Start your day at the Old Town Beach Cafe. Tucked away opposite the RNLI Station in neighbouring Old Hunstanton, this dog-friendly cafe is a great place to kick things off. With views of the dunes and plenty of outside seating, it’s easy to see why locals and visitors love it. The menu is a celebration of home cooked food – think hearty breakfasts, generously filled rolls, and fresh cakes straight from the oven. There’s a relaxed, laid-back feel that makes it perfect whether you’re arriving from a coastal walk or just easing into the day. 

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Stroll along Cliff Parade and the Victorian esplanade, built in the late 1800s, with crazy golf, a play area and well-maintained gardens – on a clear day, you might even spot Boston Stump (St Botolph’s Church tower) across The Wash, in Lincolnshire. At the north end of Cliff Parade, you’ll see the ruins of St Edmund’s Chapel, marking the spot where England’s first patron saint is said to have landed. Nearby stands Hunstanton Lighthouse, now decommissioned but still an iconic landmark. The Norfolk Coast Path begins in the Esplanade Gardens and stretches 84 miles to Hopton-on-Sea.

Discover Sea Life Hunstanton, a firm family favourite. From playful rescue seals to vibrant reef fish and jellyfish, it’s compact yet full of interactive displays and close-up views. Don’t miss Ernie, the giant sea turtle, below, gliding through the tropical ocean tunnel. Book special experiences like feeding sessions or magical after-hours events including mermaid visits. 

www.visitsealife.com/hunstanton

Both images © Rachel Bowles

Create something unique at Honeypots Studio, a vibrant pottery painting space in the town centre. Choose from mugs, plates, and figurines – perfect for all ages and no experience needed as staff are on hand to help. Booking ahead is advised during school holidays. Pieces are glazed and ready in around 12 days or can be posted. Don’t miss the adults-only Paint & Sip evenings.

www.honeypotsstudio.co.uk

Step inside the Heritage Centre and learn about the town’s rich history. From its days as a Victorian seaside resort to tales of shipwrecks, royal visits, and classic postcards, the centre offers a compact but compelling snapshot. Highlights include historic maps, fossils, and models, plus the story of Edmund, a 15-year-old Saxon boy who arrived here in 855AD and later became king, martyr, and England’s first patron saint. Run by volunteers, the centre is currently open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2pm to 4pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. 

hunstantonsociety.wixsite.com/hunsoc

Treat yourself to a picnic from The Norfolk Deli. Renowned for its focus on locally sourced produce, this popular deli offers a tasty range of picnic hampers. Choose a classic hamper or build your own, but we’re especially tempted by the ‘Sunny Hunny Picnic’: generous sausage rolls, quiche of the day, vibrant deli salads, and a homemade chocolate brownie with fresh strawberries. Add a bottle of wine, and you’ve got a luxury lunch on the sand. Prefer to graze? Try one of their beautifully presented grazing boxes or fresh seafood platters. Pre-order online via www.norfolk-deli.co.uk and collect on the day. 

Make a splash with a range of water-based activities. Hunstanton Watersports offers paddleboarding and kitesurfing from the beach. Lessons are available to help you get started or build your confidence – book at www.hunstantonwatersports.com. To get in the swim, head to Alive Oasis, the town’s leisure centre, with its 25-metre swimming pool with aqua slide, and shallow toddler pool. With lane swimming, family fun sessions, general swim times and plenty to do out of the water, there’s something for everyone. For a really tranquil experience, book a slot at Hunstanton Private Pool Hire for exclusive use of their pool. Take a dip, unwind, complete with music, and perhaps treat yourself to one of their cream teas, too.  

www.alivewestnorfolk.co.uk; www.hunstantonpoolhire.co.uk

Embrace traditional seaside pursuits with a stroll along the promenade, a spin on the fairground rides, and tuck into a generous portion of fish and chips with a sea view. For a true local favourite, visit Fishers of Hunstanton, a long-established chippy just a stone’s throw from the beach. Whether it’s the nostalgia of penny slot machines, the bright lights of the carousel, or the simple pleasure of salty chips eaten straight from the paper, this is the British seaside at its best.

Enjoy live entertainment at the Princess Theatre, where The Great British Seaside Special Variety Show will light up the stage every Wednesday afternoon in August (and the evening of 27th). This lively, family-friendly production blends music, comedy, stunts, magic and more. For something different, check the theatre’s wider summer programme, which includes exciting tribute acts like A Vision of Elvis, The Jersey Beats, and a double bill celebrating Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. 

www.princesshunstanton.co.uk

Experience one of the coast’s treats – watching the sun set over the sea with a drink in hand at The Golden Lion. Hunstanton is one of the few places on the east coast where the sun sets over the water, and the hotel’s terrace offers a perfect view. Watch as the sky transforms over The Wash, an unforgettable end to the day. If you prefer to stay indoors, the bar and conservatory are just as welcoming (and dog friendly).

www.thegoldenlionhunstanton.co.uk

Stay a little longer at No.33, a boutique room-only property just a short walk from the seafront. Brought to you by the team behind Thornham Deli, it offers five king-size en suite rooms designed in calming coastal tones. Enjoy walk-in showers, Egyptian cotton sheets, and Nespresso machines. If you’re travelling as a family, their sister property, No.5, is a stylish, three-bedroom self-catering house in Hunstanton. It shares the same attention to detail, with more space to relax. Both are dog friendly.

www.33boutiqueaccommodation.co.uk

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