On the doorstep
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From its fantastic beach to the choice of eateries and activities, discover more of what Old Hunstanton has to offer.
Old Hunstanton
This delightful, tranquil former fishing village, dating back to the 13th century, is nestled at the end of the iconic, fossil-rich, striped cliffs that separate Old Hunstanton from its younger and bigger sister, the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton.
It also marks the start of a smattering of quaint flint and pantiled fishing villages that hug this beautiful stretch of the North-West Norfolk coast.
Old Hunstanton sits at the western end of the strip designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which runs round the coast eastwards, as far as Bacton.
And, unusually for the East coast, as Old Hunstanton faces West, it regularly bears witness to the most spectacular sunsets over the Wash.
Handy for the beach, walking along the coast, or into Hunstanton.
Close to the Coasthopper bus too.
Whether visiting for a taste of the quiet life, or more active pursuits, you'll find plenty here to keep you amused and entertained, well-fed and watered.
Where better to start than the beach?
SCROLL
This stunning, soft, sandy beach, skirted by marram grass-tufted dunes has the shortest walk-in of any beach along this stretch of coast, with, unusually, no salt marshes to negotiate.
From the striped chalk, sandstone and carrstone cliffs at the Hunstanton end, with its cluster of rock pools, huge stone beach boulders and wreck of the steam trawler, Sheraton, to the salt marshes that meet Holme beach at the other, this huge expanse of beach is a favourite location all-year-round for a variety of big sky seekers.
Family and dog-friendly, it's perfect for paddling, sandcastle-building, kite-flying, beach cricket, body boarding and picnics. Or simply lose yourself in a barefoot stroll; lungfuls of sea air, sand between your toes, huge skies, captivating light and an exhilarating sense of space.
Old Hunstanton beach is also a popular playground for thrill-seekers; wind and kite surfers, paragliders, paddle boarders and occasional horse riders. Then, of course, there's the native bird life.
Nevertheless, particularly when the tide has disappeared to the horizon, it never feels crowded, and and you can always find your own secluded spot.
While it’s unlikely you’ll be completely alone or first on the beach (there always seem to be fresh footprints in the sand, no matter how early), it’s also ideal for capturing a sense of stillness and tranquility.
GET YOUR BEARINGS HERE
Explore!
PUB/RESTAURANT
CAFÉ
SHOP
GOLF
OLD HUNSTANTON PLAY PARK
COASTLINER 36 BUS STOP
BORDOLI'S WOOD-FIRED KITCHEN (FRIDAY's ONLY)
Old Hunstanton has a relaxed, gentle, friendly village feel, and unique personality, thanks to its eclectic mix of domestic architectural styles.
Old local stone and flint cottages sit harmoniously alongside Art Deco (Sea-Glimpse's era), Arts and Crafts, post-war, mid-century and striking, contemporary designs.
A stroll to the Old Hunstanton Stores for freshly-baked bread and croissants for breakfast is a great way to start exploring.
It's also ideal for stocking up on essentials, like local produce, milk and wine!
For a wonderful cooked breakfast on the beach, head to the Old Town Beach Café.
Scroll for more food choices
Close by are the Le Strange Old Barns, Antique, Arts and Craft Centre for new crafts, antiques and gifts, while The Strandline offers an array of coastal crafts and driftwood creations, all handmade locally.
Both are ideal for a spot of treasure hunting and finding a memento of your stay.
At the entrance to the beach, you'll find the Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat station. The RNLI first established a station here in 1867.
On Sunday mornings, you can watch the crew training. The sight of the lifeboat being launched is especially exciting.
The lifeboat station itself provides great interest, with boards adorning the walls listing all the lives saved.
It was wonderful to be able to walk to the beach and The Lodge, where we had delicious evening meals.
Eat!
A superb choice of pubs and restaurants is within a 5-minute walk of the apartment.
Serving imaginative menus, based on local produce, there's something to satisfy all tastes from the youngest to the most sophisticated palate.
Play!
GOLF
Old Hunstanton has long enjoyed a sporting reputation, thanks to its 18-hole championship links golf course.
Nestled behind the dunes, overlooking The Wash since 1891, Hunstanton Golf Course is rated as one of Britain and Ireland's top 100 courses, and referred to as one of the country's 'hidden gems'.
Just a five-minute walk (with clubs) from Sea-Glimpse, it provides even the most experienced golfer with a testing challenge.
