Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk – Striped Coastal Cliffs on the Norfolk Coast Path
Layered red and white cliffs above a wide, tidal shoreline on the edge of The Wash
Hunstanton Cliffs rise above the western edge of the Norfolk Coast Path within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, where self-guided travel, walking routes, coastal landscapes, and open places begin along a shoreline shaped by geology, tide, and exposure to the North Sea.
These cliffs are unlike any others along the Norfolk coast. Formed of distinct layers of carrstone, red chalk, and white chalk, they create a striking banded appearance that shifts in colour with the light, particularly at sunset when the cliffs glow deep red against the sky.
Positioned between Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton, the cliffs mark a rare feature on England’s east coast — a stretch of coastline that faces west across The Wash. This orientation gives the area a different character, with long views across the water and changing light throughout the day.
At their base, the beach reveals rock platforms and fossil-bearing layers, while above, the clifftop paths provide a clear and elevated line for the early stages of the route. From here, the landscape begins to open and flatten as the trail continues east toward dunes and saltmarsh.
The cliffs act as a visual and geological threshold — a clear point where the route leaves behind built-up seafronts and moves into a more natural, exposed coastal environment.
Why Visit Hunstanton Cliffs
- Distinctive striped cliffs of red chalk, white chalk, and carrstone
- One of the few west-facing coastal sections in eastern England
- Strong visual landmark at the start of the Norfolk Coast Path
- Clifftop walking with open views across The Wash
- Geological interest with visible layers and fossil-bearing rock
Nearby Connections
- Hunstanton – town access and seafront
- Old Hunstanton – quieter coastal village
- Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve – dunes and marshes further east