California Sands is well placed for exploring Great Yarmouth, the Norfolk Broads and the nearby east coast. The following attractions and activities are generally within around an hour’s drive, although journey times can vary with traffic and seasonal congestion.

Very close by

• California and Scratby Beaches – Enjoy sandy beaches, coastal walks, dunes and sea views directly around the holiday park.

• Hemsby Beach – A traditional seaside destination with beach walks, amusements, cafés and family-friendly activities.

• Hirsty’s Family Fun Park, Hemsby – Outdoor family entertainment including mazes, crazy golf, play areas, trampolines and seasonal events.

• Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens – A popular wildlife attraction near Filby, with Asian animals, landscaped gardens, play areas and café facilities.

• Great Yarmouth seafront – Explore the Golden Mile, traditional amusements, shops, cafés and long sandy beaches.

• Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach – A classic amusement park with rides and attractions for children, teenagers and adults.

• SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth – An indoor aquarium featuring marine life and family-friendly exhibits, making it a useful option on rainy days.

• Britannia Pier – Visit the arcades, fairground attractions, food and drink venues, and seasonal theatre entertainment.

• Merrivale Model Village – A miniature village with garden railways, a penny arcade and mini-golf.

History and culture

• Time and Tide Museum, Great Yarmouth – Discover the town’s maritime and social history through reconstructed Victorian homes, historic displays and a 1950s wharf scene.

• Elizabethan House Museum – Explore a historic Great Yarmouth house with period furniture, artwork and costumes for children to try.

• Burgh Castle – Visit the remains of a Roman fort and enjoy views across the surrounding estuary and countryside.

• Great Yarmouth Market Place and historic quay – Browse local shops, cafés and historic streets around the town centre and South Quay.

• Caister Castle and Motor Museum – See the remains of a medieval castle alongside a large collection of classic and vintage cars.

• Beccles – Wander around this attractive riverside market town, browse independent shops and enjoy cafés overlooking the River Waveney.

Norfolk Broads

• The Broads National Park – Spend the day walking, cycling, birdwatching or exploring the waterways by boat. The Broads is known for its rivers, reedbeds, wildlife and wide open landscapes.

• Boat trips and day-boat hire – Hire a boat or join a guided tour from locations such as Wroxham, Horning, Stalham or the southern Broads. Boating is one of the area’s main attractions.

• Wroxham and Hoveton – Visit the main hub of the northern Broads, with boat hire, riverside cafés, shops and family attractions.

• BeWILDerwood – An outdoor adventure park near Hoveton with treehouses, bridges, zip wires, storytelling and woodland play areas.

• Wroxham Barns – A family attraction with farm animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, mini-golf, shops and places to eat.

• Bure Valley Railway – Take a narrow-gauge steam or diesel train between Wroxham and Aylsham through the Norfolk countryside.

• Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden – Explore woodland paths, gardens, wildlife areas and waterways, with boat trips available during part of the year.

• Museum of the Broads, Stalham – Learn about the history of the waterways and take a boat trip when operating.

• Horsey Gap and Horsey Beach – A good choice for coastal walks and, seasonally, viewing grey seals. Check local guidance before visiting and keep a safe distance from wildlife.

• Ranworth Broad and village – Enjoy nature walks, birdwatching and panoramic views across the Broads from the village area.

Coastal days out

• Gorleston-on-Sea – Visit the wide sandy beach, promenade, boating lake and family-friendly seafront, just south of Great Yarmouth.

• Lowestoft – Explore the beach, promenade, harbour and traditional seaside attractions in Suffolk.

• Cromer – Take a coastal day trip to enjoy the famous pier, sandy beach, independent shops and cliff-top walks.

• Winterton-on-Sea – Visit the quieter beach, dunes and coastal paths, with opportunities for walking and wildlife watching.

• Martham and Hickling Broad – Explore peaceful Broads villages, nature reserves, walking trails and waterways away from the busier seaside areas.

Gardens, wildlife and countryside

• Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Caldecott Hall – Meet rescued horses, ponies and donkeys at this family-friendly attraction.

• Pensthorpe Natural Park – A wildlife and wetland attraction with walking trails, birdwatching areas, gardens and children’s play features.

• Ranworth Broad Nature Reserve – A scenic place for birdwatching, gentle walks and experiencing the quieter side of the Broads.

• Blickling Estate – Visit the National Trust house, gardens, parkland and woodland walks. It is toward the edge of the one-hour range, so allow extra time during busy periods.

• Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve – A rewarding location for wildlife, walking and wide Broads landscapes.

Family-friendly rainy-day options

• SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth.

• Time and Tide Museum.

• Wroxham Miniature Worlds.

• Merrivale Model Village.

• Great Yarmouth’s arcades and indoor entertainment venues.

• Bowling, cinemas and leisure facilities in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.