A Profile of Hunstanton, Norfolk

Hunstanton is a beautiful place to stay

Hunstanton, located on the north Norfolk coast, is a beautiful seaside town with many local attractions, offering a fantastic place to stay.

Hunstanton won the 2008 and 2009 Quality Coast Award

Hunstanton is the only east coast seaside town in the UK where the sun can be seen to set over the sea.

Hunstanton is well known for its fossiliferous "red chalk" cliffs and popular for sailing and kitesurfing.

Hunstanton, Norfolk

The Red Cliffs At Hunstanton

(Photo: The sea cliffs at Hunstanton, Norfolk UK. The white layer is chalk, the red layer is sandstone. - Photograph © Andrew Dunn, 18 February 2006.)

The History of Hunstanton

Hunstanton's history goes all the way back to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, seeing an Anglo-Saxon settlement and local activity by the Iceni and the Romans.

The ruins of St Edmunds Chapel lie in Hunstanton and date back to 1270. Named after the first patron saint of England, Edmund was crowned the king of East Anglia in 856 AD, having landed at Hunstanton as a young 14 year-old Saxon on Christmas Day in 855 AD.

In 1845 Henry Styleman Le Strange began efforts to develop a coastal holiday village on an undeveloped part of his estate. The first building to be erected was the New Inn, now the Golden Lion, which became locally known as "Le Strange's Folly".

Le Strange designed several buildings around Hunstanton including The Bays Guest House and planned parts of the town.

The investment boom of the 1850s to 1870s spurred on expansion under the direction of Hamon Le Strange, Henry's son. The construction of the Kings Lynn to Hunstanton Railway, opening in 1862 - the same year Henry Le Strange died, assured a steady stream of holidaymakers and visitors.

The pier was built in 1870 but was destroyed by storms in 1978.

Reference 2 3

John Betjeman - Kings Lynn to Hunstanton

Accommodation in Hunstanton

The Bays Guest House

31 Avenue Road
Hunstanton
Norfolk
PE36 5BW

Tel: 01485 532079

The Bays Guest House

Hunstanton offers a choice of places to stay.

If you are looking for a bed and breakfast in Hunstanton then look no further than The Bays Guest House.

The Bays is a Five Star Gold Award guest house in Hunstanton providing a luxurious and welcoming stay. It's Five Star Award was recently renewed by Visit England.

Owners Anna and Jane ensure that their guests have a truly enjoyable and memorable stay in Hunstanton by living up to their 5 stars, making it the best B&B in Hunstanton.

Every room has Freeview television, DVD player, wireless internet and a fridge in addition to the usual tea and coffee tray.

Enjoy a memorable breakfast with a choice of home-made jams and 17 different breads as well as fresh local sausages and bacon.

For other places to stay, please see the Hunstanton Bed & Breakfast Directory.

Things to do in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Stay in Hunstanton for easy access to Norfolk

Looking for things to do in Norfolk? Hunstanton provides an ideal base to see Norfolk. Several stately homes, mazes, railways and castles as well as sailing and other attraction make for a great family break.

Norfolk Lavender: Norfolk Lavender, England's premier lavender farm offers,plants, soaps, gifts online, essential oils for aromatherapy, scented candles, home fragrance, body and bath products. The herb garden, DISTILLERY, TEAROOM and garden centre complete the visitor experience.
Sandringham Estate: The Norfolk retreat of HM The Queen.
Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary: The Hunstanton SEA LIFE Sanctuary, Hunstanton, NORFOLK
Grime's Graves - prehistoric flint mine: Grime's Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain.
Searles Sea Tours: Enjoy a trip out to see the seals on the Wash Monster from Hunstanton.
Dinosaur Adventure Park: Dinosaur Adventure Park an award winning family day out full of discovery, adventure and fun. Awarded Norfolk's Top family Attraction.
Offering a fun-packed day of thrills and spills for children of all ages, there's something for every member of the family. As well as confronting our impressive dinosaurs, you can take part in a Scavenger Hunt, Track T-Rex, ride on our Raptor Racers, dig for fossils and follow the Dinosaur Trail and that's just for starters. You can also get a bite to eat at Dippy's Diner and visit our superb Gift Shop.
The Muckleburgh Collection - UK's largest privately owned working Military Museum: The Muckleburgh Collection, the UK's largest privately owned working Military Collection with 16 Tanks all in working order. Why not come and visit us by landing at our Airstrip, there's so much to see!
Sandringham Flower Show Online: Sandringham Flower Show is one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the East of England. In 2009 it celebrated its 128th year, making it much more than just a Flower Show. It is a unique event offering both the best in horticulture and a fantastic day of family entertainment.

