Great Yarmouth - Golden Mile & Beach

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Great Yarmouth's Golden Mile and beach, with Explorers following a treasure map uncovered on Great Yarmouth beach, eliminating the red herrings and uncovering the hidden hoard of Captain Sidney 'Brave Buccaneer' Glynn.

The quest covers 2 miles and should take approximately 2.5 hours to complete. You'll start outside the entrance of Britannia Pier at the northern end of Marine Parade, follow the Golden Mile towards the Pleasure Beach, then retrace your steps back towards the town centre before continuing round and back along the Golden Mile to the start.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route is easy to follow along the Golden Mile and back, with no steep hills.

The route stays on this side of the main road before arriving at the Pleasure Beach, but take great care when crossing the various road junctions on the return journey. The route also crosses the road using a zebra crossing near the Pleasure Beach, and there may be horse and carriages nearby by a garden area.

The Pleasure Beach is closed during the winter season, so check before going.

Getting There

By car: Start your quest outside the entrance of Britannia Pier, at the northern end of Marine Parade (NR30 2EH). The recommended parking is North Drive long stay pay and display (NR30 1ED). Allow additional car parking time if you want to go to the Pleasure Beach.

By public transport: Make your way to the entrance of Britannia Pier at the northern end of Marine Parade to begin the treasure hunt. The circular route brings you back to the same area once Captain Sidney 'Brave Buccaneer' Glynn's hidden hoard has been tracked down.

Need the Loo?

There are numerous toilets along the route, all suitably signposted. Seasonal hours apply, so plan comfort stops with that in mind.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can join the adventure, with possible restrictions 🐾

Check any local beach or attraction rules if visiting paid attractions. The route includes the Golden Mile, road junctions, a zebra crossing near the Pleasure Beach and nearby horse and carriages by a garden area, so keep canine companions close around traffic, horses and busier seafront sections.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure hunting along the Golden Mile is hungry work, and there are plenty of refreshment stops along the way.

You can also pack supplies for a picnic on the beach - near Clue 14 is a great spot to pause before pressing on with the hunt.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Britannia Pier and the Britannia Theatre

Your quest begins by Britannia Pier, home to the Britannia Theatre. During the summer months, the theatre features well-known acts, including Jim Davidson, Jethro, Basil Brush, Cannon and Ball, Chubby Brown, Chuckle Brothers and The Searchers. It is one of a few 'end of the pier' theatres left in England, making it a classic seaside add-on for Explorers with time to linger.

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

The historic Pleasure Beach sits halfway along the route and is huge fun to explore for daring thrill-seekers. It has pay as you go rides, but it is a pay to enter attraction, and all visitors - riders and non-riders - need a valid entrance ticket. Rides are subject to height restrictions, and the Pleasure Beach is closed during the winter season.

The Historic Hippodrome

The Historic Hippodrome is Britain's only surviving TOTAL Circus Building, built in 1903 by the legendary Circus showman George Gilbert. Its circus floor sinks into rising water from below, fed by sprinklers at the edges, to give a dramatic finale to its shows - a suitably theatrical extra once the treasure map has been decoded.

Regent Road and Great Yarmouth's old resort buildings

Keep your Explorer eyes peeled as you look up along the route. You can still see how the buildings used to look before the glass-fronted amusement arcades took over, and many still show their original names from the bygone years.

Optional detour: Nelson's Column

From the Pleasure Beach entrance, you may be able to see Nelson's Column in the distance. This monument was built in memorial to Admiral Horatio Nelson, and it is a half-mile walk away in the middle of an industrial park.