Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Difficult one. My memories are based on family holidays to the Norfolk Coast including Yarmouth. Most of our photos show us on the beaches sheltering behind windbreaks! It is a typical seaside resort not as sucessful as Blackpool but sort of along those lines. Like most resorts fallen on hard times, Brits chose to go to Spain for their holidays, it is trying to reinvent itself so no wish to do it down and it may be less "chips (french fries) with everything" these days.

If it was my choice would prefer to stay at Southwold further down the coast or maybe even Norwich if being at the seaside was not important.

http://www.southwold.ws/

Hi Linda, Thanks for your reply. I've Googled Yarmouth a bit more, and see what you mean re 'chips with everything'(here in Canada we call them 'fries'). But, while I was thinking of windswept beaches, my husband says that Yarmouth is just what he's looking for - a bit retro/amusement park/tacky p'raps, but fun looking all the same, so he's just booked us into what looks like a decent hotel, thankfully off the main parade/strip. We have some 'family roots' exploring to do in the border area of Suffolk/Norfolk, and since we're both determined on a seaside location, Yarmouth seems the best bet. Your suggestions are much appreciated, though, so thanks again. Kathy

No suggestions. I'd considered the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads for my trip this fall. Maybe next time. I think it was Al from Nottingham who gave me the best info about it. It is not a tourist destination which makes it all the more attractive. He said the geograpy was more like that of Holland onto which it was once connected. I thought of trying to stay in Great Snoring for a bit. Who could resist. Try Smoothhound.co.uk for a B&B.

"It is not a tourist destination"

Maybe not a foreign tourist destination but definitely a British tourist destination.

Gosh Linda, I hadn't ment to demean these two counties. I've been having a love affair with England for over 50 years and to denigrate any part of it would would never do. I really did aim my comment at the foreign traveler.

Hi everyone - All comments very interesting and helpful, thanks muchly. As for Great Yarmouth not being a 'tourist destination', that's not as off-putting as one might think ... I'm looking forward to getting off the beaten track a bit (although from the Googling I've done of the area so far, the seaside promenade looks anything but lonely). I do have one more question - what's September weather like in London, and up through Yarmouth, Suffolk, Norfolk, Yorkshire & the Lake District in mid-late September? Should I pack anticipating pleasantly brisk or downright chilly temperatures? I love fall weather, but then I'm from the west coast of Canada . ..

Laurel - I just wanted point out that destinations in Norfolk and Suffolk can get very busy with British visitors (that awful word staycation!) so not to expect peaceful tranquility at all places, although depending on where you go that can be found.

Weather in September can be lovely, sunny with cool evenings BUT who knows! East Anglia is the driest part of the UK but easterly onshore winds are a feature, hence my comments about windbreaks on the beach. The usual advice applies here, layers with lightweight water/windproof top.

Have a great trip to one of my favourite areas and enjoy the big skies.

I suggest you go to Trip Advisor for reviews and recommendations of hotels in the area and to check on the one your husband booked. You might get other helpful advice at that website as well.

Thanks Linda, It sounds like the weather will be quite pleasant and easy to pack for (I tend to over-pack, but am determined to do my very best to stick to Rick's packing list for women).
And Frank, Thanks for your advice re Trip Advisor - it's a very useful site indeed, and one which we had already visited before booking not only our Great Yarmouth hotel but others we'll be staying in as well. Our hotel is a minute's stroll away from the the beachfront, so (hopefully) should be fairly quiet - and away from the bright lights described in the tourist info-blurb - for sleeping yet close enough to enjoy all that the seaside offers during the day. And the reviews were reasonably favourable .. so, all in all I think we're fairly well prepared for our trip - all hotels booked, car rented, etc.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and advice. Cheers!