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Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth became a desirable holiday location by the 1800’s and, with the rail link between Norwich and Great Yarmouth being completed in 1844, it meant that the town became even more accessible, making it the hugely popular holiday town that it is today. Attracting vast crowds of visitors each year, this popular sea-side destination is amongst the UK's top ten seaside resorts.

Mainly as a result of its herring industry, Great Yarmouth once boasted being one of the wealthiest towns in Britain. Since the 1930’s however this industry has ceased and is all but memories, with the boat ‘The Lydia Eva’, which is open to the public, remaining.

St Nicholas Church, which stands near the Market Place, is the largest parish church in England. Originally built in the 1100’s, it was then rebuilt between 1957 and 1960 after it was almost completely destroyed during the bombing in 1942. Adjacent to the church is the birthplace of Anna Sewell, author of ‘Black Beauty’.

During the 1960’s oil and gas companies began to explore the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, bringing with them all the associated businesses. This brought wealth and jobs and the town grew. This industry has since declined, and the town now relies mainly on tourism for its income.

Great Yarmouth has over fifteen miles of sandy beaches that stretch from Winterton in the north to Hopton in the south. There are many traditional beach attractions, including trampolines, crazy golf, fun fair, pony rides and bouncy castles. There are also plenty of indoor activities for all ages and a variety of shops and an open-air market.

The Norfolk Broads are renowned for their beautiful flora and fauna and it is at Great Yarmouth that the Rivers Yare, Bure and Waveney converge and flow into the North Sea. The area is a haven for wildlife with many rare species like the swallowtail butterfly.

Interesting facts about Great Yarmouth:

  • Great Yarmouth has been a sea-side destination since 1760
  • The Tolhouse Gaol, with dungeons, dates from the late 13th century and is one of the oldest gaols and oldest civic buildings in Britain
  • The market place in Great Yarmouth is one of the largest in England, and has been operating since the 13th century
  • Britannia Theatre which features well-known acts such as Jim Davidson, Jimmy Carr, Jethro, Basil Brush and Chubby Brown, is one of only a few end-of-the pier theatres surviving in England
  • Great Yarmouth attracts around 6 million visitors each year, on day trips, weekend breaks and longer holidays
  • The Nelson's Monument is a commemorative column built in memorial to Admiral Horatio Nelson and can be found on the South Denes beach in Great Yarmouth. Lord Nelson was born close to Great Yarmouth and paid a number of visits to the town throughout his career
  • Charles Dickens used Yarmouth as a key location in his novel David Copperfield and described the town as "the finest place in the universe"
  • The Time and Tide Museum still smells of smoked fish, even though it hasn’t been used for smoking herring for many years
  • The North Denes area of the beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its dune plants and each summer is home to one of the largest little tern colonies in the UK and a small colony of grayling butterflies
  • The grey seal and common seal are frequently seen off the shores of Great Yarmouth
  • There has been a lifeboat in Great Yarmouth since at least 1802
  • Actor Jason Statham (born 1967), lived in Great Yarmouth during his childhood and attended the local grammar school
  • Matthew Macfadyen (born 1974), actor, was born in Great Yarmouth

Visit Yarmouth Stadium for Greyhound Racing and Motor Racing

If you are interested in greyhound racing, motor racing or are looking for a party venue, Yarmouth Stadium in Caister is where you need to head.

Some of the best things to do in Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth is like Marmite – some people love it and some people loathe it. Whatever side of the fence you sit, there is no disputing the fact that it attracts a vast number of visitors each year and is one of the UK’s most popular seaside destinations. Situated 20 miles east of Norwich, Great Yarmouth has been a seaside resort since 1760 and with more than 70,000 bed spaces it accommodates over a third of all visitors to Norfolk each year.

