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Hunstanton was built
as a Norfolk seaside resort and gained popularity
as early as the 1860s. Today, Hunstanton
retains its Victorian character and remains a
popular holiday location for all ages but
particularly families. This Norfolk town possibly takes its name from the River Hunn, though
it is also said that the name Hunstanton originated
from the word "Honeystone", the name of the local
stone from years gone by. The River begins in
the grounds of Old Hunstanton Park which also houses
the grand Old Moated Hall, the Ancestral home of the
Le Strange Family.
That Hunstanton became
a seaside resort was largely due to Henry Styleman
Le Strange's decision to develop the area south of
the old village as a sea bathing resort. Mr Le
Strange designed the new resort personally with a
triangular green sloping down to the sea, with
buildings on two sides of the triangle and the sea
on the other, as the focal point.
The development proceeded at a slow pace.
However, in 1862, the Great Eastern Counties Railway
introduced a Norfolk rail line from King's Lynn to Hunstanton which ensured the prosperity of the new
resort.
In modern times,
Hunstanton is affectionately known as "Sunny Hunny"
and for good reason. Hunstanton faces West
across a 20 mile wide stretch of shallow, sheltered
water almost the width of The English Channel.
A memorable "highway to the
heavens" reflection of the sun in a golden and
silver road can often be seen as you look to the
horizon across the sea. At times the colours
change and glow orange, pink and even green. Hunstanton enjoys truly world class sunsets and records some of the highest sun-time
in the summer. It is likely, therefore, that your
Norfolk holiday in Hunstanton will be a sunny one.
Visitors and
residents alike enjoy the beautiful beaches and the
breathtaking views of the sea from the green and
from the famous Hunstanton cliffs.
On your walks around Hunstanton, there are many
opportunities for visitors to enjoy refreshment in
quaint Old Hunstanton as well as the main part of
the new town.
The Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat station team meets each Sunday
morning at their depot in Old Hunstanton, just past
Le Strange Hotel on the left to run through
equipment checks and personnel training/manoeuvres.
They are delighted to meet interested
visitors and enjoy explaining their work. Why
not drop in and see what you can learn about this
worthwhile organisation. Who knows, you may
need them one day.
There is also a popular land train in Hunstanton
Town which runs regularly through the summer months
carrying visitors from Searles up to the lighthouse
and back again. For enquiries re the landtrain
telephone 01485 534211 or
click here.
Hunstanton has regular markets on Wednesdays and
Sundays rich in supplies of
fresh fish and fresh fruit & vegetables. The
markets attract greater numbers in the summer months through to the autumn.
The largest of the two markets is Sunday's market.
The Sunday Market lays out its stalls on the parking
lot on the front opposite the Oasis Leisure Centre.
The Wednesday Market, however, takes place in the
car park between The Princess Theatre and the Bus
Station. For enquiries re markets telephone
01485 532610.
Hunstanton High Street and surrounding shopping area
houses a variety of shops catering for many
differing needs. These include places to buy
the last minute holiday essentials such as a bucket
and spade. Browse further and you will find
some of the usual UK High Street names as well as
suppliers of fashionable clothing for all ages,
gardening tools and plants, electrical goods,
printing services, kites, water sports equipment (ie
surf boards, kite-surfing and wind surfing
equipment), model toys and even home-made
confectionery.
Amongst these shops you will find Barclays, National Westminster Bank,
Nationwide Building Society and a Post Office (in
both Hunstanton Town and Old Hunstanton).
There are a number of small cafes, tea rooms, chip
shops and restaurants and along the sea front there
are the usual purveyors of fresh sea food,
Hunstanton Rock, ice cream and donuts.
