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Whether you are local or visiting Great Yarmouth from further afield, something to look out for is a show at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome. During the summer, you can expect to watch the Summer Circus & Water Spectacular.
About the Hippodrome Circus
Built in 1903 by circus showman George Gilbert, the Hippodrome is one of the only purpose-built circus buildings that still stands! Over the years, the building has been host to a number of amazing events and performers such as The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Julian Moscow State Circus, Chinese State Circus, Circus of Horrors and even BBC Question Time
The building was purchased by Peter Jay in 1979, who went on to restore the sinking floor in 1981. The Hippodrome is still in the Jay family, with Jack Jay as ringmaster!
Contact and address
St. Georges Road (behind the CIRCUS CIRCUS Amusement Arcade)
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR30 2EU
Box Office: 01493 738877
Email address: hippodromecircus@gmail.com
Website: https://hippodromecircus.com
Parking at the Hippodrome
The Great Yarmouth Hippodrome does not have parking facilities. However, there are plenty of public (paid) car parks, most of which are a short walk away.
Hippodrome shows
- Summer Circus and Water Spectacular
- Halloween Spooktacular
- Pirates Live!
- Christmas Circus and Water Spectacular
- Champions
Summer Circus & Water Spectacular
The Hippodrome has four different shows running throughout the year but during the summer months, it’s the Summer Circus & Water Spectacular! This is a real family-friendly show with something to entertain everyone.
The show is led by ringmaster Jack Jay with regular appearances from comedian Johnny Mac. The comedy is fun and harmless, with a few more grown-up jokes thrown in for the adults. This is a great way to break up the show and give the other acts a chance to set up.
Kicking things off was the Argentinian group, Revolution Gauchos. You may have seen the group on America’s Got Talent! Their energy was amazing and it was certainly an act to get the audience excited about what else was to come. I have to say, these were a personal favourite of mine.
A firm favourite with the audience was Roberto Carlos, who has just returned from an international tour with Cirque du Soliel! Carlos is a juggler but does so with a few different things such as balls, skittles and hats! Sadly, he didn’t pull off one of the tricks on the day of our visit but that’s the nature of this kind of show.
Although a lot of the acts are new/ different this year, it’s nice to see some familiar acts as well. The Motorbike Globe Riders were part of the last show we saw in 2021 and Erin was so excited to see them back again this year. How they fit 4 riders and bikes into that globe baffles me but I really love watching what they do.
The second half of the show is really where things get different though. This is one of the only stages in the world where the circus floor sinks and is replaced with a pool and water show. Regular circus acts are replaced with synchronised swimmers and aerial artists. It’s so exciting to see this change, especially for the first time. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen anywhere else and doubt I will either.
Meet the hosts!
After the show, Jack Jay and Johnny Mac were waiting in the foyer to take pictures with guests. Erin loves to have photos taken after shows we see and she was very excited to be able to do this. Jack and Johnny were also very patient when I seemed to take a lot of photos!
The Great Yarmouth Hippodrome is such a beautiful circus venue. It’s an amazing show for the whole family and the entertainment is world-class. We’ve only seen the Summer Circus & Water Spectacular so far but I can’t wait to see more shows at other times of the year.
Other places to visit in Great Yarmouth:
- Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
- Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
- Sea Life Great Yarmouth
- Time and Tide Museum
- Lost World Adventure Golf
- Lunch at Sara’s Tearooms
- Wellington Bowl
- Merrivale Model Village
- Hirsty’s Family Fun Park
For more day out ideas, go to the Visit Great Yarmouth website.
