Local Area Information
HEMSBY
Hemsby is a firm family favourite for a staycation with miles of sandy beaches to explore as well as amusements, restaurants and gift shops.
Hemsby has been welcoming guests to its village for decades and many visitors return year after year to enjoy a break by the sea.
The road from the Belle Aire site to the beach (5 min walk) has many restaurants that provide breakfast, lunch and evening meals during the summer months as well as coffee outlets and the usual hot dogs/burgers and ice cream stalls.
Hemsby has two pubs on the way to the beach, the Lacon Arms and The Seadell; The Lacon Arms offers the and has a pleasant garden area with children's play equipment. The Seadell has a pool table as well as a dart board and also shows football on a multitude of screens.
Amusements are always open (apart from Xmas day) to keep the family busy and this includes the usual slot machines and children's rides as well as bingo. There are even two go kart circuits for the more adventurous. There is a fun fair located behind the amusements on Beach Road that has rides for all ages including bumper cars, a waltzer, ghost walk and the famous slide ride.
Hemsby also has a number of take-away restaurants that includes Indian, Chinese, Pizza, Kebab and fish and chips.
A firm favourite with walkers and dog walkers as the the Norfolk coastline is available to explore as well as the Norfolk Broads nature reserve.
GREAT YARMOUTH
Located just 7 miles from Hemsby is East Anglia's most famous resort, Great Yarmouth.
With an abundance of shops, restaurants, amusements, piers and entertainment outlets there really is something for everyone.
Blessed with golden sands, the beach has plenty of space for holiday makers to spread out and enjoy the beach.
Britannia Pier is free to visit and has a number of amusements along its length as well as food outlets, two pubs and the famous Theatre where every year celebrities such as Jim Davidson, Jimmy Carr, Sarah Millican and Chubby Brown appear.
The Wellington Pier is now a Tenpin Bowling centre and amusement arcade that is open all year round and has a nice bar/coffee area for visitors to relax and take in the views across the beach and out over the North Sea.
At the far end of Marine Parade is the Pleasure Beach that has a mixture of high octane rides and traditional rides for all the family. Famous for its wooden roller coaster that opened in 1932 and still thrills its riders with big dips and rises. A great day out for all the family.
The Hippodrome Circus is still thrilling visitors throughout the year with its various shows. Built in 1903 it is one of only two purpose built permanent circuses in England still in operation and one of only three in the world with a circus floor that sinks into a pool. This building was designated as a World heritage site in December 1978.
Regent Road is the main road leading from the beach to the town centre and is lined with restaurants and gift shops.
HORSEY GAP
This is the place to visit if you want to see seals in their natural habitat.
During the winter months the seals can be viewed resting and giving birth to their pups.
With the births in 2022 at record numbers you should see plenty of seals either on the beach or swimming close to the shore.
Make sure that you take your camera!
POTTER HEIGHAM
One of the more popular places on the Norfolk Broads for visitors as this is home to the famous "Lathams" store that sells everything from camping stoves to baked beans, garden furniture and everything in between. If you want to fill up your cupboards or just spend an hour or so wandering around, this is the place to go. Popular with both holiday makers and boaters.
Apart from Lathams, Potter Heigham has a cafe for breakfasts and lunches to keep the many walkers fed and watered as well as a chip van.
Electric Day boats are also available to hire from Potter Heigham. These small craft allow you to explore the broads for a couple of hours and see the sights from the river. If you have never been on a broads boat before this is a good way to get a taster of life on the river. In summertime it is advisable to book your boat in advance.
