Hunstanton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hunstanton |
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 View of Hunstanton front from the beach |
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 Hunstanton
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| Area | 6.07 km2 (2.34 sq mi) |
| Population | 4,229 (2011) |
| • Density | 697/km2 (1,810/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TF6740 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HUNSTANTON |
| Postcode district | PE36 |
| Dialling code | 01485 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Hunstanton is a fun seaside town in Norfolk, England. About 4,200 people lived here in 2011. The town faces west across a large bay called The Wash. Hunstanton is about 102 miles (164 km) north-east of London. It is also 40 miles (64 km) north-west of Norwich.
Contents
Discover Hunstanton's Past
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Hunstanton is a town that became popular in the 1800s. It was first called New Hunstanton. This helped tell it apart from the older village nearby. The new town quickly grew bigger than the old village.
The Old Village of Hunstanton
The original village is now called Old Hunstanton. Its name might come from the River Hun. This river flows into the sea nearby. Some people think the name comes from "Honeystone." This refers to the red stone found in the area. The river starts in the grounds of Old Hunstanton Park. This park surrounds Hunstanton Hall, a historic home.
Old Hunstanton village is very old, going back to prehistoric times. Evidence of Stone Age settlements was found there in 1970. The old village is still quiet and peaceful. It has lovely clifftop walks. You can see an old lighthouse and the ruins of St Edmund's Chapel. This chapel was built way back in 1272.
How Hunstanton Became a Resort
In 1846, a man named Henry L'Estrange Styleman Le Strange had an idea. He wanted to turn the area south of Old Hunstanton into a bathing resort. He gathered investors to build a railway line from King's Lynn. By 1861, Le Strange was a director of the railway company. The railway was finished in 1862.
Sadly, Le Strange died that same year at age 47. His son, Hamon, then saw the success of his father's hard work. The Lynn and Hunstanton Railway became one of the most profitable in the country.
Le Strange moved an old village cross in 1846. In 1848, the first big building, the Royal Hotel, was built. It is now called the Golden Lion. This hotel was designed by architect William Butterfield. It overlooked the sea and was alone for many years. People jokingly called it "Le Strange's Folly."
In 1850, Le Strange, who loved architecture and painting, made a plan for the town. He drew maps and pictures of shops, a station, and a church. He wanted an "Old English" style for the buildings. This style was inspired by medieval times. Hunstanton became a great example of a 19th-century seaside town. Much of its original charm is still there today.
Hunstanton During Wartime
During the First World War in 1915, Hunstanton was a training spot. Soldiers from the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders trained here. They were getting ready for the Western Front. Famous bagpiper Iain Eairdsidh MacAsgaill and poet Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna were among them.
The Great Flood of 1953
Hunstanton was badly hit by the North Sea flood of 1953. On the night of January 31, 1953, a huge wave of water struck. It tragically killed 31 people in Hunstanton. Sixteen of them were US military members and their families. More people also died in nearby Snettisham and Heacham.
Local Government
Hunstanton has its own local government. It has a mayor and a 17-member town council. This council meets twice a month at Hunstanton Town Hall. The area was first called "New Hunstanton" in 1894. In 1974, "New Hunstanton" became "Hunstanton." The old village became "Old Hunstanton."
Hunstanton's Geology
The cliffs along the coast are very interesting. They show layers of different rocks. The bottom layer is a reddish limestone. This rock formed during the Lower Cretaceous period. On top of this is a white chalk layer. This chalk formed during the Upper Cretaceous period.
Hunstanton's Climate
Hunstanton has a mild climate. Summers are generally warm, and winters are cool. It gets a moderate amount of rain throughout the year. The town also enjoys a good amount of sunshine, especially from spring to autumn.
Fun Things to Do in Hunstanton
Hunstanton is still a popular place for day-trippers and holidaymakers. Even though fewer people take seaside holidays in Britain now, Hunstanton remains a favorite.
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The town has several old Victorian squares. From Boston Square, you can see across the Wash. On clear days, you might even spot Boston Stump and Skegness in Lincolnshire.
Hunstanton offers lots of fun activities. There's a fairground, an aquarium, and a seal sanctuary. You can also find a leisure pool, a theatre, and amusement arcades. Many large caravan parks are nearby. The main part of town is a big sloping green. It goes from High Street down to the promenade.
On Wednesdays and Sundays, Hunstanton has markets. They sell fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables. These markets attract many visitors, especially in summer and autumn. The main shopping streets have beautiful stone buildings. Some have glass canopies, reminding you of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
When the weather is good, you can take boat trips. These trips let you see grey and common seals. They live on sandbars in the Wash and north of Norfolk. The area around Hunstanton is hillier than most of Norfolk. The only large town nearby is King's Lynn, about 12 miles (19 km) south.
