Old Hunstanton and Hunstanton are an adjoining town and village on the Norfolk coast. Known for being one of the few (or only) places on the east coast in England where the sun can be seen to set over the sea, the two places combine ancient heritage with traditional English seaside resort thrills.
Get in
[edit]By road
[edit]The A149 is an 85-mile-long coastal road that stretches from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth. The road runs directly around the border of the town, with the B1161 (or "Oasis Way") leading off into the centre. A scenic and enjoyable route, though difficult for HGVs at places.
It is also possible to reach Hunstanton by North Beach Rd from the neighbouring village of Heacham. However, be aware that this is a narrow gravel road with no markings and is prone to flooding in poor weather conditions.
By train
[edit]Although without a station of its own since 1969, Hunstanton is connected directly to King's Lynn railway station by numerous bus services, including the Norfolk Green 10/11 and Coasthopper.
By bicycle
[edit]Two long distance cycle paths both passing 2 miles S of town:
- National Cycle Route 1. (section called the Norfolk Coast Cycleway)
- 1 Peddars Way Cycle Route.
On foot
[edit]- Norfolk Coast Path. A long distance footpath running from the town to Sea Palling but also linking to the Peddlars Way long distance footpath
Get around
[edit]
Map of Hunstanton
The Hunstanton area is relatively small and therefore there is only really the need to walk. To get to other villages, the Coasthopper bus is recommended.
See
[edit]- 1 The Red & White cliffs. This famous, unique geological phenomenon that stretches from the new town into the old village beaches is a true 'postcard picture' place. Good for fossil hunters. Watch out for fulmars that nest in the cliffs.
- 2 St Edmund's Chapel ruins. The arch of this Norman chapel dating from 1272 is now all that remains, but it is still an intriguing historical site.
- 3 Old Hunstanton Lighthouse. A lighthouse only by name, as the actual beacon was removed in 1922, this building is unusual in appearance and lies on the border between the town and village.
- 4 Sea Life (Aquarium), Southern Promenade, Hunstanton, PE36 5BH, ☏ +44 1485 533576, [email protected]. M-F 10AM-4PM (last entry 3PM), Sa Su 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM). £15.60 (child under 3 free). Discounted for online ticket purchase..
Do
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- 1 Blackbeard's Adventure Crazy Golf, Southern Promenade, Hunstanton, PE36 5BH (beside Sea Life Centre), ☏ +44 1485 535737. Daily 9AM-7PM. 18-hole adventure golf. Picnics allowed. Snacks available. On-site restaurant. £20 per family..
- Rainbow Park is a funfair on Seagate Road.
- CHS Pier Amusements
- Norfolk Lavender.
- Princess Theatre & Cinema.
- Searles Sea Tours, ☏ +44 1485 534444, [email protected].
- 2 Hunstanton Watersports (Kite surfing & windsurfing lessons), North Promenade, Hunstanton, ☏ +44 1485 534455, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Sales and tuition. Also paddle boarding. RYA Approved training centre.
- 3 Heacham Manor Golf Club, Hunstanton Rd, Heacham, PE31 7JX, ☏ +44 1485 536030. 18-hole golf course.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Tesco (Superstore/Supermarket), Southend Rd, Hunstanton, PE36 5AR, ☏ +44 345 677 9370. M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station. ATMs. Wi-Fi. Cafe (shorter hours)
- 2 Sainsburys (Supermarket), 88 Westgate, Hunstanton, PE36 5EP, ☏ +44 1485 534438. M-Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 10AM-4PM. ATMs
- 3 The Norfolk Deli, 16 Greevegate, Hunstanton, PE36 6AA, ☏ +44 1485 535540, [email protected]. M-Sa 8:30AM-5PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Free delivery within 5 miles.
- Lots of gift shops and novelty shops around the town.
- 4 Boots Pharmacy, 19 High St, Hunstanton, PE36 5AB, ☏ +44 1485 532228. M-Sa 8:30AM-5PM, Su 10AM-3PM.
Cyclists
[edit]- 5 Fatbirds (Cycle shop), 12 Kings Lynn Road, Hunstanton, PE36 5HP, ☏ +44 1485 535875, [email protected]. M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM. Sales, accessories and repairs.
Eat
[edit]- 1 The Neptune Restaurant, 85 Old Hunstanton Rd, Old Hunstanton, PE36 6HZ, ☏ +44 1485 532122, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 7-9PM, Su noon-1:30PM & 7-9PM. Also accommodation.
