Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is a major seaside resort in Norfolk, 18 miles from Norwich. It stands on a spit of land which has grown up between the North Sea and the River Yare, joined by the River Waveney and the River Bure, and has five miles of sandy beaches.
Before becoming popular with trippers, it had been a flourishing port, involving fishing for herring, for more than a thousand years. Its charter was granted by King John in 1208.
Great Yarmouth has a very attractive waterfront, with mediaeval merchants` houses and a grid of alleys and courtyards known as The Rows.
Parts of the town walls, including two towers, have survived.
The Tollhouse dates from the 13th century, and is one of the oldest civic buildings in England.
St. Nicholas` Church dates back to the Norman period, and is widely regarded as the largest parish church in the country. After being gutted by bombs in 1942, it was restored by Stephen Dykes Bower.
St. Nicholas` Priory was founded around 1100, and the Greyfriars Cloister in the 14th century.
Nelson`s Monument, designed by William Wilkins, was built in 1819, and rises to 144 feet with 217 steps.
There are two piers, Britannia Pier and Wellington Pier.
The Kingdom of the Sea has displays of British and tropical fish.
Great Yarmouth features in Charles Dickens` "David Copperfield", and George Borrow completed "Romany Rye" in the town.
Among those born in Great Yarmouth are the poet Francis Turner Palgrave, compiler of the "Golden Treasury"; and novelist Anna Sewell, who wrote "Black Beauty".
Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Great Yarmouth for groups.
Places in Great Yarmouth
Britannia Pier, Elizabethan House Museum, Empire Cinema, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth Station, Hippodrome, Maritime Museum, Nelson`s Monument, Row 111, Row Houses, Sea Life Centre, St. Nicholas Priory Church, Tolhouse, Wellington Pier, Windmill Cinema, Winter Gardens