'I visited UK's worst seaside town but was floored by what I found on arrival'
Despite being rated as the UK's 'worst' seaside town, my family's staycation to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk turned out to be a really fun trip. Going on holidays doesn't always mean having to hop on a plane and travel hundreds of miles away. Wanting to save some money, my parents and I decided to try something different: staying in a caravan with two of my good friends who joined us.
In a 2023 survey by Which?, Great Yarmouth was among the 10 worst beachside spots in the country. Some of the complaints were disappointing B&Bs (bed and breakfasts), run-down arcades and 'aggressive' seagulls. However, my experience was completely the opposite - and I liked it.
We didn't do much research, and I had never even heard about Great Yarmouth, but Norfolk came up in our search, so we thought, why not? Two nights for five people cost us around £150, and we had a whole balcony with each person having their own room.
We arrived after a two-hour drive from London to find clear skies and a friendly atmosphere. We stayed at a caravan park, where we saw both locals and visitors, and some decent outdoor activities - including a lively pub.
Sure, you had to drive around to get to places, and the phone service was awful, but still it was the perfect excuse to have a phone detox and enjoy the moment.
The next day we drove around the town, and found some restaurants, sweet shops, and ice cream parlours. Thinking it's a quiet town, there's actually a lot to do. Great Yarmouth hosts a SEA LIFE Aquarium, lots of arcades, museums, National Trust properties and even a Britannia Pier.
Due to its relatively small size, we were able to see everything in one day. We walked across the beach and stomped with the 'aggressive' seagulls - but they weren't that scary. My friends and I also visited a cat café where I saw a Sphynx cat for the first time.
Later on that day, we ate some delicious and affordable English breakfast by the sea. With our stomachs filled and a colourful slushy cup, we came across a tattoo shop. To add some spontaneity, my friend and I got a tattoo done for £20 each, which I found shocking.
In my opinion, Great Yarmouth defied its reputation. From beachside breakfast to arcades and affordable tattoos, it had more to offer than I expected. Two days were more than enough, and I left with good memories and a small tattoo as a souvenir.
It's the ideal place for families with small children, and for those looking to spend some time at the beach without flying across the world. So, if you're looking for a budget-friendly escape from the city, Great Yarmouth might be your new summer spot.
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