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Great Yarmouth, Norfolk's largest port, has been a popular seaside resort for the past two centuries, but its maritime heritage - based largely on herring fishing - goes back some 900 years. Always bustling, prosperous more often than not, the town seems always to have enjoyed a good press.
In 1724 Daniel Defoe wrote that South Quay - now restored as a tree-lined riverside avenue - was the finest in England, 'if not Europe'. The Victorian novelist Charles Dickens went even further in describing Great Yarmouth as 'upon the whole the finest place in the universe'.
Today, Great Yarmouth is a major centre of the North Sea gas exploration and production industry. Flanked by more than 15 miles of sandy beaches, with 21 attractive villages in enchanting rural surroundings, and a gateway to the Norfolk Broads, the town is also the tourism focal point for East Norfolk.
There are two miles of sea front attractions in Great Yarmouth alone and activities ranging from a gentle trip in a traditional horse-drawn landau to the white-knuckle experiences of high-tech rides at the Pleasure Beach. There are indoor and outdoor things to do, museums to visit and a medieval town wall, a galaxy of entertainment, nightclubs and shopping galore.
There are further seaside attractions in Great Yarmouth's neighbouring resorts. To the north are Caister-on-Sea, California, Scratby, Newport, Hemsby and Winterton-on-Sea. To the south lie Gorleston-on-Sea and Hopton-on- Sea.
Inland, there are tranquil villages where a day's exploration of the countryside - whether on foot, cycle or by car - can come to a congenial end in a tea shop or pub.
