Historically, Great Yarmouth has been a resort for hundreds of years dating back to 1760. It has been primarily used as a gateway to the Norfolk Broads from the North Sea, and holiday-makers began flooding to the area when the railway opened in 1844.

However – Gorleston-on-Sea dates back even further than Great Yarmouth, with the Domesday Book noting in 1066 the manor was held by Earl Guert. Gorleston port became a centre of fishing for herring, however in Edwardian times the fishing industry rapidly declined and the town’s role changed to that of a seaside resort.

In most recent times, Sea Palling was hit by the great storm in January 1953 which unfortunately took the lives of 7 villagers. This tragedy led to the sea wall being extended in 1986, and in 1995 the Environment Agency undertook a multi-million-pound project to erect the now infamous barrier reefs.

If you are planning to visit the east coast soon – why not take a look at one of our holiday cottages? We have plenty of unique East Norfolk holiday homes dotted around the area.

You’ll find plenty of things to do in Great Yarmouth, especially on the beach front and down the promenade.

An incredibly popular amusement park is the Pleasure Beach, which is home to family rides and attractions over 9 acres. The most famous ride at this park is the wooden roller coaster, which originally opened in 1932.

The park is a pay-to-enter attraction, with standard admission starting at £15 per person. There’s something for everyone, from white-knuckle rides to traditional attractions such as the log flume and merry-go-round.

Great Yarmouth is also home to one of three of Norfolk’s Sea Life Centres. Experience the incredible underwater world and learn about the life of turtles, penguins, and more in their many aquariums.

There’s so much to do in Great Yarmouth – from shopping to evening entertainment. Make sure you pay Yarmouth a visit, as it’s a must-see.

Slightly further up the coast you’ll find Sea Palling. While this is a small coastal village, there’s still a few amenities you will want to check out.

Sea Palling is home to an all-year round café, which only closes for Christmas Day. Situated just next door is an amusement arcade, where you’ll find penny pushers and grab machines all waiting for you to try your luck. Plus, being a beach resort, Sea Palling is home to ice cream, fish and chips, and freshly cooked donuts, which are all must haves when dipping your toes in the sea.

Situated between Great Yarmouth and Sea Palling is Hemsby – a popular family-friendly seaside resort with mini golf, amusement arcades and more.

We recommend taking an evening stroll through Hemsby to experience the sunset on the Norfolk coast. It can get a bit chilly here behind the dunes, so do wrap up warm if visiting outside of the summer months.

Hemsby is also popular for its evening firework displays held throughout the year and during school holidays at 8pm. Seeing the sky light up in amazing colours is a perfect treat for all the family.

For that home away from home feeling, and to enjoy the Norfolk coast in all its glory, get in touch with Norfolk Cottage Agency to find out more about our homely cottages. Book one of our Norfolk holiday cottages today and start making your dream Norfolk break a reality.