The UK’s last-surviving Victorian glasshouse on a seaside promenade – Great Yarmouth’s historic Winter Gardens – is set to reopen to the public in 2027 following an ambitious multi-million-pound restoration.
The project aims to rejuvenate the Grade II listed building to its former glory, transforming it into a versatile space featuring indoor gardens, community areas, cafés, and venues for leisure, entertainment, and learning.
Originally constructed in Torquay in 1878, the Winter Gardens was relocated to Great Yarmouth in 1904. Over the years, it has served various purposes, including as a ballroom and a venue for exhibitions, becoming a cherished landmark in the town’s history before closing in 2008 due to safety reasons. The current restoration aims to revive its role as a vibrant ‘People’s Palace.’
Due to start this Spring, work on the restoration is supported by a £12.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and an additional £4 million from the Government’s Town Deal Fund. Sustainability is at the project’s core, with ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and heating via low-carbon sources. The designs have also garnered support from the team Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, whose Temperate House, is the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse structure.
The restoration of Great Yarmouth’s Winter Gardens not only aims to preserve a piece of Victorian heritage but underlines the destination’s significance as one of the UK’s culturally important seaside resorts. While visitors can expect new events and attractions annually – including a new state-of-the-art aquarium scheduled to open this spring at Sea Life – there are some historic favourites that continue to bring a sense of nostalgic joy.
These include, the Hippodrome, one of the last fixed circuses which was built in 1903 by the legendary circus showman George Gilbert. Also the Pleasure Beach, whose Scenic Railway is the only remaining wooden coaster of its kind in the UK. There’s also the historic Britannia Pier, Joyland fun park, the Venetian Waterways gardens and summer time Landau rides along the pier, which have been bringing joy to holidaymakers since early 1900s.
For the latest attractions, events and accommodation options www.visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk