Discover Happisburgh
The historic village of Happisburgh has a secluded sandy beach and a fascinating history showing the earliest signs of humans in Britain. The constantly changing coastline, its 18th century lighthouse and 15th century church makes Happisburgh a fascinating place to explore.
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Happisburgh is home to the oldest working light in the county and the only independently operated lighthouse in the UK. The famous red & white striped lighthouse was built in 1790 and offers wonderful views of the coast & countryside. In the summer, it is open to visitors on occasional Sundays.
Coastal erosion is constantly changing the landscape of the coastline at Happisburgh and has also revealed evidence of humans being present in Britain 200,000 years earlier than had previously been known. Flint axes and early fossilized human footprints dating back 800,000 years signified the oldest evidence of man outside the Great Rift Valley in Africa.
The secluded, sandy beach is dog friendly and great for days out. From the beach, you can walk as far as Sea Palling.
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 Norwich over 16 miles away.
Coastal erosion is constantly changing the landscape of the coastline at Happisburgh and has also revealed evidence of humans being present in Britain 200,000 years earlier than had previously been known. Flint axes and early fossilized human footprints dating back 800,000 years signified the oldest evidence of man outside the Great Rift Valley in Africa.
The secluded, sandy beach is dog friendly and great for days out. From the beach, you can walk as far as Sea Palling.
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 Norwich over 16 miles away.
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