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Hunstanton Beach


Old Hunstanton Beach © Amanda Slater via Flickr
Situated on the North Norfolk coast, the Victorian resort of Hunstanton (also known as "Sunny Hunny") has two beaches: the main town beach called Hunstanton South Beach, and the quieter Old Hunstanton Beach, at the nearby village of Old Hunstanton.

Hunstanton South Beach

Hunstanton's main beach stretches from the striped cliffs at the north end all the way to the power boat launch ramp.

Hunstanton South Beach © Pamela Kelly via Flickr
There is a level promenade all the way along, so everyone has easy access to all of the many attractions in Hunstanton. With lots of facilities and exciting things for the kids to do, Hunstanton Beach is a great place for a good old British family day at the beach.


Facilities at Hunstanton South Beach

Hunstanton South Beach is what many people think of as an old-fashioned seaside resort - beach, promenade, cafes selling ice cream, a funfair and amusement arcades and more. So you can rest assured that you'll find all the facilities you will need here.

Hunstanton South Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
There are three car parks near the beach and promenade, and lots of well-signposted public toilet facilities.

There are many cafes and restaurants on the promenade and in the town centre, so you'll easily be able to find somewhere to eat.

There is a beach patrol service on the beach in the summer months, which is responsible for first aid treatment, litter picking, tourist information and the general running of the beach. They do not provide a lifeguard service.

The end of the North Prom is the start of the Norfolk Coast Path.

Things to do at Hunstanton South Beach

Wash Monsters

The Wash Monsters are two fun amphibious vehicles that you can ride to explore the seaside around Hunstanton.

Wash Monster, South Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
There are two different types of tours - seal safaris and coastal tours. The seal safaris travel to a sandbank so you can watch the Hunstanton seals and the coastal tours show you various different aspects of the coast around the beach.

Water Sports

Hunstanton South Beach is very popular with watersports enthusiasts - you can hire stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, power kites and kite-surfing equipment (with tuition if required) from the watersports specialists on the North Promenade.

Hunstanton South Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr

Swimming and Rock Pools

Hunstanton South Beach is a great beach for paddling, swimming and rock pooling - the tide goes out a long way, so the water is shallow for a long way.

Old Hunstanton Beach © Loz Pycock via Flickr
The rock pools that are left behind at low tide are great for kids to explore - if they're lucky they might even find a fossil or two!

Hunstanton Pier

There is not a pier at Hunstanton! There was once a magnificent Victorian pier (built in 1870), but due to storm damage and fires, nothing is left of the original pier.

Funfair, South Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
There is, in its place on the seafront, a family entertainment complex called The Pier. Here you can entertain the kids at the cafe, ten-pin bowling alley, and amusement arcade.

Rainbow Park Fun Fair

Funfair, South Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
You can have all the fun of the fair at the Rainbow Park Fun Fair right on the seafront, next to the Sealife Centre and the Seagate Car Park.

Funfair, South Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
There are the traditional rides such as the helter-skelter and galloping horses roundabout, with more modern ones such as the bobsleigh and mini-rollercoaster.

Sealife Seal Sanctuary

This is a great place to take your kids if they're into animals.

Sealife Centre © Mr ATM via Flickr
With a penguin beach, rainforest zone, otter river, seal hospital and sanctuary, and an underwater ocean tunnel, they'll have a whale of a time!

Old Hunstanton Beach

Old Hunstanton Beach is much quieter than its neighbour at Hunstanton town.

Old Hunstanton Beach © Squeezyboy via Flickr
There is no prom or funfair, but there is a great expanse of soft golden sand, sand dunes and spectacular striped cliffs!

Old Hunstanton Beach © Dave Anteh via Flickr
You can have a more relaxing day swimming and sunbathing at Old Hunstanton Beach - but there are still facilities in Old Hunstanton village, should you need an ice cream, a meal or the general store and post office.

Facilities at Old Hunstanton Beach

There are two car parks with access to Old Hunstanton Beach.

Old Hunstanton Beach Lighthouse © Mr ATM via Flickr
The larger cliff-top car park near to the lighthouse, and the smaller car park off Sea Lane in Old Hunstanton village.

Note - the path down to the beach from the cliff top car park is steep with many steps, so it is not suitable for those with mobility issues.

There are public toilets at the Sea Lane car park in Old Hunstanton and in the Cliff Top car park.

Old Hunstanton Beach Lighthouse © John Fielding via Flickr
If you want an ice cream or lunch, there is a cafe next to the old lighthouse at the cliff-top car park. Alternatively, there are two pubs, two hotels, a cafe and a restaurant in Old Hunstanton village.

There are no lifeguards or beach patrols at Old Hunstanton, even in the summer months.

Old Hunstanton Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
There are beach huts available in the dunes at Old Hunstanton Beach - you can hire them for the day or the week depending on how long you will be there.

Things to do at Old Hunstanton Beach

Kids will love to build sandcastles in the soft golden sand and explore the dunes here.

Old Hunstanton Beach © Alan Parkinson via Flickr
Also, they can paddle and swim in the sea which goes out a long way out at low tide. They might even find some fossils beneath the spectacular striped cliffs.

Kitesurfers, Old Hunstanton Beach © Mr ATM via Flickr
The beach is very popular with kite surfers and windsurfers.

Old Hunstanton Beach is said to be the best beach in England for kite surfing!

Kitesurfers, Old Hunstanton Beach © Smidge 9000 via Flickr

Frequently Asked Questions for Hunstanton Beach

Q: Does Hunstanton Have a Sandy Beach?

A: Hunstanton South Beach has a mix of sand and shingle, which is cleaned in the summer by the beach patrols.

Hunstanton South Beach © Loz Pycock via Flickr
Old Hunstanton Beach has fine golden sand (softer than that on the South Beach) and is backed by dunes and cliffs.

Q: Can you take the dogs to Hunstanton Beach?

A: Dogs are not allowed on Hunstanton South Beach (from the power boat launch ramp to the northern end of the promenade) from April to October. They must also be on a lead if they are taken on the promenade between the same two points from April to October.

Dogs on Old Hunstanton Beach © Dave Anteh via Flickr
Dogs are allowed on Old Hunstanton Beach all year round.

Q: What are the Tide Times on Hunstanton Beach?

A: You can find the tide times for Hunstanton Beach on this website:
https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/hunstanton-tide-times

Q: Where can I park at Hunstanton Beach?

A: There are three main car parks in Hunstanton town that are nearest to South Beach : South Prom, Southend and Seagate. The Seagate car park is nearest to the funfair end of the beach.

Old Hunstanton Beach Lighthouse © Martin Bone via Flickr
Old Hunstanton Beach has two car parks - a large one on the cliff top (with a steep path down to the beach) and a smaller one off Sea Lane in Old Hunstanton Village.

Q: Are there lifeguards at Hunstanton Beach?

A: There are no active lifeguards on Hunstanton South Beach, but there is a beach patrol team in the summer (April to September). They have a patrol hut on the seafront, where you'll also find a first aid point, and information about the local area and tides.

There are not any lifeguards or beach patrols stationed on Old Hunstanton Beach.

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Hunstanton Beach Postcode for SatNav: PE36 5BF

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