Photographs documenting the South Denes in 2007

These pics bring back a lot of memories for me. I remember when there were caravans all on South Denes many years ago. I was about 12 years old when I first came to Yarmouth. I'm now 68 ,and still love the place and still come as often as I can. I was there this year 2008.

These photos are great to see. I used to holiday every year at the South Denes site, with my parents, which would be about 37 years ago.

caravans
By Peter Smith
Are there any films out there of south denes in the 60/s 70/s? Like most of you on here they where great times. Getting my comics from the little paper shop, the chip shop,the smell of those gas lanterns, getting water from the standpipe, the shower blocks, the blue bus into town,the joke shop in Regent Road, a walk to the harbour in the morning.... Anyone remember the cafe there...going to sleep listening to the sea? I'm 48 now but can remember those fantastic holidays, 2 weeks every year ,best holidays ever!

This page was added by Peter Smith on 19/07/2008.

The best caravan site in Yarmouth, such a shame it is now disused, would be a good area for camping.

I certainly remember listening to the sea at nights in my bed, we took holidays here at least 3 times a year from when I was born in 1972 until the camp closed .

I have very fond memories indeed, although I do remember how unfriednly the people who worked in the camp shop near the camp office were. Not the chap who ran the other one he was very friendly and helpful.

After 36 years I am still trying to discover what the 2 concrete objects in the sea are at South Denes any ideas?

Please e mail me at phlppip@aol.com

Dear Philip
I have been coming to this great town since I was a baby in 1968 and to this day (like you) I am still wondering what those concrete objects are? I always see them as I ride the roller coaster on the pleasure beach with my kids!!! (perhaps I should kerb my embarresment and ask).

FANTASTIC PHOTOS, EVERY YEAR WE WENT TO SOUTH DENES AND HAD TWO WEEKS HOLIDAY EVERY YEAR, GRANDMAS GRANDADS UNCLES ALL THEIR FANTASTIC PLACE!!
WHAT A SHAME ITS GONE TO WASTE, BIKE RIDING, WALK DOWN MIDDLE TO PLEASURE BEACH.
WATCHING THE TWO FLASHING BLOCKS OUT AT SEA AT NIGHT.
OH MEMORIES MEMORIES.

If I knew who to ask I would, I emailed the tourist info office, and recieved no reply.

I'm still searching the net for any films of south denes 60/s -70/s so far no luck .

There is a video (and some images) of Great Yarmouth in 1974, including the Scenic Railway, Piers, North Beach B&Bs etc. and the South Beach Caravan Site with South Denes beach area which may be useful to you.

If you go to britishpathe.com and search for Great Yarmouth you should find it there (second page I think). Have fun.

This brings back memories - such a pity to see it all run down now.
All the first class shops in Regent Road have gone - some of the new ones  make Poundland look good!
It was sad to see the old Windmill Theatre as a run-down disco - how proud that used to stand!  However, the Snails are still there in Joyland!

I came on holiday every year from 1964 to 1983 staying on South Denes in 1984 I moved from Hull to live in Gt Yarmouth, in 1990 due to a relationship break up I moved back north. Since 1990 I/we have visited at least 5 times/ year. For the past 2 years we have been saving to relocate to Gorleston in 2010 once my daughters have gone to University, my two young boys love the seaside and are always talking about it. At last I am on my way back "home"

good luck Gary.I love the place too.If not for large family I would maybe move to Great Yrmouth..

i was brought up with three generations of my family letting caravans on the South Denes.so we moved on there June to Sept every year to be on site . My father ran the gas van and my uncle was maintenance to the concrete blocks had a path from the beach running to them and when the tide went right out which didnt happen very often the old iron railing stumps were still there beneath the sea which were quite dangerous. I have many old photos of both my childhood and my mothers childhood on the camp and will sort the out and put them on the web if anyone is interested.

Been again this year (2009). It draws me like a magnet .lol.I love it.

lol..just been again for another week,,5th-12th september.had a great week ,weather was great.

Ii used to love the hoildays at South Denes back in the 1960s. Shame it's all gone.

Hopefully ,coming again in AUGUST for 1 week.

Great pics. still looking for movie footage of Great Yarmouth in 1960's - 1980's no luck yet. Remember those blue buses?

We also used to holiday there in the 60s, stayed at the Tent site. Anyone remember that one? I believe the concrete blocks you are referring to are markers for the Power Station outfall pipe for the cooling water right back from when the Oil fired station was there.

Went again on 14 to 21 august 2010, going again soon,for another week...lol

Took Grandchildren on August 14th to the 21st. Me and the wife went on our own from the 11th to the 18th September. Bit quieter but very nice.

A.Jones

we're coming again this year 2011 , July 3rd to 8th , we just can't keep away..lol . we will enjoy our holiday anyway. we still look forward to going to Great Yarmouth after all these years.

Fantastic photos - we spent a week in August in Great Yarmouth all through my childhood - earliest memories are mid 70's of South Denes - wish I had some photos of the site, and the shop, the bingo/amusements - later with the little track outside, etc. Great times - would love to go back ...