Jack and Laura on Central Beach, Great Yarmouth (c) Great Yarmouth Tourist Authority

Great Yarmouth & Gorleston

For an action packed Norfolk family holiday Great Yarmouth is the place to be! The town is brimming over with things to do, interesting places to visit and entertainment to enjoy. So start packing your bags for an unforgettable break away! Great Yarmouth is the capital of fun with its pleasure beach, amusement arcades and summer shows. But the Greater Yarmouth area also has wonderful countryside to enjoy and a fascinating history which visitors can discover as they explore the town and surrounding villages.

If you are looking for the ultimate family holiday, packed full of thrills, spills and lots of fun then you will definitely find it in Great Yarmouth.

Jump to: Things to Do // Where to Stay // Eating Out // Shopping // What's On

Regent Road towards Britannia Pier (c) Great Yarmouth Tourist Authority

Things to Do in Great Yarmouth

Visitors have been coming to Great Yarmouth since the late 1700s and the resort is now one of the most popular in the UK for day trips, weekend breaks and longer holidays. It is an active resort with mile upon mile of glorious soft sands, perfect for all the traditional activities from building sand castles to a game of frisbee. If you need a break from all the bright lights and excitement take a trip to Gorleston-on-Sea, a hidden gem on the Norfolk coast, where you can enjoy safe bathing, windsurfing and yachting. On the cliffs overlooking the bay you will discover pretty gardens, bowling greens and tennis courts.

There are over 15 miles of sandy beaches within the Greater Yarmouth area, from Winterton-on-Sea in the north to Hopton-on-Sea in the south. It's all part of a great coastline offering an attractive blend of wide sandy beaches, sand dunes and cliffs. The length of the sandy beach at Great Yarmouth means that you can always find a secluded spot or join the masses of other holidaymakers at the centre of the holiday action.

Whatever the weather, there are loads of things to keep everyone amused. From amazing animals to a journey into the past, below is just a taste of some of the fun Great Yarmouth has in store during your stay. The seafront, known as the ‘Golden Mile', has many great attractions including the award-winning Pleasure Beach, a mixture of traditional and all-new exciting rides for the thrill seeker and Joyland with its gentler funfair rides. To slow down the pace, take a gentle stroll down the Victorian Britannia Pier and see the amazing Scroby Sands wind farm in the distance, relax with a leisurely ride in a horse-drawn carriage or enjoy some family madness with a round of crazy golf.

And when the sun goes down the fun just continues. There are a great range of shows on at the Britannia Pier throughout the summer season, the thrilling Summer Circus and Water Spectacular at the Hippodrome, greyhound racing at Yarmouth Stadium three evenings a week, 10 pin bowling and numerous restaurants for eating out.

Merrivale Model Village is a delightful miniature world set in beautiful landscaped gardens. You will be amazed by the incredible attention to detail in this tiny village, while there is also a chance to play on the penny slot machines in the museum. To uncover more about creatures of the sea, venture to the Sea Life Centre on the seafront at Great Yarmouth. With over 70 marine species to see, including spectacular shark display plus stingrays, starfish and conger eels, be prepared for some interesting discoveries! For a full day of fun visit Fritton Lake, set in gorgeous woodland, where there are a wide variety of activities on offer. Just five miles south west of Great Yarmouth, there are boats and pedaloes for use on the lake, a 9-hole golf course plus a farmyard and adventure playground.

Time and Tide museum in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (c) Time and Tide Museum

Great Yarmouth has a fascinating maritime history and this can be explored at the award-winning Time & Tide Museum. Step back in time to find out what it was like to live in Norfolk many years ago. For a wild adventure visit Africa Alive, just 20 minutes from Great Yarmouth and take a ride on the safari road-train to see rhino, lion, giraffe, zebra and many more. Race days can be fun for all the family at Great Yarmouth Racecourse as you experience the thrill of the races during your seaside holiday. With themed evenings, family fun days and of course a ladies day, you are sure to have a fantastic time.

Or if these don't suit, then there is plenty more. For a close encounter with alligators, crocodiles and pythons venture into Amazonia - World of Reptiles. Visit the Norfolk Nelson Museum and delve into the life and times of Norfolk-born Admiral Lord Nelson. Watch sticks of rock being made at the Docwras Rock Factory, spot the celebrity in the waxworks or observe the tankards and sculptures being created at Great Yarmouth Potteries. The list is endless so be sure to visit the Tourist Information Centre when you arrive!

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Fantastic places to eat in Great Yarmouth (c) Great Yarmouth Tourist Authority

Where to eat in Great Yarmouth

Whether it's a quick bite to eat along the seafront, an ice-cream in the glorious Norfolk summer sunshine, or a sit-down evening meal, Great Yarmouth has it all.

Experience a traditional fish and chips supper the way it should be, or enjoy a variety of cuisines from one of Yarmouth's many restaurants.

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Shopping in Great Yarmouth

From the traditional Market Place stalls to Palmer's independent department store, there's plenty of places to shop in Great Yarmouth. As well as all your favourite high-street shops, don't forget to try the more unusual shops such as those in the Victoria Arcade. Or, if you're looking for a slice of holiday fun, Regent Road has every seaside memento going, including the kiss-me-quick hat!

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East Norfolk Militia at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival (c) GYTA

What's on in Great Yarmouth

There's always something going on in Great Yarmouth! From Great Yarmouth's Summer Fireworks season, through its flagship Maritime Festival and Heritage Open Day events in early September, to the more specialist interests such as the Greyhound Racing and Horse Racing, there's definitely something for everyone in Yarmouth.

Find out what's on in Great Yarmouth

(c)Stay in a Great Yarmouth hotel or Bed and Breakfast

Where to Stay in the Greater Yarmouth area

Great Yarmouth is a popular destination and there is no shortage of places to stay during your weekend break or holiday. There are numerous hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts; many situated overlooking the beautiful coastline, while there are also some excellent holiday parks including the Vauxhall Holiday Park and the 5 star Potters Leisure Resort just outside Great Yarmouth.