Set in the magnificent surroundings of Sandringham Park with Sandringham House and Sandringham Church as a backdrop, this one-day Show attracts around 20,000 visitors each year. From the beginning the Show has been privileged to enjoy Royal patronage and traditionally our Royal Patron attends the Show.
Anglia Karting Centre: Come and enjoy a terrific all weather adventure for all the family on Anglia Karting Centre's race track. We can guarantee you a fast and exciting time!
Beers of Europe: Beers of Europe -Specialist beer shop, with more than 250 different beers on display, also available online.
Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History: The Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History is the only surviving town gasworks in England and Wales, complete with all equipment used for the manufacture of gas from coal: retorts, condenser, purifiers, meter, gasholder.

Sailing & Watersports

Lost Boys Kiteboarding: Lost Boys Kiteboarding is a specialist kitesurfing school based in Hunstanton, Norfolk, East Anglia, UK.
Hunstanton Ski Club: Hunstanton Ski Club is the one of the premier boating and personal water craft clubs in the East of the United Kingdom.
Hunstanton Sailing Club: Home page of Hunstanton Sailing Club / dinghy sailing / windsurfing / kitesurfing / yacht sailing / cruising / norfolk.
Hunstanton Kitesurfing School: Kitesurfing lessons Hunstanton, Norfolk available from the BKSA registered Hunstanton Kitesurfing School

Castles, Stately Homes and Historic Buildings

Holkham Hall and Estate - North Norfolk, England: 18th century country house and grounds, built in the 1750s by Thomas Coke the 1st Earl of Leicester.
National Trust | Blickling Hall: Magnificent Jacobean house, garden and park
Somerleyton Hall & Gardens, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 5QQ: Somerleyton Hall, gardens & maze is a beautiful 5000-acre traditional English estate including Fritton House Hotel - Norfolk's latest boutique hotel on Fritton Lake
Dragon Hall - Norwich: Dragon Hall, a magnificent medieval merchant's hall in Norwich, England. Open to visitors, guided tours and schools. Dragon Hall can be hired for weddings, celebrations and events.
Castle Rising: Castle Rising Castle is one of the most famous 12th Century castles in England.
Elizabethan House Museum: Discover Victorian life 'upstairs and downstairs' and find out what is was really like to work in the kitchen and scullery. Decide for yourself if the death of Charles I was plotted in the Conspiracy Room. Dress the family in Tudor costumes. Let children play in the activity packed toy room. Pause for a moment of peace in the small but delightful walled garden.
Museum of Thetford Life: Grade I listed Tudor merchant's house.

The atmospheric crooked house tells the remarkable story of Thetford and the Brecks. Discover rich collections alongside audio guides, films and animations.

Meet local people from Thetford's past, from the revolutionary philosopher Thomas Paine to the Sikh hero Maharajah Duleep Singh and from rabbit warreners to railway workers.
Houghton Hall: The residence of Great Britain's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole with magnificent interiors designed by William Kent in the early 18th Century.

