Discover Happisburgh

Happisburgh is home to the oldest working light in the county and the only independently operated lighthouse in the UK. The famous red and white striped lighthouse was built in 1790 and offers wonderful views of the coast and countryside. In the summer, it is open to visitors on occasional Sundays.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF NORTH NORFOLK

Coastal erosion is constantly changing the landscape of the coastline at Happisburgh and that has also revealed evidence of humans being present in Britain at least 150,000 years earlier than had previously been thought. Flint tools and early fossilized human footprints dating back at least 850,000 years signified the oldest evidence of humans in Northern Europe and the oldest human footprints outside of Africa! These finds, as well as the mammoth skeleton in West Runton, have earned the Norfolk coastline the name, the Deep History Coast. Happisburgh is on the Deep History Coast Discovery Trail and has its own Discovery Point.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE DEEP HISTORY COAST

St Mary’s church also dominates the Happisburgh skyline and dates back to the 15th century. Its 110ft tower, overlooks the sea and is an important landmark warning mariners of the nearby sandbanks. Indeed, the graveyard has memorials to the many sailors who lost their lives in the treacherous waters, including the 119 sailors of HMS Invincible, who in were on their way to join Nelson in Copenhagen in 1801. If you climb the 133 steps up the tower, you can see 30 churches, two lighthouses, seven water towers and even the Cathedral spire in the city of Norwich over 16 miles away.

The secluded, sandy beach is dog friendly and great for days out. From the beach, you can walk as far as Sea Palling taking in wonderful views.

Happisburgh is a pretty village and is an ideal base for a north Norfolk holiday.