- 2 The Northgate Indian Restaurant, 8-9 Northgate Precinct, Northgate, Hunstanton, PE36 6EA, ☏ +44 1485 535005. Daily 5-11PM.
- 3 Fishers of Hunstanton (Fish & Chip Restaurant & take-away), 2-4 Greevegate, Hunstanton, PE36 6BJ, ☏ +44 1485 532487.
- 4 Spice Garden (Indian Tandoori restaurant), 14 High St, Heacham, PE31 7ER, ☏ +44 1485 579 393. Daily 5-11:30PM.
- Old Town Beach is a seafood cafe on the beach a mile north of town, open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Salad Bowl Cafe & Ice Cream Parlour, Cliff Parade, Hunstanton, PE36 6DP, ☏ +44 1485 534768.
- 2 Honeystone (Pub, restaurant, B&B), 10 Southend Rd, Hunstanton, PE36 5AW, ☏ +44 1485 534463, [email protected].
- 3 Costa Coffee, 26 High St, Hunstanton, PE36 5AF. M-Sa 8AM-6PM, Su 9AM-5PM.
- 4 The Ancient Mariner Inn, Golf Course Rd, Old Hunstanton, PE36 6JJ, ☏ +44 1485 534411. Also food.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Caley Hall Hotel, Old Hunstanton Rd, Old Hunstanton, PE36 6HH, ☏ +44 1485 533486, [email protected]. AA 3-star hotel with 40 rooms. Dogs allowed (charged for). Free Wi-Fi.
- 2 Magazine Wood, Peddars Way, Sedgeford PE36 5LW, ☏ +44 1485 750740. Stylish B&B set in 3 acres of park and woodland looking over the coast. No children 1-17. B&B double £110.
- 3 The Lodge, Old Hunstanton Rd, Old Hunstanton, PE36 6HX, ☏ +44 1485 532896, [email protected]. 3*. Also restaurant and bar.
- 4 YHA Backpackers Hostel, 15 Avenue Road, Hunstanton, PE36 5BW, ☏ +44 345 371 9639, [email protected]. Check-in: 5-9:30PM, check-out: 8-10AM. Reception 8-10AM & 5-9:30PM
- 5 The Gate Lodge Guest House, 2 Westgate, Hunstanton, PE36 5AL, ☏ +44 1485 533549, [email protected]. Free Wi-Fi.
- 6 Cori House B&B, 9 Church St, Hunstanton, PE36 5HA, ☏ +44 1485 533034, [email protected]. Check-in: 4-10PM, check-out: 10:30AM. Min 2 night stays at weekends. Free Wi-Fi. £37.50-52.50 per person per night (discounts for stays over 3 nights)..
- 7 Rose & Crown, Old Church Rd, Snettisham PE31 7LX, ☏ +44 1485 541382. Characterful 14th-century pub with rooms, great dining. B&B double £120.
- 8 Lifeboat Inn, Ship Lane, Thornham PE36 6LT, ☏ +44 1485 512236. Charming 16th-century inn with rooms, good dining, and views across the salt marshes. B&B double £150.
- 9 Heacham House, 18 Staithe Road, Heacham PE31 7ED, ☏ +44 1485 579529. Smart comfy B&B with three rooms on the edge of the marshes. No children under 14 or dogs, no credit cards. B&B double £100.
Connect
[edit]As of July 2022, Hunstanton has 4G from all UK carriers, though with dead spots on its approach roads. 5G has not reached this area.
Stay healthy
[edit]- 1 Nearest Accident & Emergency: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET (17 miles to S). 24/7.
- 2 Hunstanton Medical Practice (GP or Primary Healthcare), Valentine Rd, Hunstanton, PE36 5DN, ☏ +44 1485 532 859. M 8AM-6:30PM, Tu 8AM-1PM & 2-6:30PM, W 8AM-6:30PM, Th 8AM-1PM & 2-6:30PM, F 8AM-6:30PM.
- 3 Hunstanton Dental Practice, 38 Northgate, Hunstanton, PE36 6DR, ☏ +44 1485 532486. M 9AM-1PM & 2-5PM, Tu 9AM-1PM & 2-5PM, W 8AM-3PM, Th 9AM-1PM & 2-5PM F 8AM-3PM.
- 4 Lincolnshire Co-op Pharmacy, 8 Valentine Rd, Hunstanton, PE36 5DN, ☏ +44 1485 532829. M-F 8:30AM-6PM (pharmacist normally at lunch 1-2PM, store remains open).
Go next
[edit]- Blakeney (Norfolk) to see seal colony and Cley Marshes nature reserve.
- Wells-next-the-Sea