Houghton Hall has received the "Garden of the Year Award" from Christies and the Historic Houses Association in recognition of the renovation of the 5-acre walled garden which began in 1991.
National Trust | Peckover House & Garden: A Georgian brick town house with walled garden renowned for its very fine plaster and wood rococo decoration
Wolterton and Mannington Estate: Countryside walks and trails, gardens, rose and plant sales, hall tours, weddings, special events including music, drama, exhibitions, history and nature walks.
National Trust | Sheringham Park: A landscape park and woodland garden designed in 1812 by Humphry Repton and one of his most outstanding achievements

Gardens and Mazes

Raveningham Gardens: Raveningham Gardens - like many great gardens is the work of one person - located at Raveningham - Norwich Norfolk East Anglia.
Gooderstone Water Gardens: A unique attraction for all garden lovers, naturalists, artists and photographers - or those who simply want a restful break. What could be nicer than to stroll through an enchanting garden, explore the nature trail, perhaps spot a kingfisher and enjoy delicious home made cakes.
Priory Maze and Gardens: Priory Maze and Gardens a Norfolk attraction that appeals to all ages with tea rooms, a hedge maze, garden and plant centre.
East Ruston Old Vicarage - Garden in North Norfolk: Every part of the garden was designed entirely by ALAN GRAY and GRAHAM ROBESON as were all the various buildings.
The Amaizing Maize Maze: Get Lost! in the Maize Maze at South Creake North Norfolk. An offically credited Maize Maze!

Churches, Priories and Shrines

Castle Acre Priory: One of the largest and best preserved monastic sites in England, the foundation of Castle Acre Priory in about 1090 sprang directly from a visit by William de Warenne II and his wife Gundrada to the great French monastery of Cluny.
Walsingham: Shrine built in the 11th century.
St Mary's Church, Old Hunstanton - Norfolk Churches: Built in the grounds of Hunstanton Hall.

Animals, Nature, Wildlife and Bird Watching

Fairhaven Garden Trust | Woodland & Water Gardens in Broadland, Norfolk, UK: The Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden comprises of 53 hectares (131 acres) of beautiful ancient woodland, water gardens and a private broad at South Walsham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust - Cley Marshes: Internationally reputed as a premier birdwatching site. The view from the visitor centre across the Marsh to the sea is breathtaking
Home - Peddars Way/Norfolk Coast Path - National Trails: Visit timeless flint villages, dally by quiet streams, be inspired by enormous beaches and skies. Allow the setting sun over the coast to re-vitalise your spirit
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve & Gardens - North Norfolk, England - Host of BBC Springwatch: The official site for Pensthorpe in Norfolk. Home to BBC Springwatch. Find out more about the nature reserve, gardens, wildlife and special events. Great for families. Cafe and Gift Shop.
Holkham Nature Reserve - North Norfolk Coast, England: HOLKHAM is the most extensive, diverse and dramatic nature reserve on a coastline famous for nature reserves. Windswept tidelines, a maze of creeks and saltings, miles of dunes and sandspits, shady pinewoods, green pastures and marshes: the mix of habitats and the blend of wildlife unite Holkham's National Nature Reserve a unique place, somewhere to catch your breath in a busy world.
NWT Holme Dunes NNR: One of the north Norfolk coast's most attractive landscapes, with a tangible air of fragility. Its location makes it an important bird watching site and 320 species have been seen.
National Trust | Blakeney National Nature Reserve: One of the largest expanses of unspoilt coastline in Europe
Animal Ark Park Farm: Visit The Animal Ark for Adventure Play, Fun and Education. A Perfect Day Out for All the Family.

Walking Tours

Blue Badge guided walking tours: The unique city of Norwich with its extraordinary and outstanding buildings, its famous people and its beautiful riverside offers tours of discovery that will interest and amaze you. Whether you are a visitor to the area or a resident you will find the tours on offer so intriguing you will probably want to take more than one.

The Blue Badge Guides have a mountain of knowledge about Norwich, its buildings and history and they want to share this with you. The guides love their subject and it shows in their tours - taking a Blue Badge tour is arguably one of the best ways to spend 90 minutes in Norwich.

Windmills near Hunstanton

Bircham Windmill: Restored Norfolk windmill with cycle hire,bakery,baking shop,tearooms,holiday cottage, camping, museum and regular events
Denver Windmill: Working windmill set on the edge of the fens. Visitor Centre. Windmill video shop, Craft workshops.

Railways & Steam

Wells Walsingham light Railway North Norfolk railways East Anglia.: Visit the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world and see the unique Garratt locomotive "Norfolk Hero" which was especially built for this line.

