Hunstanton

Cliffs, open sea, and the start of the Norfolk Coast Path

Hunstanton is a seaside town on the Norfolk Coast, overlooking The Wash and marking the start of the 84-mile / 135 km Norfolk Coast Path to Hopton-on-Sea. From here, the trail begins its journey around the Norfolk coast, passing beaches, dunes, saltmarshes, nature reserves, coastal villages and seaside towns on its way east.

The town is one of the main access points to the route. There is no railway station in Hunstanton, with the nearest main rail connection at King's Lynn, around 16 miles / 26 km to the south. Bus and taxi connections provide onward travel from King's Lynn to Hunstanton, making the town a practical arrival point for walkers beginning the Norfolk Coast Path.

Hunstanton is known for its distinctive striped Hunstanton Cliffs, where layers of white chalk, red chalk and sandstone rise above the shoreline. From the town, the Norfolk Coast Path follows the coast north towards Old Hunstanton, passing the cliffs and continuing towards Old Hunstanton Lighthouse.

Hunstanton offers a full range of services for walkers, including shops, cafés, places to eat and drink, and accommodation throughout the town. Nearby Old Hunstanton provides further places to stay close to the beginning of the trail, while the seafront and cliffs can be explored before setting out on the longer walk east.

Leaving Hunstanton, the Norfolk Coast Path continues through Old Hunstanton and towards Holme-next-the-Sea, where it connects with the Peddars Way. Beyond Holme, the route continues through beaches, dunes, saltmarshes and nature reserves within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, beginning the longer journey along the north Norfolk coast and onward towards Hopton-on-Sea.

For walkers staying before beginning the Norfolk Coast Path, Ellinbrook Guest House provides a convenient base close to Hunstanton seafront and the start of the trail. Its central location also gives easy access to the town, Hunstanton Cliffs and the first section of the route towards Old Hunstanton.