Hippodrome

The Great Yarmouth Hippodrome is a circus building in the seaside town of Great Yarmouth. Built in 1903 by showman George Gilbert and designed by architect Ralph Scott Cockrill, it stands as one of only two permanent circuses in England and one of three worldwide with a sinking circus floor that becomes a pool. The structure is made of concrete with brick and terracotta facing, featuring an Art Nouveau facade with relief foliage patterns and a frieze of carved owls on the main cornice. The Jay family has owned the building since 1979 and continues to run Circus Spectaculars there four times a year. The Hippodrome is notable for its historic role in television and wrestling. In 1962, Billy Russell’s Hippodrome Circus was broadcast in a series of three BBC programmes introduced by Peter West, with Roberto Germains directing. It also hosted professional wrestling, including a 1980 taping by Jackie Pallo and a tragic match in 1987 where wrestler King Kong Kirk collapsed and died in front of 1,500 spectators. Visitors find a restored circus space with a sinking floor that fills with water for performances, surrounded by ornate brickwork and decorative carvings. The interior retains its original architectural details, including the Art Nouveau reliefs and owl frieze. The Jay family’s Circus Spectaculars bring seasonal shows with Jack Jay as ringmaster and Ben Jay managing operations. The building remains a working circus, blending historic charm with modern entertainment.