One of Britain’s most recognisable seaside towns, we ventured on a weekend trip to Great Yarmouth to check out what it has to offer.
Obviously, stepping it up a notch was a must.
UK seaside visits grew post-lockdown due to the ease of travel, so we for sure weren’t going to stick to every tourist trap on our trip to Great Yarmouth (although, to be honest, we did fall in to quite a few).
We’re talking food, activities and little hidden gems scattered along the beachfront and its quirky little cobbled backstreets.
Here’s how we spent 48 hours in this must-visit spot.
Sea Life
The town has its very own Sea Life aquarium – home to penguins and a variety of different species of shark, including endangered oceanic life, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. It takes roughly one to two hours to walk the full length.
Hippodrome Circus
If you’re wanting to visit the true wonder of the Great Yarmouth, the hippodrome circus is where you want to be. Family-friendly, and extraordinary, performers from all over the world collect for seasonal performances that will leave you in awe.
I was left speechless on multiple counts. If we’re being totally honest, there were a few mistakes – but it added to the adrenaline of these performers truly pushing themselves to the max for nothing but pure entertainment. That’s the kind of dedication I can get behind.
I already can’t wait for a day trip up over Christmas to watch the company’s next spectacular. Luckily, during this visit, it was a celebration of the circus’ 40th anniversary.
And to top it all off – at the end of each show you can have a scout around the Hippodrome’s legendary museum that contains pieces from all shows throughout its historical run.
Mini golf
Different forms of mini golf are streamed all along the sea front – each styled differently, adding a level of edge to each one if you decide to do a crawl.
Unfortunately, we simply didn’t have the time so went to the attraction at Pleasure Beach Gardens. There were twelve holes, and *ahem* not to brag but I got multiple holes in one. A true life skill.
The Pleasure Beach
Just like most seaside towns offering themselves up as a tourists’ UK dream, Great Yarmouth has a Pleasure Beach theme park that houses multiple friend-friendly rides, from the dodgems through to child friendly roller coasters and your typical fairground attractions.
I came out of the dodgems incredible battered and bruised due to multiple pre-teens seeing my beautifully beat face and thinking ‘prime f***ing target’, but alas, we move.
I also learnt that failing your driving test four times means you’re also going to be rubbish at attempting to maneuver a dodgem car, too. Who knew?
Pamela’s
Okay, okay, now I can’t even begin to explain or get across the level of service, aesthetic and quality Pamela’s offers up as a restaurant. If I were to name one place you just have to be at in Great Yarmouth, it’d be here.
Looking like a 90’s inspired speakeasy, the place is run by Mimi – the definition of ‘vibe’ in human form. She treated me like a true queen, serving up cocktails and showing off the secret smoking area so I could chain a cig in-between some of the most glorious dishes I’ve ever had the pleasure of chucking down my throat.
Café Ocean
Serving up more than your standard café – Café Ocean offers great options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I tucked in to the sea bass in lemon butter, served with new potatoes and a tomato salsa. It was divine. And the portion size was nothing to be scoffed at.
The restaurant also serves a mixture of burgers, fresh from the grill steaks, gorge salads and a whole host of extras to make your meal top tier.
The Prom Hotel
A standard sea view room at The Prom Hotel goes for around £150 and it’s totally worth every single penny. Not only is there a very well run pub attached to the hotel serving food all day, alongside your typical cocktail list (available as pitchers, too – crucial), but a games room and two restaurants.
I stayed in a standard double room with a sea view for the first two nights, and was then moved, for one night only *breaks out into Dreamgirls soundtrack* into the superior suite.
Okay, so, the suite… It was a dream. Hilariously, I totally didn’t expect it so I spent way too long looking around for the room I was meant to stay in, assuming that the suite I kept passing just simply could not be it, right? I was wrong, and oh so grateful that I was.
It comes with a separate bedroom, living space and bathroom – basically, a London apartment (considering the suite was the exact same size as my own). And for an extra £2.50, you can order room service from the bar downstairs – obviously, I took full advantage.
Make the most of your trip to Great Yarmouth
Tickets from London to Great Yarmouth start from just £10. For the cheapest tickets book direct at Greater Anglia or via the Greater Anglia app.
The Prom Hotel – A night’s stay in a Premier Seaview double room starts £150 for two including breakfast.
Standard admission for The Pleasure Beach is £15 for three hours.
Standard entry to Sea Life from £18.95 for those aged 15 and above, £16.95 for aged 3-14 – under threes go free.
Hippodrome Circus ranges from £22 per adult and from £13 per child.
Open top bus tour – all day coast pass £7 per adult and seafront all day pass £4.
Check out Ocean Café and Pamela’s Facebook pages for more information.
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