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If you are planning a trip to Great Yarmouth and looking to discover what are the best things to do at this popular seaside resort, then take a look at the 10 things to do on the Great Yarmouth seafront. Enabling you to make a bucket list of the fun things to do whilst spending time up and down the golden mile that is made up of Marine Parade and South Beach Parade.

Transport links to Great Yarmouth Seafront

When it comes to planning a trip to the seaside town of Great Yarmouth whilst the focus will be on the lots of places you are looking to visit and enjoy, the practical side of you will also be thinking about how will you get to your holiday destination. Let’s take a look at the different transport methods available to get to Great Yarmouth seafront.

• Car – Located on the Norfolk coast, Great Yarmouth can be reached via the A47, both from the west via Norwich and the South via Lowestoft (which used to be the A12, but the A47 was extended from Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft). To the North, you have the A149 if you are staying further up the coast, in Hemsby or beyond – all providing an easy route into the holiday destination. Following the brown tourist signs, you’ll be easily navigated to the Great Yarmouth seafront, where you will find a plethora of car parks up and down the seafront for easy access to the family attractions. 
• Bus – If you are planning on visiting via public transport, make sure to take a look at the bus routes available. From national providers such as National Express coming in from further afield to East Anglia services such as the Excel service via First Bus that offers services from Peterborough, Beccles and Lowestoft. The majority of these services will terminate in Great Yarmouth town centre, underneath the Market Gates shopping centre, from here it is a 5-10 minute walk down Regent Road to reach the seafront and you will capture a glimpse of Britannia Pier at the top of Great Yarmouth seafront as you make your way down the road. There is also the Clipper bus service which services Hemsby to Great Yarmouth stopping at various points along the way, it is a great way to get an open-top look at the area.
• Train – Great Yarmouth train station is located to the west side of the seaside town and is a little far from the main seafront area, however, there are several bus services available as well as taxis to help you get to the popular spot if you do not feel like the walk. 

10 Things to do on Great Yarmouth seafront

There is something quite special about a visit to the seaside, a trip to enjoy the golden mile that is Great Yarmouth seafront will undoubtedly entertain you all day. Located on the Norfolk coast, the popular seaside resort of Great Yarmouth has a deep history in the fishing industry as well as entertaining holidaymakers and tourists with an array of traditional attractions, amusement arcades, sea views and miles of sandy beaches.

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Located to the south of Great Yarmouth seafront is the popular tourist attraction that is Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach. Home to the wooden roller coaster that was built back in 1932, it is one of only two remaining wooden roller coasters in the UK (and seven in the world)! You may remember seeing the iconic coaster in the Madness House of Fun video that was filmed back in 1982.

It is a great place to enjoy an array of white-knuckle rides, and family rides and enjoy the different events that they house over the summer months. From Big Wednesdays when the Great Yarmouth seafront fireworks spectacular takes place each Wednesday night to meet and greet character days to themed live music summer nights including Best of British and Coaster Cabana events.

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach operates a closed-gate system, where everyone entering will need a valid form of entry similar to other theme parks and amusement parks. With two entry options available, wristbands entitle the bearer to entrance to the park and unlimited rides for the day or you can buy a Fun Card for either £5 or £10 loaded with 5 or 10 credits (these can be topped-up throughout the attraction and re-used across the season).

Wellington Pier

Wellington Pier is one of the Victorian piers located to the south of the seafront next to the iconic Winter Gardens (which is currently closed but undergoing consultation for restoration) and is home to a large amusement arcade and Wellington Bowl. Whether you are looking to try your luck on the penny arcade, attempt to grab a teddy or two from the grabber machines (I’m sure they have a proper name, but we all call them grabber machines) or collect tickets from the various machines, to, save up for a larger prize from the ticket shop. 

Within the arcade there is a smaller ten-pin wooden bowling alley available, however, if you are looking to get competitive with family and friends take the short walk outside the back of the arcade over to Wellington Bowl for the perfect place to enjoy bowling, playing pool or just chilling out in the lounge overlooking the beach.

Merrivale Model Village

Merrivale Model Village is not just another model village – it is a typical reflection of the English countryside in miniature, just over one acre in extent. It has its busy town centre, as well as its perfectly kept village inn, farm, travelling fair, sports stadium, zoo, holiday park, country club, castle and cottages. You will see different types of models set against an attractive scenic background, achieved by the planting of several dozen deciduous. Look carefully as you make your way around the model village as you will see hidden details that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth

Home to marine animals from around the world, the Sealife Centre Great Yarmouth is a family attraction that will make you think differently about the creatures that inhabit our seas. Taking young children through to adults on a journey to discover the fish, penguins and sharks as they check out interactive displays around the sea life centre. Be sure to check out the various talks available throughout the day to gain a deeper insight into marine animals.

