When I think back to my first glimpse of Great Yarmouth, I immediately recall the beautiful wide, sandy beach with a pram and wheelchair friendly extra-wide promenade lined with cafes, ice cream kiosks, amusements and activities to entertain all ages.(AD)
Great Yarmouth's "Golden Mile" with not one but two piers offered a whole host of delights which made it the most exciting destination in the world in the eyes of my children. It reminded me of my own excitement going to the seaside when I was little with the promise of ice cream, paddling, sandcastles and more to look forward to.
The beaches at Greater Yarmouth and for 15 glorious miles along that coastline are amazing, with plenty of space to play, relax and walk with views of the North Sea in all its moods.
Like the holidays from my childhood, there are even donkey rides on offer on Great Yarmouth beach. Don't worry- research reassured me that these animals are very much loved and well cared for, live in acres of fields, and have lots of days off in the summer and don't work at all in the winter apart from the odd appearance as nativity donkeys!
Of course Great Yarmouth has one of the most iconic British seaside towns for more than a century and although all the ingredients for a traditional timeless family holiday are on offer, there's also plenty to do for the more sophisticated kids (and adults) of today, even hard-to-please teens.
Just looking ahead to October half term there's a whole host of fantastic events for all ages. Are your children aged 10 plus? Check out Fairground Frights at Great Yarmouth's famous Pleasure Beach between October 26-30. Featuring ghoulishly costumed actors, spooky scares and surprises and 20 plus fun filled rides (height restrictions apply) this seasonal special runs from 5-8.30pm and is sure to entertain even the most jaded teenager.
One of Great Yarmouth's most popular autumn events is back this year too. The fantastic"Fire on the Water" festival is moving to the golden sands of central beach where from 22-29 October you can be wowed by immersive and dynamic displays of dance and acrobatics with dramatic light installations and night time fire shows.
The admission price includes family friendly workshops and there's an accessible route for wheelchairs, buggies and mobility scooters. It's pay what you can between £3-12 but hurry - this sells out fast.
That's part of the charm of Great Yarmouth. Whatever the season there is something to do or see. Visit the circus or the SEALIFE Centre.
Head along to Hemsby where you will find Hurst's Family Fun Park. Enjoy the historic Pleasure Beach which opened in 1909 and is still delighting visitors today, generally opening between March and October for fairground fun. Take a boat to go and look for the native seals - I was so excited when I saw them!
Yarmouth also has a number of theatres and a great music scene. There's even a greyhound racing stadium where you can enjoy drinks and a meal while you marvel at the speed of the dogs. Oh BTW, Great Yarmouth has a number of dog friendly beaches - most open all year round for your four legged friends. The main beach is accessible for dogs between October and May. Perfect for winter walks with the woofs.
There's so much going on in Great Yarmouth all year round I could type until my fingers fall off. I suggest for the most up to date info to help you make the most of a day trip, short break or longer holiday you should check out the Visit Great Yarmouth Facebook page where you can see what's on all year round and even message if you have any queries or clarifications.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.