History & Heritage

A landscape changed by the sea over the centuries

Discover the unexpected in Great Yarmouth, an area where the sea has had an incredible impact on life and landscape over the centuries.

Great Yarmouth has fascinating heritage to explore from almost every era and beautiful architecture to match. Roman ruins can be seen at Burgh Castle and Caister-on-Sea. Almost every village in the borough has a Medieval church and Great Yarmouth itself has the second most complete Medieval town wall in England with eleven out of the original 16 towers still standing.

Discover more about the area's maritime heritage and architecture from Row Houses to Smoke Houses which founded the town's herring industry - see our ideas for fascinating heritage days out.

With many museums in Great Yarmouth to explore, including the award winning Time and Tide museum, come and trace the fascinating Great Yarmouth heritage and history along the Medieval town wall to the Fishermen's Hospital via the old Tolhouse Gaol. Admiral Lord Nelson was a frequent visitor to the busy port, where wealthy merchants built their houses.

As you're walking around the resort, look up over shop and amusement façades and admire the history of Great Yarmouth with some stunning architecture, dating back hundreds of years, with ornate carvings and embellishments, architrave and decoration.

If you'd like to find out more, our guided heritage walks start in April and go through to the end of October and depart from various points around Great Yarmouth.

Heritage Open Days in the borough of Great Yarmouth will take place in September with more unusual and different buildings open and with tours available