A great adventure for all the family in the delightful countryside of the North Norfolk coast.
Bure Valley Railway Steam Railway: A great day out in Norfolk - steam trains, countryside, cycle and footpaths from Aylsham to Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads.

Norfolk's longest fifteen inch gauge line runs between the ancient market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, the 'Capital of the Norfolk Broads' with country stations serving the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall.

The 18 mile round trip runs through the picturesque Bure valley countryside following the meandering river through meadowland and ancient pasture stopping occassionally at small country villages.
North Norfolk Railway: The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty.

To the south are wooded hills and the Norfolk beauty spots of Kelling Heath and Sheringham Park. To the north, the sea. All within easy walking distance from the various stations.
Thursford - Steam Collection - Christmas Show, Fairground and Wurtlitzer: Thursford Collection, in Thursford Norfolk brings you the best family day out with the Christmas Spectacular show, Fairground, Mechanical Organs and much more!

Arts & Crafts

King of Hearts: The King of Hearts is a venue for the arts in the city centre of Norwich. Often described as a 'hidden gem', this spectacular Tudor Building sits by the Wensum river and houses a Contemporary Art Gallery, a Music Room, Craft Shop, four Meeting Rooms and a spacious Café.
Alby Crafts - Working Studios, Gallery, Shops, Gardens and Tea Room: Alby Crafts is one of Norfolks top attractions, home to a dozen craft businesses from stained glass and woodturning to sculpture and ceramics. Plus with 4 acres of nationally renowned gardens and tea rooms, it's a great day out!

Hunstanton Internet Links

Hunstanton Bed & Breakfast Directory: Directory of Accommodation in Hunstanton, Norfolk including B&Bs, Guest Houses and Hotels.
The Bays Guest House - 5 Star Bed and Breakfast in Hunstanton, Norfolk: The Bays Guest House - Hunstanton Norfolk, 5 Star Gold Award Bed and Breakfast in Hunstanton Nolfolk, tel: 01485 532079 - B and B, B&B Hunstanton Kings Lynn Norfolk
Positive Communications - Real Rural Broaband: PositiveCom, based in Norfolk. Providing real broadband to rural areas. Communications Specialists. Suppliers and installers of Astra2Connect Satellite, ADSL, Broadband, VOIP, 3G and Fixed Line Contact 01485 572253.
Hunstanton, Norfolk Tourist Information on AboutBritain.com: Hunstanton's clean and safe beach is ideal for family holidays, and a short walk northwards along the shore brings visitors to the town's famous striped cliffs.
Hunstanton Coast Guard: HM Coastguard station Hunstanton.
Visit West Norfolk: Visit West Norfolk, a truly special place of unspoilt charm and natural beauty, where tranquility and relaxation are order of the day.
Hunstanton Weather Station: Provided free for the windsurfers and sailors of Norfolk
Hunstanton Rotary: Hunstanton Rotary Club
Hunstanton Civic Society: People actively involved in celebrating their connections with the Victorian town of Hunstanton, preserving its heritage and helping to plan the future.
Hunstanton Concert Band: Hunstanton Concert Band plays music on wind instruments for local events in north west Norfolk, England.
RNLI Lifeboat Station Hunstanton: The Hunstanton lifeboat station is normally open to visitors in the summer months to see the lifeboat and learn about the crew.
Hunstanton Town Council: Hunstanton Town Council consists of 17 Councillors.
Hunstanton Fossils and Fossil Collecting Guide with Geological Info: Introduction to Collecting Fossils from Hunstanton, Norfolk, Geology and Geological Guide Summary
Princess Theatre, Hunstanton: Built in 1932, designed to function as both a live theatre and a cinema.
Hunstanton Golf Club: Located on the beautiful north west Norfolk coast, Hunstanton is a superb championship links course.

For more than a century, golfers have walked the rolling fairways nestling in a stunning landscape of dunes and links land grasses. The views change by the minute as the light alters, enriching your golfing enjoyment.

You can play Hunstanton on seven consecutive days and imagine you have played seven different courses - the magic never fades

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