Great Yarmouth Beach

Is it even a visit to the seaside if you don’t make the most of the miles of sandy beaches available? Great Yarmouth is fortunate enough to have three beaches available across the Golden Mile. The north beach includes sand dunes perfect for walking the dog as well as sea views over to Scroby Sands wind farm and nature reserve, to Great Yarmouth’s central beach which is located within walking distance of the popular tourist attractions such as the Sealife Great Yarmouth.

Whereas the south beach offers a quieter place to reflect, look out across the sea and recharge your batteries for further family fun. During the summer holidays, the beaches can get busy with Great Yarmouth Central Beach being the busiest, however, you will still be able to find your little slice of seaside beach for a great day making sandcastles and maybe dipping your toes into the water.

Hippodrome Circus & Water Spectacular 

Dubbed as one of the seven wonders of the British seaside by the Daily Mail the Hippodrome Circus is Britain’s only surviving Total Circus building, built in 1903. Peter Jay brought the building back in 1979 and restored the water spectacle in 1981 which has been a huge part of the draw to the Hippodrome ever since.

Delighting fans since 2009, the comedy duo Jack Jay and Johnny Mac are the talent behind the Hippodrome Circus & Water Spectacular show which runs across the summer in Great Yarmouth. The duo writes, produces and directs the Easter show Pirates!, Summer Show, Halloween Spooktacular and Christmas Spectacular.

After you have seen a show, be sure to visit the Circus Museum for a treasure trove of memories and circus memorabilia. It costs just £1 per adult and 50p per child and is well worth the chance to see the props, old photos, vintage posters and even see how the original water mechanism and tanks work.

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf

Pirate’s Cove is an 18-hole Adventure Golf Course which has been entertaining visitors for more than 25 years. Putt your way through caves, over footbridges, and under cascading waterfalls, all amidst a fun-filled atmosphere, tropical landscaping, and enchanting pirate lore. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf offers an unequalled crazy golf experience located in the heart of Great Yarmouth seafront next to the Marina Centre.

Arc Cinema

Whether you are looking to hide from the British weather or simply looking to enjoy one of the latest blockbusters, then a visit to the Arc Cinema Great Yarmouth will be right up your alley. Located towards the top of the main Great Yarmouth seafront, you will find the Arc Cinema in an impressive building that was originally built as an aquarium and later in the main hall for summer shows, pantomimes and roller skating. The perfect place to take a load off, enjoy the luxury seating, free parking in the car park located just outside (available on a first-come, first-served basis) and watch a film – be sure to check out the website for updates on special offers available.

Britannia Pier

Britannia Pier is another of the Victorian piers that is available on the seafront, located to the top of Great Yarmouth seafront, it is home to an array of family attractions. The Britannia Pier Theatre hosts a variety of shows and celebrities across the summer season and beyond – Be sure to check out the Britannia Theatre website for a full lineup of shows available. Alongside this, you have fairground rides available at the end of the pier operated on a token system, and bars and amusement arcades are also available. With Joyland available just next door.

Joyland Great Yarmouth

Joyland is a historic free-entry amusement park located in Great Yarmouth, on the coast of East Anglia. The theme park opened in 1949 on the site of the former Anchor Gardens next to Britannia Pier. Enjoy a family day out with a range of rides suitable for the whole family such as the Giant Snails, Spooky Express and Neptune’s Kingdom. The rides are operated on a token basis which can be purchased at the booths around the park. 

Where to eat on Great Yarmouth seafront

• Sara’s Tea Rooms
• Continental Restaurants
• Ice Cream and Donut vendors

What else can you do in Great Yarmouth?

• Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
• National Trust Elizabethan House Museum
• Tolhouse Museum
• English Heritage Great Yarmouth Row Houses and Greyfriars’ Cloisters
• Norfolk Nelson Museum
• Yarmouth Stadium & Greyhound Racing
• Great Yarmouth Racecourse

Other local places to visit in Norfolk

• Hemsby Beach
• Gorleston-On-Sea Beach
• Breydon Water
• Burgh Castle
• Norfolk Broads