Great Yarmouth

The seaside air hits you the moment you step off the train - proper briny stuff that gets right into your lungs. Great Yarmouth might not win any beauty contests these days, but there's something gloriously unapologetic about this Norfolk resort town that's been welcoming holidaymakers since Victorian times.

The Golden Mile stretches along the seafront, packed with amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, and those slightly tatty attractions that somehow feel essential to a proper British seaside experience. Don't expect sophisticated charm - this is honest, working-class fun. The Miniature village offers a delightfully peculiar distraction, while Blitz and Pieces museum tells the town's wartime story with genuine local pride.

Beyond the immediate resort sprawl, the Norfolk countryside opens up beautifully. Villages like Ormesby St Margaret and Scratby each sport their own village signs - those distinctly Norfolk artworks worth seeking out. St Michael Church in Ormesby provides a peaceful counterpoint to the seafront bustle. The Edgar Tennant nature reserve offers proper walking territory if you need to escape the crowds.

Transport links are decent enough - the train runs direct from Norwich, taking about half an hour. By car, you're looking at the A47 bringing you straight in from the west. The town makes a reasonable base for exploring the broader Norfolk Broads region, though you'll want to venture inland for the real countryside magic.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks actually makes perfect sense here. Places like California Cliffs or Caister-on-Sea put you close enough to walk into town for evening entertainment, while keeping you away from the seafront's late-night revelry. The Broads are within easy reach too - proper sailing and wildlife territory that feels worlds away from the arcade lights.