Great Yarmouth
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Great Yarmouth is in the county of Norfolk, in the United Kingdom.Understand
Formerly the home of one of the most lucrative fishing industry and famous for herrings, Great Yarmouth is a bustling and very popular seaside resort. Undoubtedly, one of the most popular attractions is Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, a free-entry theme park, which boasts 28 rides (including the 'Scenic Railway roller coaster', built in 1932) and draws annually 1.5 million visitors. The two piers, Britannia Pier and Wellington Pier, both contain family-orientated entertainment including a Bowling alley (Wellington) and a theatre (Britannia). As well as the usual thrills and spills one would expect on a classic British seafront, Great Yarmouth also has a quieter side, with a fascinating heritage quarter to explore. Not many people know that Great Yarmouth has the most complete city walls after York, with heritage walks to help you discover this medieval attraction along with several museums and houses dating back many centuries. If ghost walks are more your cup of tea, Eerie Tales and Yarmouth Yarns is the tour for you, (+44 1493 846346).
Great Yarmouth is also a centre for the North Sea oil and gas industry and increasingly for offshore wind power. The new outer harbour is a huge development taking place which will see cruise liners and larger ships coming to the town. The Maritime Festival in September each year celebrates Great Yarmouth's maritime heritage.
Yarmouth has seen significant regeneration spending to improve and modernise the popular seafront area and to ensure it is linked to the town centre. Regent Road has a stunning ceiling of light which is illuminated in the evenings and is now a lovely pedestrianed link street leading from town centre to the seafront area.
Illuminations along Marine Parade are also worth an evening stroll, some have been designed by children from local primary schools. Fireworks celebrations run for 6 weeks every Wednesday evening for the six weeks of the school summer holidays when a carnival atmosphere can been enjoyed.
Get in
By car
The A47 is a direct route from Norwich or King's Lynn. The road South towards Lowestoft and Ipswich has now been renumbered, was A12, now A47address: Acle New Rd, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1SD
Has a regular service to Norwich via Acle, Blofield and Brundall on The Wherry Line and occasionally trains run to London Liverpool Street. At Norwich you'll find local interconnecting services from Lowestoft, Sheringham and Cromer via Wroxham and intercity services to London Liverpool Street. There are also services from the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland, via Peterborough, Cambridge and Ely. A cross country service from Liverpool, through Manchester, Nottingham and Peterborough also arrives in Norwich where connecting trains to Great Yarmouth are available.
By plane
- Norwich International airport, with connecting flights from Amsterdam, is about 45 minutes' drive away.
By bicycle
Regional Cycle Route 30 runs northwards from to town to Sea Palling, Cromer and beyond. National Cycle Route 517 runs southwards from the town to Beccles where it connects with National Cycle route 1 and Regional Cycle Route 31.On foot
Angles WayThis 93-mile (150-km) long distance footpath runs to the town from Thetford.
Weavers' WayThis 56-mile (90-km) long distance footpath runs to the town from Cromer.
Cross Norfolk TrailThis 96-mile (155-km) footpath runs to the town from King's Lynn.
Get around
Great Yarmouth has lots of car parking, all clearly signed. It is a common misconception that parking is difficult to find, but this is not actually the case, with many car parks to be found up and down Marine Parade on the sea front and in the town cetnre, catering for nearly 2000 cars. Prices start from £1.00 per hour in summer. If you do try to park on a side street to avoid paying, make sure you watch out for residents parking areas where a pass is required.
A refurbished and improved Marine Parade includes extra wide pavements and a special slow lane for bicycles and the landau. A widened road with clearly marked crossing areas for pedestrians and several new roundabouts mean that it is now much easier to cruise up and down when finding somewhere to park.
Regular bus and train services are also available.
See
A few miles north of the town, are quieter seaside villages like Winterton, Sea Palling and Waxham. 20 miles (32 km) or so to the south is Southwold, an upmarket resort.
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phone: +44 1493 855746address: 4 South Quay, NR30 2QH
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phone: +44 1493 842097address: Marine Parade, NR30 3JG
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phone: +44 1493 850698address: 26 South Quay, NR30 2RGTells story of seafarer Lord Horatio Nelson (born in Norfolk).
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Row Houses & Greyfriars Cloisters
phone: +44 1493 857900address: South Quay, NR30 2RG -
phone: +44 8712 224244 (premium)address: Lovingland, NR32 5QQ
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phone: +44 1493 743930address: Blackfriars Road, NR30 3BXGreat Yarmouth's heritage and history. Housed in a converted Victorian herring curing works.
Do
The borough of Greater Yarmouth has up to 17 miles (25 km) of sandy beach to enjoy. Deck chairs and wind breaks can be hired on the beach in summer. Dog walkers are welcome at North Beach.
Marine Parade hosts a large range of activities, from Joyland to the more sedate Model Village, from the aforementioned Pleasure Beach to Yesterday's World, with something for all age groups.
Yarmouth Hollywood Cinema is well worth a visit. It's the cheapest cinema around and although it only has 5 screens (3 of which are smallish) and isn't exactly the most modern experience; it has character that is often lacking from 'multiplex' cinema chains.
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phone: +44 1493 844094address: Marine Parade, NR30 2EH
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phone: +44 1493 331785address: Marine Parade, NR30 2ER
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phone: +44 1493 844585address: South Beach Parade, NR30 3EH9 acres. Rides, roller-coaster, fun-fare, etc. Dogs allowed on a lead and under control.
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phone: +44 1493 854349address: Marine Parade, NR30 2ER
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phone: +44 1493 330631address: Marine Parade, NR30 3AHFun for all ages. Although not cheap, you have all day to explore the large assortment of aquariums including a shark tank with a tunnel passing underneath it.
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phone: +44 1493 844839address: Trafalgar Works, Fenner Rd, NR30 3PS
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phone: +44 1493 845947address: Marine Parade, NR30 3JFAmusements, bowling, casino, gift shops, ice cream parlour.
Buy
Many places of genuine interest on Regent Road (including Docwra Rock Shop - see below).
Great Yarmouth puts the fun back into shopping, whether in the high street chain stores, some of the quirky local shops or the more traditional seaside shops. Market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays all year and on Fridays as well during the summer months.
For general shopping, Yarmouth is served by Asda next to the train station; Tesco between town centre and the industrial estate and Sainsbury's near Market Gates.
Great Yarmouth puts the fun back into shopping, whether in the high street chain stores, some of the quirky local shops or the more traditional seaside shops. Market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays all year and on Fridays as well during the summer months.
For general shopping, Yarmouth is served by Asda next to the train station; Tesco between town centre and the industrial estate and Sainsbury's near Market Gates.
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phone: +44 1493 330272address: Acle New Road, Runham Vauxhall, NR30 1SFPetrol station, pharmacy, ATMs.
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phone: +44 1493 842104address: 26 Beresford Road, New Town, NR304AB
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Docwra Rock Shop
phone: +44 1493 844676address: 13 Regent Rd, NR30 2AFThe largest rock (the sugary type you can eat) factory in the world. They also make and sell many other types of confectionery, including many types of fudge, chocolate-coated strawberries and even diabetic products. -
phone: +44 1493 330313address: St. Nicholas Road, NR30 1NNCafe (different hours), ATMs.
Eat
Yarmouth has a long history of chip stalls on the market place near town centre and Market Gates. Several have been there for many many decades offering a delicacy not available anywhere else.
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phone: +44 1493 856859address: 26 Whitehorse Plain, NR30 1NE
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phone: +44 1493 331383address: 25a King St, NR30 2NZFree delivery locally on orders over £15.
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phone: +44 1493 330622address: Row 75, Howard St South, NR30 2PU
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phone: +44 1493 842740address: 68 Marine Parade, NR30 2DQ
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phone: +44 1493 330444address: 11-12 Marine Parade, NR30 3AH
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address: North Drive, NR30 1EQHas a good French-influenced restaurant.
