A coastal resort town on England's east coast, known for its long sandy beach, historic piers, and traditional seaside amusements along the Golden Mile promenade.
Great Yarmouth sits on a narrow peninsula between the North Sea and River Yare in Norfolk, England. Walk along 15 miles of sandy beaches, watch acrobats perform at the 1903 Hippodrome Circus, or play arcade games on the Golden Mile promenade. Visit the Time and Tide Museum housed in an old Victorian smokehouse, or step inside the cast-iron Winter Gardens with its towering glass panels stretching from floor to ceiling.
Things to Do on the Golden Mile
The Golden Mile is active throughout summer. Ride the 1932 wooden roller coaster at the Pleasure Beach or try modern thrill rides. At the Sea Life Centre, walk through underwater tunnels as sharks swim overhead, while at Merrivale Model Village, you'll find 1:12 scale buildings showing scenes from British life. Row boats or pedal along the restored Venetian Waterways, surrounded by gardens filled with seasonal flowers.
Beaches and Seaside Activities
The main beach stretches for three miles with calm swimming areas and zones for water sports. Walk out on Wellington Pier or Britannia Pier - both from the 1850s - to look across the North Sea. Grey seals often rest on the beach during winter months, while thirty wind turbines at Scroby Sands stand in the distance.
Markets and Town Center
Over 100 stalls fill the market place every Wednesday and Saturday, selling local produce, crafts, and street food. Buy fish and chips from century-old chip stalls around the market square. Explore the "Rows" - narrow alleyways between houses from the 1600s and 1700s - where fishing families once lived.
Museums and Entertainment
The Time and Tide Museum contains a recreated fishing wharf and original smokehouses where workers preserved herring. Watch one of four annual shows at the Hippodrome Circus, including performances where the floor drops to create a swimming pool. Visit St Nicholas Minster, England's largest parish church, with its 12th-century walls and tower.
Getting Around
Take direct trains from Norwich to Great Yarmouth station, a 10-minute walk from the seafront. Buses run every 30 minutes along the Golden Mile, connecting main sites. You can walk between most locations in the town center within 15 minutes. Several seafront spots have free parking, but they fill up quickly on summer weekends.
