Holiday letting in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Hunstanton sits at an unusual point on the Norfolk coast — it faces west, which makes it the only settlement on the entire east coast of England where you can watch the sun set over the sea. That geographical quirk shapes the town's character more than most visitors expect. The light in the evening is different here, and the beach draws a different crowd because of it. Norfolk Holiday Homes, based at 68 Westgate, operates within this market, connecting self-catering properties in and around the town with prospective guests.

What's on offer

The agency's focus is self-catering holiday cottages in the south and west Norfolk area. The letting guide the agency produces covers practical ground — tax advice, choosing colour schemes for properties — which suggests the operation is as much aimed at property owners looking to let as it is at guests looking to book. The website, norfolkholidayhomes.agency, sits alongside a broader market of cottage agencies active in the area, including Classic Cottages, which lists properties in Norfolk among a UK-wide portfolio of over 1,500 cottages, and Norfolk Cottages, which lists Hunstanton properties with filters running from one bedroom up to nine and from one dog to four.

The Hunstanton property market

The self-catering market in Hunstanton is well established and reasonably competitive. A scan of what's available in the area gives a sense of the range. Sea Holly Beach House, a three-bedroom dog-friendly property set over three floors, has a master bedroom with a king-size bed, a double, and bunk beds, along with two bathrooms and an open-plan living area with a balcony. It has held Airbnb Superhost status for seven consecutive years and holds a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Liberty House, a five-bedroom Victorian property within walking distance of the beach, markets itself to families and groups and sits close to the Sandringham Estate. A semi-detached townhouse listed through Classic Cottages sleeps six plus two cots, accepts one dog, has a Friday changeover, and starts from £670 for seven nights.

Prices and availability

Weekly rates in the area, based on current listings, run from around £460 at the lower end to £1,500 and above for larger or better-positioned properties. Searles, a nearby holiday operation, advertises savings of up to 15 per cent when combining short-break rates into a week-long stay, with additional discounts for returning guests and Blue Light and Defence Privilege Card holders. Simply Norfolk Stays, which operates under the Barefoot Retreats brand and can be reached on 01328 730555, also lists Hunstanton properties and advertises up to 15 per cent off, with specific offers noted on individual property banners.

Old Hunstanton

Old Hunstanton, the village immediately north of the main town, is worth distinguishing from Hunstanton proper. It is quieter, more residential in feel, and the west-facing aspect is if anything more pronounced. The beach there is backed by low chalk and carrstone cliffs — the only chalk cliffs on England's east coast — and the combination of the geology and the evening light gives the place a character that is genuinely distinct from the broader Norfolk coastal offer. Properties in Old Hunstanton tend to command a premium, and availability in peak summer weeks goes quickly.

Getting there and around

Hunstanton is at the end of the A149 from King's Lynn, which is the nearest rail hub with direct services to Cambridge and London Liverpool Street. The town is not on a through road — it is a terminus — which keeps through traffic low and gives the seafront a relatively unhurried atmosphere outside of school holidays. The coast path runs north from Hunstanton towards Holme-next-the-Sea and the RSPB reserve at Titchwell, making the area useful as a base for walking as well as beach time. Dog-friendly properties are in consistent demand here, and most of the agencies operating in the area — including those listing on norfolkcottages.co.uk — carry filters specifically for the number of dogs permitted.