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phone: +44 1493 845546address: The Pleasure Beach Gardens, South Beach Parade, NR30 3EH
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phone: +44 1493 332932address: 7-9 Regent Rd, NR30 2AFOne of the best places to eat in Yarmouth. When they bother to stock the ingredients on the menu (around 50% of the time) it is the best and cheapest place to get a good meal. The Troll Cart stocks a good range of spirits, ales and beer from around the world. Meat free and wheat free options are stated on their menu.
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phone: +44 1493 843490address: 27 - 30 CamperdownRestaurant serving modern food, a good spot for a romantic break.
Drink
When the sun goes down, Great Yarmouth becomes a wonderland of colour as you find your way to a night out on the town to enjoy our theatres, nightclubs, cinemas and casinos.
The Britannia Pier theatre has a varied programme of performance to enjoy.
For fine dining try the Anna Sewell restaurant or Café Cru at The Imperial Hotel. Alternatively, Pub on the Prom is a great place to start with a wide menu and a great atmosphere.
Popular clubs in Yarmouth include Caesars, Roseys, Kings Wine Bar, Arena, Fantasia, Peggotys, the Gari/Tabu/Gaping-Hole-In-The-Ground (after several incarnations this one has turned in to a fun place to be on a Saturday night), The Long Bar, Angels Strip Club and the Ocean Rooms.
The Britannia Pier theatre has a varied programme of performance to enjoy.
For fine dining try the Anna Sewell restaurant or Café Cru at The Imperial Hotel. Alternatively, Pub on the Prom is a great place to start with a wide menu and a great atmosphere.
Popular clubs in Yarmouth include Caesars, Roseys, Kings Wine Bar, Arena, Fantasia, Peggotys, the Gari/Tabu/Gaping-Hole-In-The-Ground (after several incarnations this one has turned in to a fun place to be on a Saturday night), The Long Bar, Angels Strip Club and the Ocean Rooms.
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phone: +44 1493 859752address: 16 Marine Parade, NR30 3AH
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phone: +44 1493 442255address: Dock Tavern Lane, Gorleston-on-Sea, NR31 6PYFree Wi-Fi.
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phone: +44 1493 843736address: 229 Northgate St, NR30 1BGAlso food.
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phone: +44 1493 844244address: 15 Marine Parade, NR30 3AH
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phone: +44 7940 009292 (mobile)address: 34 Regent StMocha is a coffee lounge and café by day offering cooked to order breakfasts and lunches.
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phone: +44 7808 032075 (mobile)address: 2 North Drive, NR30 4ETAlso food, deck chair hire.
Sleep
There's such a range of holiday accommodation in Great Yarmouth you'll be spoilt for choice.
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phone: +44 1493 843490address: 27-30 Camperdown, NR30 3JBThis hotel in Great Yarmouth has 3 AA stars, and a fine dining restaurant with 2
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phone: 0845004829 (non-geographic number)address: Warren Road, NR31 9BW2- and 3-bedroom privately owned static caravans for hire, all offering linen and towels in the price on Hopton Holiday Village.
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phone: +44 1493 843872address: Kings Road, NR30 3JW
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Marine House
phone: +44 1493 855051address: 81 Marine Parade, NR30 2DJVery friendly guest house, with a very reasonably priced bar room. Situated on the sea front close to Britannia pier. Also the best breakfast offered in the town. -
phone: +44 1493 331120address: 19-20 Euston Rd, NR30 1EBSwimming pool. Bar. Dining room.
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phone: +44 1493 844013address: 10 Wellesley Rd, NR30 2AR
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phone: +44 1493 855742address: 31 North Drive, NR30 4EWAA 4
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phone: +44 1493843795address: 7 Norfolk Square, NR30 1EEIn a quiet location of Great Yarmouth, though only 200 yards from the seafront and a 5-min walk into town. Double, twin & family rooms available.
Stay healthy
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Nearest Accident & Emergency: James Paget University Hospital
address: Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, NR31 6LA -
East Norfolk Medical Practice
phone: +44 1493 745050address: 147 Lawn Avenue, NR30 1QP -
phone: +44 1493 842559address: Greyfriars Chambers, 8 Queen Street, NR30 2QP
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Well
phone: +44 1493 843445address: 57-58 King Street, NR30 2PW