Great Yarmouth, London, Oxford and Tapas advice please!

hels234

Hi all,

Me and my friend are going for a quick road trip for a few days around Great Yarmouth, London and Oxford (we're travelling from the Midlands). We were wondering if you could recommend any "must sees" or "must do's" for these locations or en route? we're pretty open to suggestions! At the moment the only definates are:

• paddling in the sea at a coast (yes, we're mad:p)
• possibly visiting Castle Rising
• I have a national trust membership so also an option
• visiting the National History Museum (I want to see dinosaurs!)

we would also like to try a tapas bar in London/Oxford possibly for lunch? are there any you would recommend? we will be dressed smart/casual (jeans and a nice top) so no snobby bars please

Thanks for your help

mightyroyals

I live just outside Yarmouth and i would say there is not alot to see there other than the see and a lot of rundown streets. You have got the Golden mile along the seafront which has got the arcades and piers and crazy golf.
If not if you travel via Norwich you could goto Norwich Castle

deanos

Go to Southwould and the home made arcade machines on the Pier they are great , Southwould is very nice too as well as Aldeburgh

unsure

Have to agree that out of season Yarmouth could be a bit grizzly! Fair enough if you want to go to the Pleasure Beach but that's very weatrher dependent. If it's a walk on the beach you want there are nicer stretches of coast nearby....in addition to Southwold and Aldeburgh already mentioned I'd add Cromer, Wells Next the Sea, Blakeney, Holkham. Norwich has much more year-round appeal...and some decent tapas places. A Spanish friend recommends Torrero (Magdelen St, near to the Cathedral) and I've had good reports of Bar Tapas (Exchange St just by the market). I would avoid La Tasca like then plague...reheated microwasve fare for the uninitiated! Norwich has lots of good restaurants apart from the tapas ones and plenty to see and do.

Sagz_2

The 'must see' in Great Yarmouth is the Wax Works - I've never laughed so much in my life!

Best Indian in town is Planet Poppadom, on the sea front, really good food and excellent service.

And I agree that Southwold Pier is well worth a visit.

deanos

Sagz wrote: »

The 'must see' in Great Yarmouth is the Wax Works - I've never laughed so much in my life!

Best Indian in town is Planet Poppadom, on the sea front, really good food and excellent service.

And I agree that Southwold Pier is well worth a visit.

Never ever seen anyone go into the WaxWorks, seen some pics on the internet tho apparently its so bad its good !

giraffe69

If you want a tapas place in London I recommend El Parador which is in Eversholt St and right next to Mornington Cresecent Station.

schofield8883

also live in norfolk and would recommend you stay away from the wax works like the plague!! its awful! waste of money. Great Yarmouth closes a lot over the colder months and loads of shops arnt even open Pleasure Wood Hills isnt too far away and is a good laugh though bigger and better than Pleasure beach

deanos

There used to be 2 waxworks IIRC one on the corner opposite the pier what happened to that one ?

Rosierabbit

I agree that there isn't as much to do in Yarmouth at this time of year compared to in the height of the summer but its always fun to wander along the seafront eating chips and having a go in the arcade.

However, about 15 mins drive away in Hopton is Potters Leisure Resort and there is a restaurant there called The Black Rock Grill where you can cook delicious food at your table on a sizzling black slate. It looks like a really fun eating experience. I am going there next week for my birthday and know lots of people who have already been. It is quite expensive but If you join their club I believe its 2 for 1 on a Wed and Thurs. For a bit extra you can also watch the entertainment. http://www.theblackrockgrill.com/

Also in Yarmouth is greyhound racing which is a really fun night. I've been many times. They do meal deals in the restaurant there and the food is excellent quality. http://www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk/

As for tapas in London I'd recommend the "Bar Gansa" My family have been eating here for years and now we live in Suffolk we still go when we're in London http://www.bargansa.co.uk/

Its in Camden Town not far from the lock which is always a fun experience to have a look around.

Enjoy your trip!

lizzywig

I live in Oxford, tbh not much to do around here but perhaps that's because I live here! My Dad works for one of the colleges and they do regular tours http://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors_friends/visiting_the_university/tours_of_the_university_and_city/index.html, not sure if punting is still open but it's great fun. You could go to Oxford Castle http://www.oxfordcastle.com/ and there is a La Tasca (tapas) there too. I would actually recommend Pierre Victoire for food though, it's a French restaurant and they do some really good deals http://www.pierrevictoire.co.uk/. If you're looking to go shopping avoid Oxford centre, there are hardly any decent shops these days. You could go to Bicester Village http://www.bicestervillage.com/ which sells lots of discount clothes etc. You can get the S5 bus from outside the Randolph hotel in Oxford and it takes approx 30 mins.

This pub is my fave and this is the place that all visitors to Oxford should go http://www.thetroutoxford.co.uk/, it's a bit of a gastro pub and does cost a little bit more but it's sooooo worth it!!! It's right by the most beautiful waterfall and have peacocks walking around outside. You can get the number 6 bus there from next to the s5 stop and it takes approx 20 mins.