Holidays in Great Yarmouth

More around Great Yarmouth

What to expect from a few days here

Great Yarmouth works well as a base because there is plenty to fill a day in the town itself, and you can widen the net to attractions listed under Wroxham, Norwich, Cromer and Southwold. With 250 places to stay listed on BritStays in the region, you can pick somewhere that suits the days you have in mind. Travel times between these towns vary, so check your route before you set off, especially with children in the car.

Standout attractions by type

For families, the obvious starting point in town is the Pleasure Beach theme park, with Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Great Yarmouth for animals and rides. Beyond the town, BeWILDerwood in Wroxham is a firm favourite, and Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Norfolk suits dinosaur-mad children. Pleasurewood Hills is another theme park option, and Africa Alive in Southwold is worth the trip for a full day of wildlife.

For rainy days, lean on the museums. In Great Yarmouth you have Anna Sewell House, the Royal Naval Patrol Service Museum and the Lowestoft Maritime Museum. Playbarn in Norwich is another possibility for younger children, though check the facilities before you go.

For the outdoors, Horsey Windpump, the region's National Trust landmark, is a good excuse to get some fresh air. Gorleston Splashpad in Great Yarmouth is a water play option for warmer days; it is worth checking it is open before promising it to the children.

For heritage, the choice is wide:

The 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum in Norwich and the 95th Bomb Group Red Feather Club in Suffolk, both with an aviation history focus
The Muckleburgh Military Collection and Sheringham Museum at The Mo, both listed under Cromer
Woodbastwick Forge and Sutton Corn Mill, both listed under Wroxham
Wymondham Heritage Museum in Norfolk
Thorpeness & Aldringham Heritage Centre and Saxmundham Museum, both listed under Aldeburgh

Grouping attractions into a sensible day

The easiest way to plan is to group by town, so you are not criss-crossing the county. A few combinations that make sense:

A Great Yarmouth day: a morning at Anna Sewell House or the Royal Naval Patrol Service Museum, then an afternoon at the Pleasure Beach. Swap in Gorleston Splashpad if the weather is warm.
A Wroxham day: BeWILDerwood for the main event, with Woodbastwick Forge or Sutton Corn Mill for anyone who wants a quieter hour.
A Cromer day: pair The Muckleburgh Military Collection with Sheringham Museum at The Mo for a heritage-heavy outing.
A Norwich day: The 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum for older children and adults, or Playbarn if you have little ones.

Keep one big-ticket attraction per day and add a smaller one around it. Children tire quickly, and a relaxed pace usually makes for a better trip.

Where to eat

The following places in the region all hold a 5-star food hygiene rating:

The Kings Arms (pub and inn)
The White Horse (pub and inn)
The Troll Cart (pub and inn)
Starbucks (tea room)
Somerleyton Cycles and Ice Cream Parlour (ice cream)

Check where each one is before you plan around it, and book ahead at the pubs if you are eating as a larger group or during school holidays. An ice cream stop makes a good reward at the end of a long day out.

Turning it into a short break

For a three-day break, try one Great Yarmouth day, one family day further out (BeWILDerwood or Africa Alive) and one heritage day built around Cromer or Norwich. Keep the museum-heavy day flexible so you can move it if rain is forecast. With longer, you can add the Aldeburgh-listed heritage centres or Wymondham Heritage Museum.

Practical tips before you go

Opening times and prices change, so check each attraction's own details on the day you plan to visit, particularly outdoor ones like Gorleston Splashpad and Horsey Windpump. Book theme park tickets in advance where you can during busy periods, pack waterproofs whatever the forecast, and choose a stay that keeps your longest drive manageable.

Frequently asked questions

What family attractions are there in Great Yarmouth?

In Great Yarmouth you can visit Pettitts Animal Adventure Park and Gorleston Splashpad, and the Pleasure Beach theme park is a popular landmark. Further out, BeWILDerwood in Wroxham and Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Norfolk are good family options.

What can I do in Great Yarmouth on a rainy day?

Museums are a good choice. Anna Sewell House, the Royal Naval Patrol Service Museum and the Lowestoft Maritime Museum are all listed under Great Yarmouth. Playbarn in Norwich is another option for younger children.

Is there a National Trust property near Great Yarmouth?

Yes. Horsey Windpump is the National Trust landmark listed for the region.

Are there military and aviation museums in the region?

Yes. The 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum is in Norwich, the 95th Bomb Group Red Feather Club is in Suffolk, The Muckleburgh Military Collection is listed under Cromer, and the Royal Naval Patrol Service Museum is in Great Yarmouth.

Where can I eat with a 5-star hygiene rating?

The Kings Arms, The White Horse, The Troll Cart, Starbucks and Somerleyton Cycles and Ice Cream Parlour all hold 5-star food hygiene ratings.

How many places to stay are there in Great Yarmouth on BritStays?

There are 250 places to stay listed on BritStays in the Great Yarmouth region.