Widely renowned for its iconic striped cliffs to the north, glorious sunsets, acres of golden sands and clear, shallow waters, Hunstanton has been a favourite holiday destination for seaside lovers for centuries.

Within the town itself there is a wealth of parks, gardens and flower beds rich in colour, scents and culture, which are the culmination of many years of hard work by the Hunstanton in Bloom committee as they strive to create open spaces that complement the natural assets of the seaside town.

So whether you are a first time visitor to Hunstanton or a lifelong resident, why not follow our picturesque tour acround the town to discover some of the many hidden treasurers that contribute to Hunstanton’s award-winning success?

Starting at Hunstanton Tourist Information Centre, the route, which is approximately 1.5 miles long, passes many sites of horticultural, cultural or historical significance and, of course, the award-winning floral displays.Hunstanton In Bloom

Horticultural TrailWhy not take part in the Boston Square Sensory Gardens Bug Hunt?

Free spotter cards, information and magnifying glasses available from Hunstanton Tourist Information Centre.

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1st Hunstanton Brownie Unit flower bed

The Cellar Bar garden, Le Strange Terrace

Located within the grounds of Hunstanton Community Centre on Avenue Road, this Morecambe and Wise inspired garden was new to the resort in 2009.

Previously shown at the Malvern and Sandringham flower shows, this garden designed by Andy Tudbury, features sculptures of musical notes, Italianate planting and a keyboard style boardwalk.

A quirky representation of a moment of comedy history, this garden brings guaranteed sunshine to the resort all year round.

On the location of a former grass bank, this garden was designed and installed by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk in 2004. This multi-levelled garden is home to a variety of bamboos and ornamental grasses, and is complete with a variety of different herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Designed by the winner of the annual Brownie Guide ‘design a bed’ competition, this flower bed is maintained by the 1st Hunstanton Brownie Unit.

The title for 2013’s bed is ‘Sunset in Hunstanton’ and it depicted this scene using seasonal bedding plants.

The 2013 winning design was installed in June, for all to enjoy throughout the summer months.

‘Bring me Sunshine’Morecambe and Wise tribute garden

Including a bandstand, wide open spaces and views of the sea, The Green is a two-acre community space at the heart of the town. A focal point for many of the town’s outdoor activities, The Green is the perfect place for family games and tucking into paper-wrapped fish and chips.

Located on the upper green, visitors will find the popular grass maze. Next to the Pier Amusements a waterfall bed, created during the 2010 RHS Britain in Bloom launch weekend, can be found. Featuring thrift, campion, sedum and ivy plants, the bed was built to replicate the once babbling water of the former waterfall which could be found here. As well as providing a pretty focal point, the bed was also designed to attract insects into the area, helping to support the town’s biodiversity.

Esplanade Gardens

With its manicured lawns and award-winning bedding displays, the Esplanade Gardens is a must-see for any visitor to the town.

The 250m long gardens comprise 50 unique beds. The rose garden next to the cenotaph provides space for quiet contemplation, whilst the RNLI commemorative garden features an old ship’s anchor pulled from the depth of The Wash surrounded by a mass of striking yellow genista lydia flowers.

Continuing the theme of life by the sea, an old sailing boat filled with annual bedding plants is the focal point of another bed. