Gorleston Pavilion Theatre – A Tour of Stagecraft & Structure
Pier Gardens, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6PP
Step inside one of East Anglia’s last remaining Edwardian seaside theatres and discover the stories built into its walls. This hour-long guided tour takes you through front-of-house spaces, onto the stage, and behind the scenes, sharing how the Pavilion has evolved over its 124-year history.
You’ll hear how the theatre was originally constructed in 1901, and the role it played during wartime, civic events, and changing eras of entertainment. We’ll spotlight architectural details from decorative plasterwork and proscenium arch to dressing room quirks and original fixtures, showing how form and function have always intertwined in a working performance space.
New for 2025, the tour includes an informal mini trail of architectural highlights with printed materials to take away, helping you spot the theatre’s Edwardian features and understand how it was built to impress.
Tours are led by the theatre’s current custodians, who will also touch on the challenges and triumphs of preserving a heritage venue in the 21st century.
Access: The building’s main public areas are on one level, but some parts of the tour (including the stage and certain backstage areas) involve steps and may not be fully accessible. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss specific needs.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 1pm
- Sunday 14 September:
- 11am & 1pm
- Monday 15 September:
- 12pm
- Wednesday 17 September:
- 12pm
- Thursday 18 September:
- 2pm
- Friday 19 September:
- 11am & 1pm
- Saturday 20 September:
- 1pm
Location & directions
Pier Gardens, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6PP
- Directions:
- Gorleston Pavilion Theatre is located on the seafront directly opposite the Pier Gardens and the bandstand. Look out for our Edwardian frontage with green domes and red brickwork. There is plenty of free parking outside the theatre, but at busy times the nearest car parks is Gorleston Pier Car Park (2 minutes walk). There are regular bus services from Great Yarmouth, with stops on Marine Parade at the top of the cliffs (step access only to the bottom of the cliffs). Please allow time for parking during busy weekends. Our box office and foyer entrance are fully accessible from street level.
- Contact on day:
- Alex Youngs
- Telephone number:
- +447708385934
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Please book a free space on the tour through our website or by calling/visiting our Box Office, which is open 7 days a week from 10am-3pm.
- Booking telephone number:
- +441493662832
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.pavtheatre.com/hods
- Booking opens:
- 03 Jun 2025 10:00 AM
Accessibility details
The theatre is all on one level, however we will be visiting parts of the building that have steps or stairs and that do not have a lift or accessible alternative.
Additional information
The Gorleston Pavilion Trust is a charitable organisation and relies solely on donations and bums-on-seats to operate, so whilst the tours are completely free to attend we always appreciate donations, though there is no pressure or expectation to do so!
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
