Great Yarmouth, Norfolk travel guide and information

Visit Great Yarmouth

Originally a fishing port, Great Yarmouth is situated on the coast of Norfolk (east of Norwich). It is now best known as a traditional and long established family-friendly seaside resort.

The town has a popular sandy beach with two piers. The long beach is known locally as the 'Golden Mile', or central Beach, and is of course the centre of activity with visitors, enjoying both the beach and the many amusement arcades and entertainments that stand behind the beach. Great Yarmouth is also well known for the variety shows and pantomimes that are put on for visitors in the summer months.

Be sure to head a little way out of town where the beaches continue but the scenery changes, the beach now being backed by sand dunes and low cliffs instead of bustling amusements. The main attraction on the sea front is the 100 year old 'Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach', an extensive amusement park area of roller-coasters, dodgems and many other rides - the best know ride among these is the 'Scenic railway Roller Coaster'

The two piers are called the Britannia Pier and the Wellington Pier. The first of these is especially well known for the 'classic' comedy acts that appear in its theatre, and the second (the more southern of the two piers in Great Yarmouth) for the bowling alley and extensive amusements area.

The town itself is focussed around the large 'Market Place' where you can find all facilities - shops, restaurants etc and the local 'trademark' stalls selling chips. the large Market Gates Shopping Centre is also here, and includes many of the major UK high street retailers.

There are also verious highlights, activities and attractions to discover in Great Yarmouth itself and the surrounding region. Important sights within Great Yarmouth include the 'heritage' quarter, the medieval walls and the 13th century dungeons and tollhouse.

Places to visit near Great Yarmouth

Allow some time to explore both the coast and countryside around Great Yarmouth for a contrast to the 'kiss me quick' golden Mile - there are lots of attractive villages to explore (such as Filby, Ormesby and Rollesby in the Norfolk Broads, also Burgh Castle, Hopton and others), and also several other, typically quieter, seaside resorts nearby - Gorleston-on-Sea (across the harbour from Great Yarmouth) is among the most popular and scenic, others include Caister-on-Sea, California / Scratby, Cromer, Sea Palling, Sheringham, Southwold, the quieter Winterton-on-Sea...

You can find more local travel ideas in the Norfolk guide and the Norfolk guide.