Great Yarmouth has welcomed beachgoers since the 18th century, when sea-bathing became the height of fashion. Today, its “Golden Mile” still glitters with two piers, vintage amusements, the Hippodrome Circus (a rare Edwardian circus building), and long ribbons of soft sand. Inland, the Norfolk Broads—England’s only wetland national park—unfurl into a labyrinth of reed-fringed rivers and big skies.

History runs deep here. The Romans built a fort at nearby Burgh Castle, herring once drove a booming fishing trade (celebrated at the Time & Tide Museum), and medieval merchants lined South Quay with grand houses. Fun fact: Joyland’s “Snails” ride has spun kids and their parents along the seafront since the 1940s.

Expect family-friendly attractions, windswept dunes, and proper seaside fare—ice cream, rock candy, and flaky cod from the fryer. Pack layers (coastal weather can change quickly), check tide times if seal-watching at Horsey, and note that some attractions are seasonal; museums and wildlife gardens make excellent off-season alternatives.

Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth blends nostalgic seaside energy with nature on its doorstep. Walk the promenades from Britannia Pier to Wellington Pier, detour into Merrivale Model Village, and, come evening, book seats for the Hippodrome’s summer water spectacular. When it’s time to slow down, the dunes at Winterton and the quiet marsh paths by Burgh Castle feel a world away.

• Top sights: Golden Mile, Britannia Pier, Wellington Pier, Pleasure Beach, Joyland, Sea Life Great Yarmouth, Time & Tide Museum, Merrivale Model Village, Hippodrome Circus.
• Nature & nearby gems: Norfolk Broads boat day (Wroxham/Horning), Horsey Gap seals, Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve, Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Gorleston-on-Sea beach, Burgh Castle Roman Fort.
• Local bites: seaside fish-and-chips, Cromer crab (in season), Norfolk cheeses, and pub roasts in countryside inns.

Where to stay: For sea views, look along North Drive and Marine Parade; for quieter nights, try Gorleston. Compare hotels and seaside apartments on Hotels.com and beachside cottages on VRBO.

Getting there: From London Liverpool Street, trains to Great Yarmouth (1 change at Norwich) take ~2 hr 40–3 hr, usually £20–£45 each way if booked in advance. Check timetables and fares on Omio Trains. Flying into London or regional airports? Compare routes and fares on Omio Flights, and consider a coach connection via Omio Buses.

Optional London add-on: Fancy a big-city day midweek? Ride an early train to London and plug into one of these curated tours:

• Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

  

• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Ticket

  

• Westminster to Greenwich Thames Cruise

  

Where to eat & drink (local favorites):

• Sara’s Tearoom (Marine Parade): homestyle breakfasts, scones, and hearty sandwiches; a beloved stop steps from the sand.
• Quayside Plaza (South Quay): Portuguese-Mediterranean plates, grilled seafood, and a rustic deli vibe in a centuries-old warehouse.
• Café Cru & The Terrace at the Imperial Hotel (North Drive): refined British menus and breezy sea-view dining; book for sunset.
• Chico’s Restaurant (seafront): chargrilled meats, seafood platters, and a lively holiday atmosphere.
• The Barking Smack (Marine Parade): real ales, crowd-pleasing pub fare, and outdoor tables for people-watching.
• The Fisherman’s Return (Winterton-on-Sea): thatched 17th‑century inn with local ales and carvery—perfect after dune walks.

Day 1: Arrival, the Golden Mile, and Pier Lights

Afternoon: Arrive and drop your bags. Stretch your legs along the Golden Mile, from Wellington Pier to Britannia Pier, to get your bearings. Duck into Merrivale Model Village for a whimsical first look at Norfolk in miniature, then grab an ice cream on the promenade.

Evening: Book dinner at The Terrace at the Imperial Hotel for coastal views and seasonal British plates (Norfolk lamb, local crab in season). Afterwards, stroll the illuminated pier arcades or catch a show at the Hippodrome Circus if it’s in season—its water stage reveal is pure Edwardian theatre magic.

Day 2: Museums, Minster, and Traditional Seaside

Morning: Start with a seaside breakfast at Sara’s Tearoom. Then visit the award-winning Time & Tide Museum, set in a preserved herring curing works; walk smokehouse yards and learn how “silver darlings” fueled Yarmouth’s past. Pop into the vast Great Yarmouth Minster to admire its soaring nave.

Afternoon: Sample market bites at the Great Yarmouth Market (fresh donuts, chips, and seafood stalls). Families can hop over to Sea Life Great Yarmouth to meet rays and sharks, or take the kids to Joyland for the classic Snails and Tyrolean Tubs rides.