Hunstanton Pier's Story
Hunstanton once had a Victorian pleasure pier. It had a pavilion and a small steam railway. In 1939, the pier pavilion was destroyed by fire. The pier was damaged by fire again in the 1950s. Then, in 1978, a big storm washed away almost the entire structure.
Only about 15 feet of the pier remained. This was next to an amusement arcade and cafe. In 2002, another fire destroyed the entire building. The cause of that fire could not be found. Today, the site has a new arcade and bowling alley.
The pier was even in a movie! It appeared in the 1957 comedy film Barnacle Bill. This film starred Alec Guinness.
Getting Around Hunstanton
You can easily get to King's Lynn from Hunstanton by bus. Other bus services go to Sandringham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, and Cromer.
Hunstanton used to have a train station. Trains ran to King's Lynn until 1969. The train line was closed because it was not making enough money.
Education in Hunstanton
Hunstanton is home to Smithdon High School. This school is famous for its architecture. It was designed by Peter and Alison Smithson and built between 1949 and 1954. It's a very important building in modern architecture.
The school showed new ideas in building design after World War II. It was praised for its smart layout and elegant look. The architects even left some parts of the building, like the water tank, visible. They made the water tank into a tower. The school's design, with its steel frames and brick panels, was inspired by famous architects like Mies van der Rohe.
Hunstanton also has Glebe House School. This is an independent school for younger students.
Arts and Culture
The Princess Theatre is a great place for entertainment. It has 472 seats and is open all year. You can watch comedy shows, dramas, music, and plays for kids. It also has a six-week summer season and a Christmas pantomime. Movies are shown during the week.
The theatre opened in 1932 as the Capitol Cinema. It's known for its large wall made of local carr stone. It was designed for both theatre and movies. It closed in the 1960s and was sold in 1974. After being a bingo hall for a while, it closed again. The local council bought it in 1981. It was renamed the Princess Theatre in honor of Lady Diana Spencer. It reopened on July 5, 1981.
The Hunstanton Concert Band plays music around the town. They perform at churches, festivals, and the town's bandstand. The band Deaf Havana even has a song called "Hunstanton Pier." It's about the town where their lead singer, James Veck-Gilodi, grew up.
Hunstanton in Books
Famous author P. G. Wodehouse often visited Hunstanton Hall. This hall inspired places in his funny novels. For example, it was the idea for Aunt Agatha's home, Woollam Chersey. It also inspired the setting for Money for Nothing (1928). The octagon in the garden appeared in "Jeeves and the Impending Doom." Many of Wodehouse's character names also come from Norfolk.
L. P. Hartley knew the Hunstanton area from his childhood holidays. He used it as the setting for The Shrimp and the Anemone (1944). This was the first book in his Eustace and Hilda series. In the book, Eustace enters a world of rich families at Hunstanton Hall. The colorful cliffs of Hunstanton are a backdrop for Eustace and Hilda's games.
Media and News
You can watch regional TV news from BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and ITV Yorkshire. Local radio stations include BBC Radio Norfolk and Heart East. The town also has local newspapers like the Lynn News and Your Local Paper.
Sports in Hunstanton
Every August, thousands of people come to Hunstanton for the ITA Hunstanton Lawn Tennis tournament. It's the biggest tennis tournament in England after Wimbledon! It started in 1920. Players of all ages can join, from young kids to senior players. It's also a big social event.
Hunstanton Golf Club was founded in 1891. It's an 18-hole championship golf course along the sandy coast of Old Hunstanton. The town has also hosted big sports events. In 2005, it held the World Water Ski Racing Championships.
Famous People From Hunstanton
- Edmund the Martyr (died 869), a king, supposedly landed here around 855.
- Sir Roger L'Estrange (1616–1704), a writer and Royalist, was born here.
- Guy Le Strange (1854–1933), a scholar of the Middle East, was born here.
- George Grundy (1859–1945), a cricketer, died here.
- Tiverton Preedy (1863–1928), a church leader and sports promoter, was born here.
- Clara Dow (1883–1969), an opera singer and actress, started her career here in 1899.
- Robert Herring (1897–1973), a flying ace in both World Wars, was born here.
- Reis Leming (1930–2012), a US airman, saved 27 people during the 1953 flood. He received a special medal for his bravery.
- Richard Greer (born 1946), a motorcycle speedway rider, lives here.
- Bill Alexander (born 1948), a theatre director, was born here.
Town Symbols
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See also
In Spanish: Hunstanton para niños
