Connecting residents with Great Yarmouth’s rich history
At The Shoebox, we’re passionate about local history and its power to bring people together through shared experiences. Thanks to funding from Great Yarmouth Borough Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, we had the opportunity to bring history to life for the local community through a short but exciting project.
From February 3rd to February 28th, we hosted a series of engaging sessions, tours, and experiences designed to connect residents with Great Yarmouth’s rich cultural heritage. Here’s how we made history more accessible, interactive, and fun!
The Timeline History Group
History is about stories, and our new Timeline History Group provided a welcoming space for residents to share theirs. Held at The Shoebox Hut on Tolhouse Street, these sessions encouraged locals to discuss their experiences of Great Yarmouth’s past while learning from each other. Supported by our Community Kickstarter Hari and experienced Tour guide Holly, these sessions were a joy to host, with attendees contributing their stories and even inspiring the creation of our new Reminiscence Boards, which are now proudly on display in The Shoebox Hut.
We’re thrilled that one of our attendees has even stepped forward to volunteer in future sessions!
Exploring cultural spaces
We love giving people the chance to explore local history in new ways. That’s why we organised free and subsidised trips to some of the most fascinating historical sites in the area:
- The Lydia Eva Boat Tour (Feb 13th) – We took a group aboard the last surviving steam-powered herring drifter to discover its incredible maritime history. Shoebox made a donation on behalf of attendees, and we followed up the tour with refreshments and great conversation back at The Shoebox Hut.
- Anna Sewell House Tour (Feb 19th) – Residents stepped into the birthplace of Black Beauty author Anna Sewell, learning about her life and legacy in this charming local landmark.
- Tolhouse Gaol Visit (Feb 21st) – A rare opportunity to explore one of the country’s oldest prisons at half price, with 24 residents getting a glimpse into the town’s darker past.
- Virtual ‘Hidden Street’ Tour (Feb 28th) – We offered a digital look at the remains of the historic medieval street hidden beneath our Norwich Community Hub. Although we didn’t receive enough bookings for this session to go ahead, interest was high, and we hope to reschedule it in the future.
Bespoke walking tours – history on foot!
We also hosted two free guided walking tours, tailored to highlight the rich stories of Great Yarmouth:
- February 25th – A deep dive into 1,500 years of Great Yarmouth’s history, covering its rise as a major fishing hub and the changes it has seen over the centuries.
- February 28th – A fun and informative walk along the seafront, exploring how Victorians spent their summers compared to today’s seaside entertainment.
Building community & future opportunities
This project wasn’t just about exploring history – it was about making connections. Through our events, we’ve strengthened community connections and relationships with local heritage sites, gathered invaluable community stories, and identified new opportunities to expand our tours and experiences. The insights we’ve gained will help us shape future projects, and we have some exciting ideas to offer more fun ways to explore Great Yarmouth’s rich history remains an accessible and engaging part of life in Great Yarmouth.
We’re grateful to Great Yarmouth Borough Council for making this project possible, and to every resident who joined us in rediscovering the past. Keep an eye out for more exciting history-themed activities coming soon from The Shoebox!
Want to get involved? Join our Shoebox community and receive updates on future tours and community projects.