swim in the sea on a hot, sunny day. It is also a great beach for beachcombing. Take a wander after the tide has receded and see what you can find—if you are lucky you may come across some amber nestling in a clump of sea weed or an attractive piece of driftwood to take home. Aside from the beach, Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile is the main attraction for many visitors to the town, particularly the young and young at heart. The famous Golden Mile along Great Yarmouth’s sea front is where all the fun can be found. Freshly cooked donuts, children’s rides, ice cream, rollercoasters, adventure golf, and a host of other attractions are available throughout the summer. The town has two piers, which are full of family oriented attractions, including a bowling alley and a theatre. Or if you fancy a taste of the darker side of Great Yarmouth, take a ghost tour once darkness falls and learn more about the town’s murky history.
Places to Visit
There are lots of great places to visit in Great Yarmouth. The Sea Life Centre is a popular destination for families. It has lots of fascinating exhibits, including a wonderful tunnel where you can walk beneath the shark tank and watch these magnificent predators swimming silently above your head. The MerrivaleModelVillage is another popular family attraction, as is the ThrigyWildlifeGardens with its tigers and leopards. Or you could take a step back in time with a visit to Yesterday’s World, a museum devoted to 125 years of social culture: explore real life street scenes from decades ago or experience a WW2 air raid in a genuine Anderson bomb shelter. And if you want to see what lies beyond the resort of Great Yarmouth, take a trip out into the wonderful Norfolk Broads and explore miles of scenic waterways and lakes. Burgh Castle is only a short drive from the town and the beautiful villages of Rollesby, Filby and Ormesby are well worth a visit.