Restaurants in Great Yarmouth

If you are thinking of taking a holiday, weekend break or day trip to Great Yarmouth you will no doubt want to eat out at some point during your stay. This Norfolk seaside town is one of the most populated places in Norfolk and offers all manner of cuisine, from chip stalls on the market to fine dining experiences. It is close to the Norfolk Broads, the beach and the city of Norwich and it is thought that around 5 million visitors visit this Norfolk town each year.

B&Bs in Great Yarmouth

The Norfolk seaside town of Great Yarmouth is blessed with long stretches of enticing golden sands and attracts vast swathes of visitors each year. With bright lights, plenty of family entertainment, activities and attractions and amusements galore in the town’s Golden Mile, Great Yarmouth is for some the perfect holiday destination.

Great Yarmouth Row Houses & Greyfriars' Cloisters

Visit these early 17th century merchant’s houses that are located close to Great Yarmouth’s historic quayside. Step back in time and experience the rare remnants of Great Yarmouth’s original ‘Rows’, a network of narrow alleyways linking Yarmouth’s three main thoroughfares. Many ‘Row Houses’ were damaged during World War II bombings or demolished after the war, but these surviving properties demonstrate what these dwelling looked like at various stages in their history.

Yarmouth Stadium

Situated at Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, the stadium is a popular Norfolk attraction hosting greyhound racing and motor racing events throughout the year.

Pettitts Animal Adventure Park

Situated close to the popular seaside town of Great Yarmouth, Pettitts Animal Adventure Park has fun rides, lots of animals, a petting area, live shows, play areas and more.

Elizabethan House

The Elizabethan House is a National Trust site managed by Norfolk Museums Service and is a historic 16th century house situated on Great Yarmouth’s quayside.

Sea Life Great Yarmouth

Situated in the popular Norfolk seaside town of Great Yarmouth, this Sea Life Centre is located on Marine Parade, where tourists flock, attracted by the vast array of amusements, food outlets and other highlights. Discover a magical marine world at Sea Life Great Yarmouth and become acquainted with many beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep, from starfish and seahorses to sharks, giant sea turtles and penguins.

Hippodrome Circus

Located close to the town’s beach and amusements, the Hippodrome Circus is one of Great Yarmouth’s most popular attractions, drawing vast numbers of visitors each year. Built in 1903 by the legendary circus showman George Gilbert, this historic building has been home to a wide variety of entertainment including amazing water spectacles, stage shows, cinema and cine variety and was even used as a military practice shooting range in wartime. Lloyd George held political rallies at the Hippodrome, Max Miller joked, Houdini escaped, Little Tich clowned, Lillie Langtry sang and the world’s finest clowns, circus performers and entertainers have performed here.

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Located at the south end of Great Yarmouth’s famous Golden Mile, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach covers an area of nine acres and attracts vast numbers of visitors each year. It’s a free to enter amusement park and visitors either pay-per-ride through purchasing ride tokens or purchase an all-day wristband for unlimited rides for the remainder of that day.

Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life

Located in a residential part of Great Yarmouth, a 10-minute walk from the beach and the town’s popular seafront, the Time and Tide Museum is an interesting place to visit. Housed in one of the UK’s best-preserved Victorian herring curing works, Time and Tide tells the story of Great Yarmouth from its Ice Age origins to the present day. Visitors can experience the heady atmosphere of a 1950s fish wharf and still smell the aroma of smoked herring and take the wheel of a steam drifter.

The Tolhouse Gaol

Located behind the town’s library, close to the town Hall, The Tolhouse Gaol in Great Yarmouth is an interesting attraction and one of the UK’s oldest gaols. Built around 800 years ago, The Tolhouse Gaol with its sturdy stone walls, finely carved doorway and arched windows, looks rather out of place amongst the current modern houses and offices. Once the private residence of a rich merchant whose livelihood probably depended on the nearby quayside, it has also had a long association with the law, having been used as a courtroom, police station and town gaol.

Map of Great Yarmouth

Accommodation in Great Yarmouth

Seashore Holiday Park

Seashore Holiday Park

North Denes Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 4HG

01493 851 131

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