UK seaside town gets £1.8million facelift for summer including new arcade

There's nothing quite like a trip to the British seaside; the sandy beaches, the pretty promenades, the fish and chip shops. But this summer there'll be an extra boost for families heading to one popular hotspot.

That's because Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been given a £1.8million facelift in the form of its Britannia Pier. The seaside icon has received a huge makeover complete with a new amusement arcade and facade, in a move that aims to be "returning it to its former glory".

Originally built in 1858, the Victorian timber pier has undergone several transformations (including being rebuilt and destroyed by a fire) and was reconstructed in 1958. Now it's been restored to be "bright, shiny and back to its former heyday" in time for the summer holidays. There is a second phase of work expected to start later this year, including new food stalls and cabins, but this won't be until October when the peak summer season has passed.

There's plenty on offer for holidaymakers whether they're planning to tuck into snacks from food stalls, have a go on the family-friendly fairground rides, or relax at one of the bars to be found in the area. You can find out more about exactly what's on offer this summer on britannia-pier.co.uk.

Then of course when you've had enough fun at the pier, the town offers miles of golden sands and swim-friendly waters that rival European hotspots, as well as a bustling promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops.

It's not the only exciting development in the popular seaside resort. Just recently, SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth opened its doors to a brand new £1million aquarium display, complete with over 30 marine species including blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, tangs, and angelfish.

Still, the biggest highlight though has to be the 250,000-litre Ocean Tank and Tunnel where you can walk right under the fish and sea creatures, or keep an eye out for the impressive shipwreck habitat in the waters! In fact, this was inspired by HMS Gloucester, a royal warship which sank off the Norfolk coast in 1682. The shipwreck itself was discovered by two divers in 2007, but it wasn't until 2021 that the full public reveal was announced.

For those who like to get up close to the sea creatures, the new aquarium will also feature specially created immersive viewing windows from which you can look out for the various marine life.

Being such a popular destination in the summer months, it's worth noting that Great Yarmouth can get quite busy. Still, for those who are visiting there will be a series of fun events on across the holidays. Highlights include a Wheels Festival across June 21-22, the annual free fireworks on the Golden Mile on Wednesdays from July 23 to August 27, and fireworks displays every Tuesday near Hemsby Beach from July 23. You can find out more at visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk.

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