Gorleston-on-Sea (Beach) — Attraction in Great Yarmouth

Really lovely beach. We visited with 2 little kids and had an amazing time! Easy (free) parking on the street running alongside the coastline, easy walk down to the beach. Miles of sand, a lot of it dry and comfy to sit on, then some sections of pebbles, and as the sea goes out, more lovely sand. The beach was clean, though we did find a few bits of litter to pick up on our way out. We were there on a hot sunny day in late July, and it wasn't overly busy, loads of space to spread out and play. We arrived at 10am, and parked easily, though I suspect we'd have been a street or so further back if arriving around midday or later. No dogs on the beach (it may be that they're allowed outside of summer though?), so its safe for kids to play without fear of stepping in anything, or being knocked down by racing dogs.

There's a lifeguard station, watching an area for swimming between flags, a splash pad (opens at 10am, kids loved it!), and a large pond for model boats. Adjacent to the beach, there are public toilets (near the Pier Hotel), and while a little smelly, they were fine for beachside public toilets. Outside these there are also 2 taps for rinsing feet etc. Overlooking the beach there is an arcade, an ice cream parlour (absolutely amazing!!) and a chip shop/cafe (chips were good).

We also visited 2 days prior when it was raining, and had lunch in the storm house cafe (food sensibly priced and decent, nothing fancy but an easy place to stop in). The rain stopped, and we wandered the beach, toddler throwing stones at the waves, and playing in the drier sand. We had the beach to ourselves as far as we could see!

I really don't think I can praise it enough, we had a great time and will be back! It's much more sedate than somewhere like Yarmouth, so if you're looking to avoid huge crowds and masses of people packed onto the beach, it's a superb...

A little sea must, but a long, wide, sandy and slight pebbly beach with a blue sky. Lots of bird life, nicely behaved dogs and walkers/children. Looked like some even picnicking on the sand. About 16 degrees Sunday, 24th February. A little cooler up on the harbour entrance walk, between the sea and the river. Nice watching fishers and walkers, bike riders. Saw some ships/tug and the tide changing, which was my favourite. Nice views from up higher there to over Nice old buildings. Spotted the old river lighthouse. A couple of hotels and pubs with easy access to beach 🏖. Cooler towards sundown so needed coat/hat but then it's only February. Couple of cafes never by. Clean apart from a little fishers rubbish on the walk. Walkway above beach and green is a lovely walk. Free parking on the road. Kids activities just across the greens, mini golf too. Quite busy and some people eating ice-creams in February looked nice enough. I heard the toilets were closed but it was getting nearly sun down. There were steps to the beach. Steepish slopes but nice paths and plenty of benches to sit on, along the way. Seemed like plenty of half-term visitors but lots of space for enough room as beach, etc, goes on for miles. Nice coastal views and differing architecture/Park views. Overall very pleasant. No vendors that close by the beach if you walk the long way up the beach, towards Lowestoft. Perhaps it's coast is about 7 or...

Living just south of Norwich we tend to head to Gorleston beach quite a bit as it is one of our favourites. Generally we park the Links Road end and walk down the lower promonade towards the pier. The beach or generally very good. My main criticism is the part of the beach where no dogs are allowed is relatively small given the size of the beach. As usual there are always dog owners who feel they don't have to clear up after their dogs so on the part where dogs are allowed you can't really let your children run to free with fear they will end up with dog poo on them. If walking the lower prom there is always a poo or too as well to watch for. In my book, children and dogs don't mix on beaches. Anyway that aside, the non dog beach is nice and sandy and pleasant in the summer to play on, or walking at other times. At the pier end you can do traditional sea side like chips, amusements etc. We like to have a treat every now and then and have lunch at the Cliff Hotel terrace which is always busy on a nice day and the food has been great plus they have a fenced in play area. Daughter likes the bouncy castle (in summer) though for £3 for 15 minutes it's a little pricy compared to some others we have tried else where, though this means it isn't highly busy. In the summer they have live bands playing on the bandstand on Sunday afternoons. There is also a paddling pool and boat sailing pool as well....