Hunstanton - Norfolk 'n' good? very good actually. (Hunstanton)

Member Name: funzo

Product:	Hunstanton
Date:	25/02/09 (546 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 20 miles of golden sandy beaches, family friendly timeless resort

Disadvantages: none that I can think of.

For many of us this year for whatever reason, be it credit crunch, rising air faires, environmental consciousness or just a love of a kiss me quick hats and a stick of rock, our holidays will be spent within these shores. Many of you may have favourite places for a variety of different reasons, Bude in Cornwall happens to be mine but coming a close second is Hunstanton in Norfolk.

Situated in northern side of Norfolk, facing the wash about 15 minutes drive from the metropolis that is Kings Lynn, it has the distinct honour of being the only east coast town that has westerly sea views and therefore longer sunsets than anywhere else on the East Coast and most places in the UK, and who doesnt like a good sunset eh?!. Well the Victorians did, and they promptly set about making use of the miles of golden sandy beaches, big dunes and wildlife rich marshes for their Victorian like pleasure, and much of the finer Victorian architecture including a boating lake still graces the town.

Although a small town, with a population around the 5,000 mark, it is essentially split into two parts - Old Hunstanton and Hunstanton...or Hunston as the locals calls it. The newer part consists of housing predominantely bunglows, a Tesco (is there anywhere that doesn't have a Tesco's ??) and a fair that has not changed one bit in 20 years. The older part comprises of a single high street with the usual souvenir shops interspersed with the equally as obligatory as Tesco's; Boots and Mace and a long sloping green with a well maintained bandstand. Running along the beach connecting both parts of Hunstanton is the promenade where one can eat as much candy floss as the stomach would allow whilst gazing upon the long golden sands below.


What To Do.

Hunstanton genuinely does have something for everyone, unless you are looking for an Ibiza type holiday in which I suggest you book to go to Ibiza. No Cafe Del Mar's here but has Ibiza got the World Water Ski Championships and the Annual Kite Festival all on one beach? I think not. The calm seas and north winds make the 20 miles of beach a hive of activity but in all the years I have been going to Hunstanton there has never been an occassion where the beach has been too crowded. The rock pools and dunes provide great entertainment for the kids and the beaches have been declared some of the cleanest of in all of the UK. As testimony to this, there are colonies of grey seals basking on sand banks just off the shore, for which you can book boat visits to view close up. If you don't fancy taking the boat out there is a large sealife centre to visit right on the promenade, with many an exotic aquatic creature to gawp and point at. There is a leisure centre with gym and sports facilities should the need to burn off the Nofolk fudge overwhelm you and for those enjoying the more sedate sport of golf there is a full golf course as well as the traditional seaside pitch and putt to continue your Tiger Woods fantasy upon. But if Birds are more your thing, and by Birds I speak ornathologically and not like Im still in the 1970's then you will not be disappointed as the RSPB sanctuaries and marshlands provides homes to such rarities as the Black Winged Stilt. (one for the Bill Oddie's out there). For the kids, there are the usual arcades and amusements but not an overhwelming amount. They thankfully do not dominate the town and the Fair is small and simple with everything you would expect - Dodgems, Ghost Train, and Tea Cup rides being amongst the entertainment. Donkeys can be ridden on the beach and a land train can take you around tain for £1. All very reasuringly English without the tackiness of a larger resort. There are tea rooms to try those Norfolk lavender scones, and rolling countryside to lose yourself in all around if you fancy a break from the beach. The lavender fields of Snettleshem, and the Sandringham estate are within a 15 minute drive and all the glory of the Norfolk Broads within 30 minutes.Hunstanton is also full of old fossils. By that I am not talking disparagingly about the beloved blue rinse brigade who enjoy the town but of the ammomnites kind with the red and white chalk cliffs providing a veritable feast for geologists and fossil hunters.
All in all, there is something for all the family to enjoy in their visit to Hunstanton, young or old, fossil hunter or not.

Accomodation.

Searles Caravan park opened in 1936 and dominates the newer side of Hunstanton with its thousands of Static paradises dotting one landscape.Prices for a weeks stay in one of the best mobile homes can cost up to £800, but if some 1980's chintz and wafer thin walls are not your thing there are a few B+B's for the mid budget holidayers and some excellent hotels for those accustomed to a bit of luxury. I have stayed at three hotels, Le Strange with its private beach, Golden Lion with its clifftop location and stunning views and Caley Hall - a 17th century manorhouse with it's heartily recommended food. Of the three I would say that the Le Strange was the most plesant stay and maintains its Victorian oppulance well.


Where To Eat.

Sadly Le Terrace has closed as it provided high qulity food at very reasonale prices but there remains some very good restaurants in the town with Caley Hall, Tams Place and the restaurant in Le Strange hotel being the pick of the bunch. There are the a good few fish and chips to choose from (Seagull Fish and Chips do great fish) and there are a good selection of Tea Rooms, Take aways and oriental fooderies to choose from. If you are self catering there is a Tesco's and a Sainsbury's to stock up in.


How To Get There

Since Dr Beeching closed the Hunstanton to Kings Lynn line in 1969, the only way to Hunstanton is via the road - principally the A149, but the drive takes in windmills, the Fens and lavender fields a plenty as well as the forests of the Sandringham estate so it makes the journey one of the more scenic ones that can be had.


Conclusion

Hunstanton inspires a warm whimsical feeling in me. Other than a Tesco and a few newer caravans it really hasnt changed much in 20 years and there is something reassuringly wonderful and heart warming about that. The 20 miles of golden beaches, long sunny days followed by long, beautiful sunsets make this a memorable place to visit. It has the right mix of traditional seaside fun coupled with Victorian elegance and untouched, unspoilt nature. Super for families with pre teen kids or for those looking for top notch wind and kite surfing. Looking for a good cheap break, you could do a lot worse than Sunny Hunny.


Useful Info.


Tourist Information Centre - The Town Hall, The Green, Hunstanton Tel 01485 532610
Market Days - Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays
16th August - 22nd August - Largest open tennis championship outside of Wimbledon
28th June - Hunstanton Carnaval
4th July - Lavender Festival

Thanks for reading

Summary: Hunstanton - A Norfolk Gem.