SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth

Walking into SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth, you're immediately confronted with that distinctive aquarium smell - part salt water, part chlorine, utterly nostalgic if you grew up visiting these places. It's your standard Sea Life setup: underwater tunnels where fish glide overhead, touch pools where kids can handle starfish and anemones, and the obligatory shark tank that never fails to draw a crowd.

The attraction sits right on Great Yarmouth's seafront, which means you get the beach practically on your doorstep. It's a solid afternoon activity, particularly if the Norfolk weather turns sketchy - about two to three hours does it properly without feeling rushed. Families with younger children get the most from it; school-age kids find it educational enough but won't necessarily be riveted for hours. Teenagers will likely want to move on quickly.

Admission isn't free, but prices are reasonable if you're staying in the area. The various Haven parks nearby - Seashore just 2.2 miles away, Caister-on-Sea and Hopton at 4.1 miles - all make this a convenient add-on to a week's caravan holiday. It's the sort of thing you do on a rainy Tuesday afternoon rather than plan your entire break around.

The real appeal is convenience rather than spectacle. It's not going to blow your mind, but it ticks a box. If you're basing yourself at one of the holiday parks and need to keep restless kids entertained for a few hours, it does the job without fuss.