Over the years Great Yarmouth in Norfolk has been discredited as good holiday destination, but from vibrant festivals to historic fishing roots it actually has a lot to offer holidaygoers
One of the UK’s seaside towns, often labelled as rundown and stuck in time, actually offers visitors a multitude of attractions.
Great Yarmouth in Norfolk isn’t your typical UK seaside holiday destination. In 2023, Which? revealed that Brits rated it in the worst 10 seaside towns to visit in the UK. Scoring an average of 55%, the only category with a positive result was ‘beaches’. Both the ‘scenery’ and ‘peace and quiet’ categories scored only one star.
In one rather damning TripAdvisor review, a visitor said: “[We] were absolutely horrified by the city. We had to read about its past as an important oily fish port and the beautiful seafront, but the Victorian houses at the port are [hidden] by those horrible leisure centres full of neons, fluorescent colours and junk food everywhere.”
Ignoring the negative opinions of some Brits, a coastal break or day out in Great Yarmouth really does have a lot to give. Often acknowledged for its Golden Mile of beaches with perfect sand, the town also offers affordable attractions and events throughout the year.
In the coming weeks the town will host two festivals. The Out There Festival (May 30 – June 1) and the annual Wheels Festival (June 29-30). The Out There Festival celebrates all things arts, circus and culture. With multiple venues and approximately 30 artistic companies, visitors will find themselves encountering quirky comedy and a family-friendly atmosphere. The programme is predominantly free. In comparison, the Wheels Festival brings together classic, contemporary and wacky vehicles. The free event attracts 50,000 people, who take over the seafront to see all things on wheels, complete with pop-up stalls, attractions and entertainment.
Later in the summer (July 10 – September 15), the Circus and Water Summer Spectacular opens at the Hippodrome. The world-famous fixed circus offers an array of performances featuring slapstick comedy, acrobats, trapeze artists and stunts. Visitors can also enjoy the world-famous Water Spectacular, which sees the entire rink sink to reveal a giant swimming pool with performances by synchronised swimmers.
The town also has recent connections to Hollywood after the historic steam drifter, the Lydia Eva, appeared on the big screens in Wonka. Lydia Eva starred in scenes where a young Willy Wonka arrives in England by passenger steamer. It is the country’s last remaining coal fired steam drifter; the vessel is a charitable trust. It is free to visit (although donations are welcome) and it is open to throughout the summer.
Loved by some, loathed by others is the Pleasure Beach. But this year, it comes with an update of three new rides. Another new attraction is the dinosaur exhibit at the Time and Tide Museum. There are also racing thrills with both motor racing and horse racing fixtures.
Late July (July 24) brings the return of Great Yarmouth’s annual free fireworks on the Golden Mile. The family-friendly event will run every Wednesday evening through the school summer holidays, with firework displays at 10pm. Also, from July 23, firework displays will take place every Tuesday evening across the summer on nearby Hemsby Beach at 10pm.
Great Yarmouth missed out on acquiring the title of the UK’s City of Culture for 2025, being beaten by Bradford — which will expect to gain £700 million and 3,000 new jobs from its win. However, Great Yarmouth retains a rich heritage which visitors can continue to explore. The Time and Tide Museum’s galleries delve into the history of how Great Yarmouth went from a sandbank to historic fishing port and later, to a vibrant seaside resort.
The area has numerous hotels and places to eat, as well as supermarkets and shops. Like many UK family holiday destinations it may have its horror stories, but from accommodation as cheap as £30 a night, what is there to lose?