Great Yarmouth - more than bright lights and beaches (Great Yarmouth in General)

Member Name: famouslastwords

Product:	Great Yarmouth in General
Date:	10/11/08 (435 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, varied activities for all the family

Disadvantages: Not everyone cup of tea!

Well, i thought i would drop by and write a review about my current home, Great Yarmouth.

Im currently a student in Norwich but i live in Great Yarmouth and travel in. I have been here just over 3 years but have had family live here for many years so i always used to visit as a child - so ive seen a lot of changes and development over the years.

Great Yarmouth is a seaside town in East Anglia. We are located around 117 miles away from London, and have a population of 47,300. We are most often considered a holiday town, but be assured, people do live and work here! Work is currently being undergone on a new outer harbor, which intends to take passengers to Holland from 2011.

Where to stay?
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There are loads of different places to stay in Great Yarmouth. Some people enjoy caravans, and there are many large caravan parks locally, including a Haven based in Central Great Yarmouth.

Within the town, there are a large amount of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. Right on the beach there is a travelodge which offers rooms from £20 a night. However, there are so many little bed and breakfasts all around the town it is worth shopping around to get the most for your money. Most of the B&Bs are a little dated but really sweet, great just to act as a base.

Where to eat?
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there are all types of food for all types of budget here!

For quick snacks, there are 2 KFC's (one next to the 'Market Gates' shopping centre, one in Amusements next to the beach) McDonalds (next to KFC opposite Market Gates), a Pizza Hut (Across from McDonalds), Spudulike (Next to McDonalds) and a Subway (along the seafront)

However, for the ultimate Great Yarmouth cheap snack you need to hit the market for some chips! At last count, there was around 10 chipshops on the market, so no need to queue. Portions cost between 60p for a kiddie cone, and £1.50 for a large. There are LOADS of different sauces to pick; from salad cream and tomatoes sauce to Sweet and sour sauce and gravy!. Not so good for you but needs to be done once :)

Also, on the market you can get a carvery sandwich and a selection of lovely chinese food for around £3. For pudding, along the front you can get freshly made donuts, candy floss and rock. (Its all health food here!)

Those of you who are looking for a mid-cost sit down meal, try the restaurant between the bottom of regent road and along the seafront (you will see that i mean when your there!) So many restaurants in such close competition leads to great prices and a lovely range of food. Id recommend the all you can eat chinese next to the bingo, and the little italian on the corner of regent road.

Yarmouth also has a fatso's speak easy on kings Street. The food is great for carnivores! with lots of burgers and American style treats.

If you prefer the finer things in life, i would recommend Olive Garden on regent road, Friends Bistro on St Georges Road or, top of the bunch, Cafe Cru at the Imperial Hotel (Along the seafront towards Scroby Sands) Excellent food, at a higher price.

What to do?
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Well, this depends a great deal on your age range or family status, ill touch on some of the highlights, but these wont be for everyone.

- Pleasure Beach
Yarmouth's biggest theme park. Including one of the oldest rollercosters in Europe. No entrance fee, but you need to buy tokens or a wrist band. I would recommend getting there early and buying a wristband for £20, allowing you to go on as many rides as you like all day.

for more information, check out the website -http://www.pleasure-beach.co.uk/

- Pirate Golf
Right on the beach, the pirate crazy golf is grrrrreat fun! around £4 a game, which depending on how busy it is, takes around an hour. Great fun for the whole family, with all different sorts of challenges.

- Amusements
Along the seafront, there are tonnes of different amusements to visit! from the 2p pushers, to dance machines, to shoot-um-ups, there really is something for everyone. This can get expensive though so id recommend you set you budget before you hit the town and get carried away!

- Hippodrome
The shows at the Hippodrome change year round, but normally incorporate some kind of clown show. Honestly, i cant say much as i have never been, but my younger brother and sister went to the christmas show and had a fantastic time. They also do more adult shows, such as blues brothers and sea shanties.

Give the website a check for the latest shows.
http://www.hippodromecircus.co.uk/

- Marina Center
The marina center is based on the beach and has a full gym, swimming pool and monkeys climbing area for children. Excellent for working off those chips!

The swimming pool has a slide and a babies area for younger children.

- The beach!!
Of course, the highlight of Great Yarmouth is the lovely beach. Obviously, what you do on the beach is up to you, but i thought id give a few hints and tips;

- Feel free to take a picnic and drinks, but PLEASE take your rubbish with you to keep the beach clean.
- If you go in the water, please either dont take or use extreme caution with inflatables. Several people a year die being swept out to sea on these or at the very least cost a fortune for the lifeguard to go out and rescue.
- If you take your dog, please dont let him leave any nasty surprises.

Clubs and pubs
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Alongside the fun to be had during the day, get yarmouth has a great night life too :)

Longbar - Open until 6am on fridays and saturdays (£3 entry after 12, free before) Longbar is one of the best and most popular clubs in the Area. Found on the corner of Regent Street. Thought drinks are expensive here!

Mission - Along from Longbar, and much more classy, mission is a lovely buzzing little place with different music on different nights. Free entry

Arena - This club is based in the old viewing tower over great yarmouth. Honestly, i have never been! but people travel in from Norwich to go to the club nights here. They often have themed nights and guest stars.

Troll Cart - Opposite McDonalds, this Wetherspoons is great for pre-nights out meals and drinks. The cheapest in the town, get two meals for £7, with drinks for £10.

Shopping in Yarmouth
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You get an awful lot of souvenir shops and pound lands in yarmouth! but we do have some high street favourites to, and a great market!

Topshop, River Island, Debenhams, BHS, Woolworths, WHSmiths, Superdrug, New Look, Peacocks, Size Up, Staples, Ryman, Dixons, Curries, Hughes..ect.

However, my little superstore is Bizarre, Bizarre. Found just along from Poundstretcher and Mocha (lovely proper coffee shops) just go and see. full of lovely things. Also, fellow goths will love 'Dead Good' on Regent Road.

What to do outside Yarmouth?
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Hemsby - Great for Amusements
Cromer - the crabbing capital of the East!
Norwich - nearest big city, EXCELLENT for shopping!!


Hope this helps - hope you enjoy Yarmouth!!!

Summary: Lots to do and no flights needed!