It’s a dog’s life in Great Yarmouth
AS my two children and I put our bags into the boot of my parents’ car and buckled up in the back seats, dark brown eyes watched from the window. We were off to Parkdean Resorts’ Breydon Water Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth. My parents were towing their caravan, and I was booked to stay in one of the park’s dog-friendly caravans.
Those brown eyes belong to my spaniel Milo. He should have been coming along but my car was unexpectedly out of commission for the weekend. So he had to stay at home with my husband – and that’s how I ended up taking a dogfriendly holiday without a dog.
Undeterred, I discovered there’s plenty to keep both humans and man’s best friend busy. The park is 15 minutes’ drive from the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth, and close to the Norfolk Broads. There’s a gate offering access to Burgh Castle, one of the first places we explored as soon as we had settled into our three-bedroom accommodation which, as my teenage daughter was relieved to sniff out, did not smell of dog.
Truth be told, Burgh Castle isn’t a castle at all, rather a ‘Saxon Shore’ fort built in the late 3rd Century as part of the Roman network of coastal defences.
Dogs can roam the surrounding fields as long as they are kept on a lead.
As impressive as the stone monument was, watching the endless Norfolk sky turn amber as the sun went down over the River Waveney proved to be one of the most memorable parts of our stay – and, best of all, both the view and the fort were within a 15-minute walk of our cosy caravan.
So, with one dog-friendly activity ticked off, I needed to find out where else I could have taken Milo, had he have been with us.
I was in luck because Vikki-Marie Gager, the holiday sales manager at Breydon Water Holiday Park, was on hand to share her wealth of experience.
Owner of two dogs – Tink and Grace – she gave me the lowdown on all the best places to visit with a canine companion. She even offered to loan me one of her pooches.
Instead, I bought a toy dog from one of the souvenir shops along the promenade in Great Yarmouth and took it along to the places we visited, just for comedy value.
It soon became apparent I was staying at a park with masses of appeal for dog owners – there’s so much to see and do within the immediate area.
“We’re 100 per cent geared up for dog owners here,” said Vikki. “In this area alone, within a 10-minute drive in any direction you’ve got two beaches, the woods and the Roman ruins.”
Here are Vikki’s top four places for dog owners to visit while staying at Breydon Water Holiday Park.
HORSEY GAP
CATCH sight of the seals from November to March. Dogs must be kept on leads and the best place to view the seal pups is from the dunes.
Wardens patrol the area to keep both visitors and the seals safe. Wrap up warm – the wind whips at your face as it blows in off the North Sea – and don’t forget to take some change for the car park.
POPPYLANDS TEAROOMS
DOGS are welcome at a 1940s-themed cafe packed to the rafters with wartime memorabilia and serving rations like bread and butter pudding. We warmed up here after seeing the seals, with enormous mugs of whipped cream and marshmallow-laden hot chocolate.
SOUTH BEACH
IF you’re taking in the sights of the bustling resort of Great Yarmouth, you can explore the southern beach with your doggy companion all year round.
QUEEN’S HEAD, BURGH CASTLE THIS pub is a 15-minute walk from the holiday park and not only serves a mean Sunday roast but the chef will happily prepare a doggy dinner of sausage, veg and gravy.
WE stayed during the October half-term – the final hurrah of the season for most caravan parks – but the atmosphere was still lively.
We enjoyed the nightly entertainment, taking part in fun quizzes and boogieing to an 80s-themed show. We also dined at the Boathouse Bar and Restaurant where I was served one of the best chillis I have ever eaten. My children were equally impressed with their meals, with my six-year-old plumping for his perennial favourite: a hot dog (sorry Milo) with fries and my teenager going for the grilled chicken burger.
The only thing missing during our stay, was a canine companion, but we threw ourselves into the holiday as if Milo was there. At least I didn’t
Poppylands Tearoom need to stuff my pockets with poop sacks.
So, did Breydon Water Holiday Park tick this dog owner’s boxes, despite not actually taking a dog? Definitely.
The friendly park has plenty to offer guests but is uniquely geared up for those who have a four-legged friend with them.
All of the outdoor areas in the park, including the outdoor pool area, welcome well-behaved dogs on leads.
Also, if you need help finding a vet, a groomer, a dog-friendly beach (or pub), the reception team has a yellow binder behind the counter full of information.