The best things to do in Southend & Norfolk this summer for under a fiver

THE Sun’s Hols from £9.50 are back.

For more than 30 years, we have been sending the nation on our fantastic breaks and this year it could be you.

5

Tens of millions of readers have enjoyed them, and hundreds of thousands will again this year.

We have tens of thousands of £9.50 hols with NO EXTRAS to pay and our midweek breaks also give you the very best deals and widest choice of hols.

HEAD to East Anglia for uncrowded beaches and unspoilt landscapes.

There are sandy stretches aplenty and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap eats.

5

FUN FOR UNDER A FIVER

Venture to the sandy Hemsby Beach in Norfolk and it’s hard not to spot Lost World Adventure Golf — a dinosaur-filled crazy golf course featuring massive velociraptors and a mighty Aztec temple.

A round of golf costs £4pp and there’s also a winding, man-made river where little ones can pan for gold (£3pp).

Ever taken a train ride over the ocean? Southend Pier juts out one and a quarter miles into the sea and features its very own railway that will transport you its entire length

Tickets cost from £14.70 per family of four (£3.68pp) and you can also get a Wildlife Watch leaflet for an extra £1 which challenges kids to spot the birds in the sky and creatures in the sea.

CHEAP EATS & DRINKS

When you are done at Southend Pier, take a seven-minute stroll to The Alex pub, which has an extensive drinks menu, plus bargain food, with three courses costing £13.95, including dishes such as Japanese-style karaage chicken, burrito bowls with all the fillings and classic burgers.

The seaside town of Cromer may be famous for its crab but The Bucket List (chipbuckets.com) has bargain food nailed. It essentially just does chips, but drizzled with a load of extras.

Buy a large portion for £3, then load it with sauces and toppings (from 75p extra), such as bacon scraps, smoked cheese, crispy onions and even specials such as curries.

If you are after some crab, the Crab Pot Cafe, set back from the seafront, does amazing picnic hampers. You need to call up at least 24 hours in advance and then you can collect your coolbag packed with crab sandwiches, quiches, pork pies or scones — for £4.40pp, everyone gets a roll or sandwich, crisps, brownie and a drink.

Heading to Ipswich? Biryani Hut (biryanihut.co.uk) has cracking curries from £5.99 or you can upgrade to a meal deal, which gets you any biryani or wrap, plus a samosa, side of curry sauce and drink for £9.99.

BARGAIN BEACH DAYS

Norfolk is home to some of the UK’s most famous beaches and Holkham really takes the crown (or bucket) with its endless gold sands backed by windswept dunes.

Nature lovers will be in their element too, with the pine trees and salt marshes attracting hordes of wildlife, plus there’s a national nature reserve right on the beach which is free to enter.

If you have stuck around the Southend area, then the Blue-Flag-winning Three Shells Beach is next to the pier and close to the soft-play areas, whirling rollercoasters and classic arcade games on Adventure Island.

The beach itself is perfect for families, with shallow lagoons that mean kids can go for a dip year round — and it’s dog-friendly too from October 1 to April 30.

AFFORDABLE ATTRACTIONS

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach in Norfolk is well worth the £15pp entry fee, with twirling rollercoasters, dodgems and even a version of Disneyland’s flying Dumbo ride, all overlooking the ocean. On top of rides, there is also a food court selling burgers, hot dogs and chips, a stick-of- rock shop and even an on-site pub.

Little tech heads will love Immersive Gamebox in Lakeside shopping centre, Essex, where they can play out their favourite video games in real life.

Your group will be given motion-detecting caps and placed in a private “box” with your selected game projected on to touchscreen walls — pick from a 3D version of Angry Birds, Shaun The Sheep- themed sporting games and even a Squid Game adventure.

Tickets cost from £11 per child and from £16 per adult (immersivegamebox.com).

5

5

5

FREE FOR ALL

The mighty Hanningfield Reservoir, between Billericay and Chelmsford, is teeming with nature and all the walking trails are completely buggy-friendly. Follow the Wind In The Willows sculpture trail and spot wooden figures of favourite characters, from the books, perched near the greenery.

Redwings in Aylsham (redwings.org.uk) is a rescue centre for horses, donkeys and mules — and it’s free to visit, although donations are welcomed.

The charity has helped more than 2,000 animals, and families can meet some of the sanctuary’s furry residents, learning all about their needs and what makes them so special. There’s an onsite cafe selling stone-baked pizzas, and lots of walking routes nearby too.