The seaside resort town of Great Yarmouth, situated in the Norfolk region of England, was originally the site of the Roman fort of Gariannonum. Located at the mouth of the River Yare, it became a wealthy trading center of considerable importance. It rose to prominence as a major center for tourism when the railway reached it in 1844. Big skies, sweeping beaches, windswept marshes, meandering inland waterways and quaint flint houses combine to great effect in the Great Yarmouth area.
The market place, operating since the 13th century, is one of the largest in England. Museums, theaters, the Sea Life Centre, and the Norman-era Minster Church of St Nicholas, built in 1101, are amongst the many attractions. An historical highlight is the Lord Nelson monument, commemorating the achievements of Admiral Horatio Nelson. High atop the 144 ft (44 m) column stands the statue of Britannia, proudly standing on a globe inscribed with the motto from Nelson’s coat of arms and holding a trident and olive branch.