Walking Beneath Hunstanton Cliffs on the Norfolk Coast Path
Hunstanton Cliffs and Lighthouse
The first natural landmark many people encounter along the Norfolk Coast Path is the distinctive stretch of coastline between Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton. Rising above the shoreline on the western edge of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, Hunstanton's striped cliffs provide a dramatic introduction to a coast shaped by geology, tide, and weather.
For those setting out from Hunstanton, this is often where the journey begins to feel truly coastal. The promenade and seafront gradually disappear behind you, replaced by open shoreline, wider horizons, and one of the most unusual landscapes on the east coast of England.
Unlike the softer beaches found elsewhere along the Norfolk coast, Hunstanton's cliffs reveal layers of red chalk, white chalk, and carrstone, creating the distinctive bands of colour for which the area is known. The effect is particularly striking in the evening when low sunlight catches the cliff face and brings out the contrast between the different layers of rock.
At their base, fallen boulders, exposed chalk, and wave-worn rock platforms extend across the beach. At low tide, large sections of the shoreline are revealed, exposing textures and formations that have been shaped over thousands of years by the constant movement of the sea. This rugged character sets the area apart from the dunes, saltmarshes, and sandy beaches that dominate much of the coastline further east.
Above the cliffs stands Old Hunstanton Lighthouse. Looking out across The Wash, the white tower has become one of the area's most recognisable landmarks. Visible from the beach, the clifftop path, and sections of the Norfolk Coast Path itself, it serves as a natural marker between the busy resort town and the quieter coastal landscapes beyond.
Beyond the lighthouse, the coastline begins to change. The cliffs gradually give way to dunes, open beaches, and saltmarsh, leading towards Old Hunstanton, Holme-next-the-Sea, and Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve. From here, the Norfolk Coast Path continues through a landscape increasingly shaped by wind, tide, wildlife, and wide open skies.
Whether viewed from the beach below or from the path above, Hunstanton's cliffs and lighthouse provide one of the most memorable introductions to the Norfolk coast and an unmistakable gateway to the landscapes that lie ahead.
