A leading historian has compiled a list of landmark seaside buildings – and handpicked Great Yarmouth's historic Hippodrome to be on it.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Three Doors balancing on giant globes at Yarmouth Hippodrome. Date: 1971The Three Doors balancing on giant globes at Yarmouth Hippodrome. Date: 1971 (Image: Archant)

The Hippodrome dates back to 1903 and is the only remaining purpose-built circus still standing in the UK. Historian Allan Brodie included it in a list of attractions which, he believes, sum up the best of the English seaside.

It is hoped the list will help Historic England, previously known as English Heritage, encourage more people to visit seaside resorts. Speaking to the Independent on Sunday, Mr Brodie, Historic England's senior investigator, said reinvention was vital to regeneration.

'Seaside resorts have been reinventing themselves quite successfully,' he said. 'The seaside pier is still a great place to walk, as it always has been, but they are now adding on other things, such as cafés, art galleries and new forms of entertainment.'

Lady Penelope Cobham, chairman of VisitEngland, has said seaside resorts must reinvent themselves to survive. Her thoughts chime with tourism bosses and council chiefs on the east coast. Just last week Great Yarmouth Borough Council's chief executive unveiled a 10-page report to guide the future of the council – in which he placed heritage tourism high on the list, saying the borough needed to make the most of its rich history to attract new visitors and high quality attractions.

Alongside the Hippodrome on Historic England's list are the Royal Pavilion, Brighton; Blackpool Tower; Southend Pier; the Scenic railway at Dreamland, Margate; the Grand Hotel, Scarborough; and the Saltdean Lido, Brighton and Hove.

What do you think? Email lauren.rogers@archant.co.uk