Boating Pond

The water here is calm, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think - a proper relief if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks around Great Yarmouth. Boating Pond is exactly what it says: a modest stretch of water where you can hire a small boat and potter about for an hour or so, watching the light catch the surface and maybe spotting a few waterfowl.

It's the sort of attraction that works best for families with younger children who fancy something low-key between beach days. The actual boating is straightforward - nothing complicated, just gentle paddling. Older kids might find an hour is enough before restlessness sets in, though if you've got someone keen on wildlife, the birdlife around the margins makes it worth lingering.

The whole experience has a wonderfully unpretentious feel. No queues, no fuss, no corporate sheen. You won't find much in the way of facilities, so bring drinks and snacks if you're planning to stay a while. It's free to access, though boat hire will cost you - expect to pay a modest fee, probably a few quid per person for the hire itself.

If you're based at Haven Hopton Holiday Village just down the road, this breaks up the week nicely without requiring a long drive. Pair it with a wander around Great Yarmouth's seafront, which sits close by, and you've got a decent half-day sorted. Summer weekends draw more visitors, so aim for a weekday morning if you want the place mostly to yourself.