Dian Naoweixiu

The economic downturn is striking a blow at many people’s holiday plans for 2012 but the adventurous can turn thrift into an advantage by taking holidays at home and discovering parts of Britain they might not otherwise ever see.

For anyone who wants a beachside summer holiday without leaving the UK, the Norfolk Beach area has plenty to offer and one of the best bases for exploring the region is Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth has traditionally been a pretty downmarket holiday destination, but all that is changing these days.  And now is the time to visit the area, as it begins the drastic changes necessary to transform itself into a modern holiday destination.  This means that there are plenty of great bargains to be had in the area.

If you’re looking for a family holiday in the Norfolk Coast area, one of the best options is a family-friendly resort such as the Richardsons Holiday Parks.  There are two of these, both just a few kilometres from Great Yarmouth and each within a couple of minutes' walk of the beautiful sandy beaches of this part of the Norfolk Coast.  Resorts like these take a lot of the painful planning out of a holiday: they provide everything you’re going to need for both you and your family and leave you free to plan interesting excursions throughout the area.

Great Yarmouth is renowned for its traditionally tacky holiday attractions, but that’s not to say they can’t be fun.  Here you can enjoy all the sideshows and carnival attractions which have always been a traditional feature of British summer holidays.  But that’s not all there is there, and the twenty one villages in the Great Yarmouth area each have their own charms and exploring these can be a great way to spend a holiday.

If you like walking and hiking, of course, Great Yarmouth is a great place to base yourself for exploring the Norfolk Broads.  It’s easy to spend days walking through the tranquillity of this famous national park.

The Richardsons Holiday Parks are an ideal jumping off point for all these excellent holiday attractions, and they have the special advantage of providing all your meals and other needs as well as supervised facilities to keep the kids busy all day.  You’ll be able to stay in a bungalow or a modern apartment and spend quiet days lazing around the pool or on the beach, whichever you prefer.

Whether you’re looking for a short weekend break or a long summer holiday, Great Yarmouth and the Norfolk Coast can offer everything you want.  And not, with the great regeneration happening in Great Yarmouth, you’ll be able to find excellent restaurants and sophisticated night spots as well.