Experience the hive of activity at Hunstanton, the beautiful views at Holme, followed by the solitude and refreshment of a lonely sea bank. Plenty of opportunities for distractions along the way.
1. START TF672408 The Norfolk Coast Path begins by the bowling green in Hunstanton. This is a very busy area in Summer. Follow the black and white National Trail acorns from here.
- Hunstanton was a Victorian resort popularised by the introduction of a rail line from King’s Lynn in 1862. Sadly this no longer exists, however the Coasthopper bus service runs the same route.
- Hunstanton possibly takes its name from ‘Honeystone’ which is the name traditionally given to the local carstone which can be seen throughout the area and most notably in the red of the cliffs.
2. Walk past the Light house at Old Hunstanton. The Lighthouse was operational until 1922 and is now a holiday
let. There has been one here since 1666. Look out for the ruins of St Edmund’s Chapel dating back to 1272, close by.
3. At the RNLI lifeboat station the new route goes straight ahead, initially following behind the dunes and alongside Hunstanton golf course. Just before the final beach hut, waymark signs will direct you to go up onto the dunes from where there are fantastic views of the expanse of Holme beach and Hunstanton cliffs.
4. At Holme you meet the end of the Peddars Way. It is possible that a Roman ferry went across the wash to Lincolnshire from this point. As you follow the boardwalk through the Holme Dunes reserve the beach to your left is where the 4000 year old timber circle was discovered. It is now in King’s Lynn museum.
Please follow the waymarking carefully to avoid nesting birds in the dunes on this National Nature Reserve managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. There were once plans to build a Butlins holiday camp here!
5. At Thornham harbour do not follow the path over the sluice but keep to the sea defence bank until the National Trail leaves the bank to cross the harbour road to run between reed beds and grazing marsh.
