Anyone been to Lowestoft/Pakefield

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I had my heart set on Southwold for a holiday but we can't get the right accommodation (tricky family set up) but have seen a suitable self catering cottage in Pakefield

I was looking forward to the quaintness of Southwold but the kids need things to do. Anyone been? Is it nice? Pretty? Run down? Tacky??

It’s very very different to Southwold - the beach at Lowestoft is lovely and sandy but the town is pretty bad……..

Not for many many years but it was a rundown British seaside resort when I was there. Not “quaint” as I would use the word in the slightest.

It’s probably only a 25 min drive to Southwold though so you could still easily visit for the day (just go early as it gets so busy in summer!)

Thanks everyone. Good to know. Is there much for young teens on the seafront? Cafes and arcades etc? Is the seafront grim or is that just the town?

Lowestoft beach is nice.
The town is rundown partly because retail parks have been built on the outskirts which people prefer.

Pakefield riding stables do beach rides.
Pakefield beach was very important during the second world war and there are a few remnant bits.
Transport museum nearby.

Oulton Broad is great to hire canoe / kayaks or motor boats. Racing boats on every Thursday. Tennis is free if you bring your own racket and balls and there is a playpark and cafe.

Gorleston beach is lovely, sandy with lifeguards but is generally very safe.
I would avoid going up to Sea Palling and along that bit of coast as the current is awful and people die every year although lovely for a walk, as is Horsey to see the seals.

Great Yarmouth is good for a touristy day out with little ones (again the town is run down but the seaside bit is fine). Pleasure Beach for older ones, Joyland for little ones, Venetian walkway to hire peddeloes and a nice walk. Hippodrome circus.

Dont miss a drive up to Bewilderwood, or the steam train at sheringham both well worth the drive.

I think there’s an arcade on the Pier but I haven’t been for a couple of years, there used to be a lovely cafe called The Thatch on the front too. You can walk from Pakefield too

My DC are teen and pre teen and love Oulton Broad as above - canoeing, crazy golf.

If you like quaint there’s also Aldeburgh but that’s a bit further

Pakefield is largely eroding into the sea so its been left pretty natural with no big new build buildings which is quite nice in itself as it largely looks as it would have done decades ago. But that means there is not much in Pakefield on the seafront but a chippy. On Lowestoft beach there is a pier with a few arcades and bits but not as much as GY and the pier is easily walkable from Pakefield beach.

@HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime that's really useful, thanks so much. The kids have been to Great Yarmouth before and loved it! (Not my cup of tea but the holiday is more for them than us)

Thanks also for the tip about the sea. I'm terrified of rip tides (made worse by binge watching 'saving lives at sea'!). Are Southwold/Lowestoft/Gt Yarmouth beaches generally okay?

Are there arcades and gift type shops on the seafront at Lowestoft?

If you are very local do you know if Lowestoft is walkable from Pakefield?

Thanks again!!

Thanks @Autumn101. The cafe sounds great and walkable to the pier sounds brilliant

You have pleasurewood hills near by for amusement park (short drive) there is also Africa Alive zoo in kessingland. Southwold is not to far by car

Pakefield to Lowestoft beach is definitely walkable its literally just around a corner of coast from Pakefield beach car park to Lowestoft pier would take less than 30 minutes.

I'm not sure about the other beaches, Gorleston I know well and is gently sloping and as far as I know or experienced doesnt have riptides, it has an area that has resident lifeguards and I can't remember anyone getting into danger around there. Those that have done have taken inflatables in when not appropriate etc. I've been in the sea at Lowestoft which I think got deeper quicker but was ok - although I dont think they have lifeguards.

Great Yarmouth sea is a very long walk as the beach is so large. Overall I would recommend Gorleston - it isnt touristy, has some lovely pubs and restaurants on the beach front, 2 small arcades, parking is free, has a little gift shop.

If I was you Id make an itinerary and pack the car up for what you need each day, each area is very different and none of them are very far from each other. We often drive up to Cromer for the morning for crabbing and rockpooling, drive down to Happisburgh (pronounced Haze-bruh) to see the lighthouse and play on the zipline, Horsey for the seals, maybe winterton or sea palling (there are adders in winterton dunes dont let children jump in holes). A bit of a beach crawl if you like.

We havent explored the Suffolk coast as much but there is southwold maize maze and Thorington outdoor theatre - take a something soft to sit on which are both worth a visit.