The Wellesley

The Wellesley sits right on Great Yarmouth's seafront, a proper sports venue that pulls in everything from tennis tournaments to athletics events depending on the season. It's the sort of place locals actually use rather than somewhere tourists accidentally stumble into, which is refreshing - you get the real deal here, not a sanitised version of sport designed for visitors.

The facilities are solid. You'll find indoor courts, outdoor pitches, and a generally no-nonsense approach to getting people active. Whether you're after a game of tennis, badminton, or just want to watch local competitions, it's functional rather than flashy. Parents with sporty kids will appreciate having an actual venue rather than dragging them to theme parks for the hundredth time.

Timing-wise, check what events are on before you go - it's not the sort of place with constant tourist attractions, more a working sports centre. Opening hours and admission fees vary depending on what's happening, so ring ahead if you've got something specific in mind.

From Haven Seashore Holiday Park it's barely a mile's walk into town, which makes The Wellesley handy if you're staying nearby and fancy something different from the usual holiday park entertainment. It's genuine Norfolk rather than tourist fluff, and if your family actually enjoys sport rather than just tolerating it, this beats sitting through another tired beach show.