Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth was described by Charles Dickens as '...on the whole, the finest place in the universe'. Today it has wide sandy beaches, dry sunny weather, excellent shopping and a lively promenade set amongst otherwise tranquil surroundings; all the ingredients for a fantastic holiday. The resort is set on 15 miles of wide, flat golden sand which is perfect for bathing and soaking up the sun. On Yarmouth's sea front there are two piers providing a wide range of entertainment, a Model Village, Butterfly Centre and a fascinating 'Sea Life Centre'. Stroll along the prom or catch the unique horse-drawn landaus which offer a ride in style past the elegant bandstands. At night-time the resort is illuminated and the wide variety of shows and concerts gets into full swing. With its fetes, festivals and carnivals as well as its racecourse and bingo halls, there is never a dull moment in Great Yarmouth. In contrast, its surroundings provide an aura of tranquil calm. The Norfolk Broads and the East Anglia coastline are made up of river valleys, rolling green fields, secluded woodlands, marshlands and miles of glorious beaches and dramatic cliffs. So, whether it is an action packed week away or a relaxing short break, Great Yarmouth has all the ingredients for an entertaining holiday.
Hotels
We use the New Beach Hotel, a Leisureplex Hotel.
Town Centre
The main shopping streets, found just off the ancient harbour, offer a plethora of high street chain stores, local and traditional seaside shops; there is excellent variety and quality to keep shoppers happy. There is also a large open air market on Fridays.
Beach and Gardens
Great Yarmouth boasts 15 miles of safe golden sands which have won several awards for cleanliness. The attractive Anchor Garden, so called because of its huge anchor shaped flowerbed and St Georges Park both provide seating for a quiet moment of rest and relaxation.
Activities and Attractions
Tourist Information Tel:01493 846345
www.great-yarmouth.co.uk
Broads Tours Tel:01603 782207
Scheduled river trips are included in many of our tours to Great Yarmouth, or skipper a boat for a day and explore the beautiful Broads at leisure.
Marina Leisure and Fitness Centre
Tel:01493 851521
Great Yarmouth's premier leisure and sports centre with bars, restaurants and a tropical swimming pool.
www.marina-centre.com
Merrivale Model Village Tel:01493 842097
Set in an acre of landscaped gardens including a working fairground and railway models.
www.greatyarmouthmodelvillage.co.uk
Great Yarmouth Pottery Tel:01493 850585
An opportunity to observe the entire pottery-making process. There is also a museum and shop.
www.greatyarmouthpotteries.co.uk
Sea Life Centre Tel:01493 330631
Unusual native sea creatures can be observed from an underwater tunnel. There are demonstrations, touching pools, a restaurant and gift shop.
www.sealifeeurope.com
Yarmouth Stadium Tel:01493 720343
Greyhound and stock-car racing throughout the week.
www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk
Great Yarmouth Racecourse
Tel:01493 842527
Stages over 20 race meetings over the year.
www.greatyarmouth-racecourse.co.uk
Thrigby Wildlife Gardens Tel:01493 369477
The grounds of Thrigby Hall provide a home for a wide range of animals, including monkeys, crocodiles and numerous endangered big cats.
www.thrigby.plus.com
Events
Festival of Bowls Taking place over two weeks in August and September, the tournament attracts more than 2,000 players of all ages and abilities.
www.great-yarmouth.co.uk
Summer Fireworks Every Wednesday evening throughout July and August, there is a spectacular fireworks display from the jetty area on Marine Parade.
Great Yarmouth Beer Festival takes place in May and includes music, entertainment and fancy dress.
www.great-yarmouth.co.uk
Great Yarmouth Carnival Procession Taking place at the end of August, the procession is colourful and fun.
www.yarmouthcarnival.org.uk
Royal Norfolk Show Tel:01603 748931
The largest agricultural show in the country offers something for everyone.
www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk
Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival A huge annual event commemorating the town's sea faring heritage, with stalls, tall ships, bands and craft fairs.
www.great-yarmouth.co.uk
Lowestoft Sea Front Air Festival takes place in July and features fantastic flying displays, simulators, military exhibitions, funfairs, music and craft stalls.
www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk
Excursions from Great Yarmouth
The details below are intended as a general guide only. For specific tour details, first check Availability and then follow the link from the Tour Description.
Norwich
Tourist Information Tel:01603 727927
One of Britain's most attractive cities with quaint winding shopping streets, an imposing Cathedral and the highest number of pre-Reformation churches in Europe.
www.visitnorwich.co.uk
Cromer
Tourist Information Tel:01263 512497
A small, attractive resort full of character with its narrow twisting streets in the town centre and lively seaside promenade behind the sandy beach.
www.cromeronline.co.uk
Suffolk Villages and Lowestoft
Travelling south, enjoy the famous fishing port of Lowestoft whilst taking in the picturesque villages of the Suffolk countryside.
www.suffolktouristguide.com
Easton Farm Park Tel:01728 746475
An award-winning attraction which is set in the beautiful surroundings of the Deben river valley.
www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk
Castle Acre Priory Tel:01706 755394
One of the oldest and best preserved monastic sites in England with a reconstructed herb garden.
www.english-heritage.co.uk
The Norfolk Broads is a fascinating area with a rich history, reflected in the many wonderful places to visit and the unique wildlife. There are restored windmills, medieval churches, beautiful gardens and of course, miles and miles of peaceful waterways.
www.visitnorfolk.co.uk
Thetford is an ancient market town which offers fascinating museums, historic sites, age-old mines, forgotten gardens, peaceful nature reserves and the magnificent Thetford Forest Park, Britain's largest lowland pine forest.
www.explorethetford.co.uk