I do like to be besides the seaside! (Hunstanton)

Member Name: wulise

Product:	Hunstanton
Date:	03/06/01 (260 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of sun (for the UK anyway!)., Beautiful sunsets!

Disadvantages: Little night life!

I wanted to visit the seaside yesterday, so Shane, Scamp (the dog) and packed the car with our coats, drinking water, dog lead and dog food, then set off. The nearest seaside town to our home in Cambridgeshire is probably Hunstanton.

Hunstanton is only accessable by road on the A149. It is on the Norfolk coast and is; I think the only eastern sea town that is able to watch the sun set over the sea. Hunstanton has some of the best sunset in the whole of England. The town is situated on the ?Wash? and on a clear day, one can see Skegness.

Hunstanton is divided into two areas. ?Old Hunstanton?, which became popular in the Victorian era. Today it is a small village with Inns and Guest Houses. ?The Old Strange Old Barn? is located here. It houses one of Norfolk?s largest collections of antiques, arts and crafts. It is open all year round except Christmas Day. It is well worth a visit.

At the headland of ?Old Hunstanton? there is cliff top parking. (Car park cost is around £2.50 all day. This ticket can be transfered to other car-parks). It is easy to find as it is near the lighthouse. There is also a café, shop plus toilets at this site. It is an ideal place to walk the dog, with easy access to the beach. (Not recommended for disabled visitors). Dogs are not allowed on the beach between May and September. By this car park there is a pitch and putt site. It is popular, but I have never used it. The golf links can also be found in ?Old Hunstanton?.

Moving down the road, one soon finds oneself in ?New Hunstanton?. (Parking is free on the road side). This is the more commercial side of this traditional seaside town. It has many guesthouses, hotels and caravan parks, to cater for the holidaymaker?s needs. Some guesthouses even take dogs, but check on booking. Hunstanton is popular and weather records dictate that Hunstanton has some of the highest summer sunshine hours in the country. It was sunny yesterday but it also rained! The town
is often known as ?Sunny Hunny?, but I must admit until yesterday I had never come across the name.

There is ample car parking here, with many of them being pay on entry so have around £2.50 to £3.00. This one ticket is transferable to other car parks (council run only) in Hunstanton, but check when entering.

The sandy beach is around two miles long (I do not work in Kilometres!). Along the see front there is a wide promenade. It is accessible for wheel chair use. At the far end of the promenade, there is a funfair, but is closed during the winter months. Open all year round is the Sea Life centre. It consists of a large aquarium and Seal Hospital, along with touch pools, suitable for children. These are just a few of the attractions, but the restaurant allows the visitor to relax after the adventure. It is open all year round, but due check opening times in winter months to avoid disappointment. The Oasis leisure centre is also along the promenade. It too is open all year round, but I would advise getting there early, as it is a popular attraction.

Hunstanton tries to remain a traditional family resort. It reminds me of the 1960?s, sugar jars on the tables, few shops take credit cards and some seating has PVC coverings. The public toilets even have wooden doors! On the beach there are donkey rides and trampolines. Along the seafront, there are kiosks selling their wares, bucket and spades, candyfloss or shellfish. It has not changed since my childhood, now thirty years ago!

Seal Island is easy to visit on the amphibious vehicle, during the summer months. I remember this as a child and was always fascinated by them. (That was thirty years ago!) I have not experienced a trip to the island, as I get seasick on a pedalow!

The beach is ideal for swimming. There are sandbanks and the water is shallow and warm in summer. The tide goes out a long way, and large shallow pools form, making an ideal wind surfing site. There is
also a brisk sea breeze in winter, which encourages kite flying.

Hunstanton has the remains of a pier. It blew down during a storm in the 1970?s. Now days it houses an amusement arcade and a few small shops in the summer, but little else. It is situated by a long slopping green and faces the tourist information centre, which is next to ?The Golden Lion Hotel?. To one side of the green is ?The Princess Theatre?. It plays host to concerts and shows. During the winter season the pantomime is housed here too. It is popular, so check with the booking office for times and availability of performances.

The town itself is a quaint mixture of the old and new. No night clubs, only pubs, restaurants and cafes. There are the usually seaside souvenir but shops such as the post office, bakers, butchers etc are not forgotten. Do not expect a large variety of shops, its only nation wide store is Woolworth! (and a very small Boots). There are markets twice a week.

This is a brief description of Hunstanton as I see it today. It is an ideal place to visit or for a short family break. It does not really have any nightlife, so teenagers may not enjoy the place. I visit three or four times a year, but would rather not stay over night, as I like my own bed at night!

Tourist Information. www.hunstanton.net

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