Friendly and welcoming to visitors, daily green fees are available.
If you fancy honing your short game, there's an 18-hole putting green on top of the North Promenade in neighbouring Hunstanton.
“It’s a classic links course. A true championship test of golf.”
Bernard Gallacher, three times Ryder Cup captain.
FUN GOLF
Next to the putting green (purists look away now) is the ubiquitous, seaside, family favourite, Crazy Golf, where holiday hilarity is guaranteed!
More golfing fun for all the family is available at the nine-hole Pitch & Putt on the clifftops at Old Hunstanton, with fabulous views over the sea.
Nine of the original 18 holes have been converted to footgolf, so you can test your eye/foot coordination too.
CHILD'S PLAY
For our energetic younger guests, Old Hunstanton Play Park is just a short walk from Sea-Glimpse. Situated within a walled area on Sea Lane, it has an exciting choice of robust wooden climbing frames, swings, slides and roundabouts.
However, on a seaside holiday, nothing beats building sandcastles, exploring rock pools and paddling in safe, shallow, warm lagoons, left behind by the retreating tide, followed by an ice cream and little nap in the cosy beach hut.
Sandy Bottom makes beach days extra special for all the family.
For those with less stamina-sapping ambitions, a 20-minute bracing walk along the clifftops to Hunstanton is a great way to stretch the legs, accompanied by magnificent views over the Wash to the Lincolnshire coastline.
And finally, closer still to Sea-Glimpse, on Thursdays only, visitors are permitted to walk in the grounds of moated Old Hunstanton Hall, the former ancestral home of the Le Strange family.
The tradition dates back to when villagers were allowed into the grounds to collect firewood.
On the approach to the hall gates, you pass the picturesque scene of the parish church of St Mary and the village duck pond.
We are so fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful walks, from short, gentle strolls to long distance trails.
Starting nearby, on the 2.5 mile walk to Holme beach, which tracks behind the beach huts and next to the golf course, you'll find yourself among wild grasses and flowers, including marsh orchids and sea campion. It's a beautiful stretch, with a café selling ice creams waiting to reward you at the other end!
This walk forms part of The Norfolk Coast Path, an 84-mile trail from Hunstanton along the coast to Hopton-on-Sea. Much of the route passes through the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way, walkers encounter saltmarshes rich with wildlife (particularly its plethora of birds), pine woodlands, expansive sandy beaches and Norfolk's trademark big skies.
At Holme, the Norfolk coast path meets the Peddars Way, a 49-mile trail that starts in Suffolk and follows the route of a Roman road. Both routes can be combined to form the 133-mile Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail.
The Coastliner 36 bus route shadows the Norfolk Coast Path, from Hunstanton to Cromer, so you can pick and choose which stretches you cover on foot, then rejoin the bus to bring you back to the apartment.
Besides the coast path, there are wonderful rambles in neighbouring villages and over the gorgeous, gently undulating countryside all around us.
In the apartment, we have packs of walks, featuring a variety of these excellent nearby routes.
WALKS
Hunstanton, or ‘new town’ as the locals call it, is just a mile away, at the opposite end of the cliffs.
This attractive Victorian seaside town is home to a plethora of options to keep children entertained, especially on wet days – a traditional fun fair, amusements, crazy golf, bowling, a leisure centre, tennis courts, and the excellent Sealife Centre.
There’s also a theatre, a choice of exciting watersports, including kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as everyday essential high street shops, banks and supermarkets.
Hunstanton
History & Heritage
THE HUNSTANTONS'BACKSTORIES
New Hunstanton was created as a bathing resort by local landowner Henry Styleman Le Strange in 1846 as a holiday destination and was well-serviced by a direct rail line from King’s Lynn to Hunstanton.
The Le Strange family still live in Hunstanton and own the beach, and, according to a charter, they also own “everything in the sea as far as a man on a horse can throw a javelin from the low tide mark”!
Old Hunstanton dates back to AD855, when the boy king Edmund stepped ashore and was crowned King of East Anglia. He built the first settlement here, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
He was elevated to St Edmund following his death at the hands of a Viking army, when he refused to renounce his faith. He was the patron saint of England, until later usurped by St George.
Perched on the clifftop, overlooking the start of Old Hunstanton beach is the imposing lighthouse.
Built in 1844, it was operational until 1921.
The first lighthouse was built here in 1666, although beacons and lanterns have warned shipping of dangerous sandbanks in The Wash for centuries before.
