On the beach at Sunny Hunny Helen Price is a regular visitor to this part of Norfolk. She explains why she keeps coming back time and again with her eager Norfolk Terriers
Hunstanton Beach
Of all the places in the country I’ve visited with my dogs, Hunstanton is the one that truly has my heart. We come here for several short stays each year to refresh and reset. It’s one of those places that’s simply good for the soul. I hadn’t been to Norfolk for a long time until a friend of mine got married here six years ago. That visit rekindled my childhood memories and deep love for the area. My friend Lolly showed me all her favourite spots in North Norfolk, which quickly became mine too. Since then, we’ve visited every year, coming three to four times annually. Affectionately known as ‘Sunny Hunny’, Hunstanton consists of the more modern Hunstanton town and, my personal favourite, Old Hunstanton. Old Hunstanton features a beautiful beach with striking red and white cliffs and a famous shipwreck that’s visible at low tide. Parking at the beach is plentiful and easy, with payment available via app, cash or card. Adjacent to the car park is the popular Lighthouse Cafe, which offers an extensive menu throughout the day. There’s also a charming little shop attached, selling seaside goodies and essentials you may have forgotten. Now for the best part, dogs are welcome on Old Hunstanton beach all year round. From experience, everyone here is incredibly dog friendly and accommodating. One of the great things about North Norfolk’s beaches is that, when the tide is out, they become vastopen spaces, allowing you to walk for miles and enjoy peace and quiet, even during high season. Being on The Wash, it can be breezy at times, but in summer, this helps keep the dogs cool.
Mariners Inn Pub
Every time we arrive at Old Hunstanton and pull into the car park, my girls (the dogs) immediately realise where we are and squeak with excitement. It’s the happiest little sound and shows just how much they love it here too. The beach is accessed by a gentle slope from the car park, and as we near the bottom, I unclip their leads and off they go, racing across the sand to paddle in the sea, playing along the way. It’s such a special place for all of us. Having Norfolk Terriers on a Norfolk beach is always a delight as, being a rare breed, they often attract attention. It’s heartwarming when someone recognises them and stops to chat. People are always so happy to see them, and it’s a lovely way to connect with others who appreciate the breed. Old Hunstanton is also home to a local RNLI station. It’s often open for visitors to view the boats and learn about its history. The girls love watching the hovercrafts being launched; they are towed out by a tractor before they set off on rescue missions. It’s an impressive sight, especially during the summer months, and a reminder of the incredible work done by the volunteer crew year-round. There’s also a gift shop next to the station, with proceeds supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving efforts. Next door, you’ll find The Old Beach Cafe, which serves delicious food from 9am to 5pm daily, along with a wide selection of ice lollies to cool off on warm days. And if you prefer not to stray far from your beach spot, there’s my husband Ben’s favourite – an old LandRover that drives up and down the beach selling ice creams. Kept in its traditional Land Rover green, it’s a wonderfully nostalgic and British sight.
RNLI Station
When it comes to places to stay, Le Strange Hotel is a standout option, especially for those infamous Sunny Hunny sunsets. The hotel offers two types of accommodation: the more traditional Boathouse rooms, just a short walk from reception, and modern self-catering lodges nestled closer to the sand dunes with stunning coastal views. The lodges are conveniently located next to the popular Mariners Inn Pub, which we visit without fail. It serves classic pub food and offers both outdoor seating to enjoy the view and a large, dog friendly indoor space for rainy days. Even during peak season, the service and food quality remain consistently excellent. While some areas of Le Strange do not welcome dogs, the Boathouse, lodges, and adjacent pub make it easy to enjoy your stay without compromise. North Norfolk, in general, is incredibly dog friendly.
Le Strange Arms
Just along from Old Hunstanton is Hunstanton town, which offers arcades, bowling, a theatre, and more. One of our summer highlights is the open-air cinema on the green by the bandstand. It’s free and usually held in mid-August, showing three films in one day. We stumbled upon it one evening and stayed to watch Grease under the stars, me singing along with the dogs beside me while the boys headed off to the nearby fun fair. Another lovely place to stay is the Caley Hall Hotel, located on Old Hunstanton Road. It’s a slightly longer walk to the beach – about 10 minutes along a quiet lane past the golf course. The hotel has a fresh, modern fee and welcomes dogs for £12 a night. They offer 12 dog friendly rooms with easy access to the outdoors, as well as dog showers and treats. Their charming slogan, ‘Sandy shoes and muddy paws – all are welcome at our doors’, sums it up perfectly. It’s situated at the opposite end of the beach from Le Strange, in The immaculate borders of Hunstanton town a peaceful location. Old Hunstanton may be just one small part of the expansive North Norfolk coast, but there are plenty of nearby attractions worth exploring during your stay.
Drovers Orchard, just a short drive away, hosts a range of local shops and eateries, including the famous Eric’s Fish & Chips and Pizza Yurt. Thornham Deli is another favourite, offering local produce and delicious treats just two minutes down the road. We also enjoy day trips when staying here. Wells-next-the-Sea, with its iconic beach huts and charming town, is one of my favourites; it always has such a lovely buzz. My girls adore beach days, but if they could talk, I’m sure they’d say one of their top spots is Holt. It’s beautiful year-round and especially magical at Christmas. The town has a fantastic selection of independent shops, many selling local products. I always stop at Norfolk Natural Living, where they even offer dog bed spritz and cologne. The girls also make a beeline for Woofers and Barkers a treasure trove of dog treats, toys, and unique items you won’t find in every pet shop, and Fairfax and Favour a dog friendly clothing and apparel boutique in nearby Holt. Norfolk’s support for small businesses is a huge part of what makes it such a special place to visit. Norfolk will always be my happy place – full of cherished memories and magical locations – but Sunny Hunny holds the biggest piece of my heart. There’s something about it that brings instant joy, and the moment I see the pretty white lighthouse on the horizon, I know I’m exactly where I want to be.
Places to Stay Le Strange Arms – www.lestrangearms.co.uk From £577 for three nights in a dog friendly double room Caley Hall Hotel –www.caleyhallhotel.co.uk From £472 for three nights in a dog friendly double room