Evening: Dinner at Quayside Plaza: think garlic prawns, grilled sardines, and a rustic bottle of vinho verde. Cap the night with a pint at The Barking Smack or a gentle walk along the beach if the wind drops.

Day 3: The Norfolk Broads—Boats, Mills, and River Pubs

Morning: Ride a quick train or drive to Wroxham (about 35–45 minutes from Great Yarmouth). Hire a day boat or join a guided cruise to glide the River Bure past reedbeds, marsh harriers, and chocolate-box thatched cottages. Keep your eyes peeled for old windpumps like Thurne Mill.

Afternoon: Moor up in Horning for lunch—try the Bure River Cottage Restaurant for seafood (book ahead on weekends). Continue upriver towards Salhouse Broad for a short shoreline stroll, or detour to Hoveton Great Broad nature trails in season.

Evening: Return to Yarmouth. Go casual with chargrills and seafood at Chico’s, then enjoy a twilight walk by the water gardens at the restored Venetian Waterways & Boating Lake on North Drive.

Day 4: Seals and Dunes—Horsey, Winterton, and Gorleston

Morning: Drive 25–35 minutes to Horsey Gap. In winter (Nov–Jan), thousands of grey seals pup on the sands; in summer, you’ll often see adults hauled out. Keep at least 10 meters back and follow warden guidance. Continue to Winterton Dunes for a gentle nature reserve walk.

Afternoon: Lunch at the thatched Fisherman’s Return (nearby Winterton). On your way back, stop at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens for tigers, leopards, and a famous crocodile house with elevated walkways.

Evening: Head south to Gorleston-on-Sea, whose wide bay often feels quieter than the Golden Mile. Grab coffee or a cone on the prom, then dine at the Pier Hotel (classic coastal pub dishes). Sunset from the clifftop gardens can be spectacular.

Day 5: Roman Marshes and Castle Cars—or Norwich for Culture

Morning: Choose your adventure. Option A: Walk the marsh-edge ramparts of Burgh Castle Roman Fort, a 3rd‑century Saxon Shore fortress with huge views across the River Waveney. Option B (seasonal, typically Easter–Sept): drive to Caister Castle Motor Museum to browse one of Britain’s largest private car collections and see a 15th‑century tower.

Afternoon: If the weather turns, swap in a city hit: take the 30–35 minute train to Norwich (direct). Visit Norwich Cathedral and stroll cobbled Elm Hill. Coffee at Strangers (local roaster), then the reinvented Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery for art, archaeology, and the Norman keep.

Evening: Stay in Norwich for dinner—book Benedicts for modern British tasting menus or The Assembly House for elegant classics—then return by train to Yarmouth on the Acle or Reedham line (services run into late evening; check Omio Trains for times).

Day 6: Optional London Day Trip with Curated Tours

For a blockbuster city interlude, take an early train (about 2 hr 40–3 hr; check Omio Trains) from Great Yarmouth to London Liverpool Street. Choose one of the following and build your day around it:

• See-it-all city overview: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour for flexible sightseeing with commentary.

  

• History and crown jewels: Prebook the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Ticket to explore the fortress, meet Yeoman Warders, and admire the regalia.

  

• Riverside perspective: A Thames Cruise from Westminster to Greenwich pairs landmarks with maritime Greenwich and the Cutty Sark area.

  

For snacks between sights, try Borough Market-style bites near London Bridge or a pub lunch off Whitehall. Aim for an early evening train back to the coast.

Day 7: Last Dips, Bowling, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Ease into the day with a promenade coffee and a quick look at any souvenirs you missed on Regent Road. If you’ve kids or a competitive streak, pop into Wellington Bowl for an hour, or take a final spin through the arcades.

Afternoon: Lunch by the seafront—share a seafood platter at Chico’s or go classic with cod and chips near Britannia Pier. If time allows before departure, stroll the South Quay for river views and handsome merchant houses.

Evening: Depart in the afternoon or early evening. If you’re lingering, book a farewell dinner at Café Cru and toast the sea. For onward travel, compare trains, coaches, and flights on Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and Omio Flights.

Practical tips: Many attractions (Pleasure Beach, Hippodrome shows, Caister Castle Motor Museum) are seasonal—double-check opening dates outside summer. For Horsey seals, wear sturdy shoes and keep dogs on leads. The coast can be breezy even in July; a light windproof jacket is your friend.

In seven days you’ll savor Great Yarmouth’s quintessential British seaside, from piers and promenades to quiet dunes and marsh walks—plus river time on the Broads. With optional forays to Norwich and London, this trip balances nostalgia, nature, and culture in one easy-to-love coastal base.