THE UK’s ‘Golden Mile’ is getting a major revamp and now it has been named as the home of the country’s best pier.
Great Yarmouth’s Britannia Pier has been named the Pier of the Year.
In the annual National Piers Society’s (NPS) competition, the pier beat 62 other seaside piers around the UK.
According to the BBC, NPS chairman Tim Wardley said: “Huge congratulations to the worthiest of winners who have shown that in challenging economic times, investment is still the way forward to success.”
The pier’s co-owner Joseph Abbott also added: “We feel this is a huge testament to us as new owners for the work, time and investment we have put in since our takeover in December 2022.”
The pier, which recently underwent a £2.2million revamp, was originally built in 1858 as one of the original Victorian timber-framed piers in the UK.
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Over the years, the Britannia Pier on the Norfolk coast has undergone a number of transformations including being destroyed and rebuilt after a fire in 1958.
Thanks to the recent £2.2million revamp the pier has several new features including an upgraded amusement arcade, entrance and the end-of-pier Britannia Pier Theatre – which is one of only five remaining in the UK.
And there are new food stalls and rides too.
Current owners, who bought the pier back in 2022, are keen to make the pier “a must-visit attraction for holidaymakers and the community to enjoy year-round – with a strong line-up of acts, events, shows and family-friendly activities”.
The pier isn’t the only destination in the seaside town to see a change.
Over the coming years, Great Yarmouth will undergo an extensive £40million glow-up.
There will be several projects taking place including opening the 19th century Maritime House and the Iron Duke art deco pub.
The Maritime House, which can be found on the seafront, has been abandoned for five years now.
It was originally a safe house for sailors who became shipwrecked nearby but has seen a number of different uses over the years including being a museum and a tourist information centre.
When it finally reopens, which is expected to be this spring, it will house a cafe and a number of flats.
Our favourite UK seaside towns
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Sidmouth, Devon
Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire
With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland
This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
The Iron Duke pub which closed back in 2007, will also reopen this year following a £2.4million renovation.
The Victorian Winter Gardens will get a major makeover as well, set to cost £18million.
The Grade-II listed landmark is the UK’s last surviving Victorian seaside cast iron and glass winter gardens and will reopen next year as the ‘People’s Palace’ and include indoor gardens, cafes and entertainment venues.
The final project will involve a £20million transformation of the North Quay, which is expected to take a few years.
Eventually the area will include shops, homes and leisure venues, such as a ‘Leisure Box’ which will include a multi-screen cinema and 120-room hotel.
If you are visiting the seaside town, make sure to visit the beach which is often dubbed ‘the Golden Mile’.
One recent visitor said in a review on Google: “First time at Great Yarmouth and we loved it!
“Really clean, lots of places to eat from, lots of attractions for the kids.
“Will definitely be coming again.”
Another visitor said in a review on Google: “Place looks like Miami and is perfect for beach and casinos.”
For somewhere to stay, you could head to Parkdean Resorts Vauxhall Holiday Park that has a number of new attractions and family activities.
And you can stay there with The Sun’s Hols from £9.50, as there’s still breaks available for this year.
In other seaside news, here are Britain’s hidden seaside holiday towns where you can dodge sky-high prices and book stunning breaks from just £49.
Plus, here are seven great UK seaside towns with beachfront theme parks – and you can stay with Hols from £9.50.