Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Things to do for free/cheap with children around Great Yarmouth??

30 replies

FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:21

ShelleyLou and I are off in just under 3 weeks time for our holiday. We're staying in Scratby (California Cliffs Holiday Park) - but intend on heading off to Yarmouth etc some days too.

We'll have 4 boys with us, 7,4 21 months and 14 months and are on a very limited budget. So the cheaper the better - and free would be excellent. Need to be able to get to it on the bus, but not adverse to a walk so long as it's not too far.

Going to take a "picnic" with us when we venture out and about, but places that are (very) cheap for snacks/treats would be great to know about too.

OP posts:
Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:28

FAQ there is nothing free. You could collect 2p's and play some of the machines.

The only thing I can think of is that there is a cafe in the Sea Life Centre which has a soft play bit, which you might be able to use.

You will just need to spend most days on the beach, because honestly it is a big touristy resort and everything is money, money, money.

Hope you have a good time though!

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:30

well - parks, anything -

what do people that live in Great Yarmouth (poor sods ) do with their children??

Doesn't have to be in Great Yarmouth either - don't mind getting on the bus to go somewhere if the "somewhere" is cheap and fun

OP posts:
shelleylou · 14/07/2008 14:31

damn ive just cashed in all my 2p's

Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:32

Pleasure Beach prices

I live in Norwich, so don't know GY that well, I haven't seen any parks though tbh.

You could get the bus up to Norwich for the day and do the elephant trail. Will find a link, hold on....

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:33

lol it's ok Shell - I've still got all mine!

How far is Norwich on the bus?

Could be something different

OP posts:
shelleylou · 14/07/2008 14:34

i think we got to norwich on the train to get there cant check as you have tickets. but we might be able to get the trian cheaply with railcard

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:35

oooo - of course - didn't think of that

OP posts:
MegBusset · 14/07/2008 14:36

There is a good fish and chip shop in Scratby, right by the caravan park iirc.

Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:36

Elephants

You can find all the elephants and take pics of the dc beside them. There is free trail map in most of the stations etc. There is a Dr Who one at the bus station in Norwich you press a button and the theme music plays. We are going to do it in the holidays

Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:38

I am assuming there is a direct bus, probably about 20/30 minutes depending on traffic. You can get the train but they get hideously packed at night during the holidays.

shelleylou · 14/07/2008 14:41

meg we've already decided we are having fish and chips on the seafront!

Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:43

There is a free firework display on the seafront every Saturday in the school holidays that is free. Don't know if any of the children would be too young/scared?

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:43

ooooo - goody fish and chips - might be on a tight budget but we've agreed Fish and Chips is a MUST do when we're there

Fimbo - just discovered we can get the train quite cheaply - think we'll be used to the hidesouly packed trains......we're getting there via train - on a Saturday

OP posts:
Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:45

Mini Car Club
20 July 2008 to 20 July 2008
The classic Mini Car club will be coming to Great Yarmouth Seafront. They will be parking at the American Diner from 10.30am

Free Fireworks Display
23 July 2008 to 23 July 2008
A fun filled evening with Radio Broadland at the Great Yarmouth Jetty, leading up to our Free Firework extravaganza at 10pm

Free Firework Display
30 July 2008 to 30 July 2008
A fun filled evening with Radio Broadland at the Great Yarmouth Jetty, leading up to our Free Firework extravaganza at 10pm

Master of the Sands
03 August 2008 to 03 August 2008
Our sand castle competition returns again for a fun filled day for all the family.
Great prizes up for grabs to the winners and runners up of Master of the Sands.
Just bring your bucket and spades and get building that masterpiece.

Free Firework Display
06 August 2008 to 06 August 2008
A fun filled evening with Radio Broadland at the Great Yarmouth Jetty, leading up to our Free Firework extravaganza at 10pm

Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:48

Sorry didn't mean to sound negative about the train - I took my two for a day out last summer in GY. We had to stand all the way to Norwich as they only put on 2 carriages.

Hope you all have a fab time. I think I will be in Scotland when you are here otherwise we could have had a MN meet up.

shelleylou · 14/07/2008 14:51

my ds wasnt bothered by fireworks took him too the bonfire display just before he was 1 and he thought it was great

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:51

Thanks Fimbo - no need to apologise -

As you're in Norwich - what could you suggest (other than the Elephant Trail) for us.

We'll be there 2nd-9th August.

OP posts:
Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 14:53

Think DS2 will get freaked out by the fireworks.......unless there was somewhere we could watch "from a distance" so to speak

And I must confess I'm not good - actually no I lie - I'm TERRIFIED - of fireworks - only took the DS's to the school firework display because DS1 wanted to go. Thankfully it was freezing cold so they thought me shivering was because I was cold.......didn't realised I Was terrified - I had a sore face at the end of the display from forcing a smile for so long........

OP posts:
Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:56

There is a big park in more or less the centre of town - Chapelfield Gardens it is called. Look for M & S & Debenhams and follow the road straight up, it is just past the Theatre Royal on the left hand side.

You could also walk along the river, which is close to the station.

Its a bit of a hike from the station to the centre of Norwich so you would need prams. Can you get a combined bus/rail ticket?

There is a lovely big library (also has Pizza Express in it), the whole building is called The Forum, they usually have story telling from about 2.30 on a Sunday but I am guessing there may be events during the school holidays too.

Fimbo · 14/07/2008 14:59

Bugs, Beasts & Birds
5th August, Norwich Cathedral Herb Garden, The Close; 1.00pm ? 4.00pm
Go on safari in your Cathedral! Find out about wildlife and investigate bugs, birds and beasts. Make your own creatures to take home from re-cycled materials. Take part in the Great Bug Hunt in the Cathedral Herb Garden with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust in the afternoon from 1pm-4pm.

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 15:00

We're taking the pushchairs anyhow - 3 changes of train just to get there (6 if you include coming back lol) plus they can both nap in them during the day if we're out and about

ShelleyLou will know about the combined bus/rail tickets (that's her responsbility )

OP posts:
Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 15:01

oooooo Fimbo - my DS2 would LOVE that - he's just been learning about mini beasts at school and is obsessed

OP posts:
Fimbo · 14/07/2008 15:03

You can get to the Cathedral quite easily from the station if you walk along the river - get someone to direct you.

I am doing school run now. I will add to this thread over the next day or two when I remember/see things.

ProfYaffle · 14/07/2008 15:17

Gorleston beach is nice, nothing in Gorleston itself though. There are a few things to do along the seafront, fab pirate ship climbing frame thing, pitch and putt, model boating lake and one or two cheap cafes.

Burgh Castle?

Original poster
FAQ · 14/07/2008 17:40

thanks Fimbo and ProfYaffle

OP posts: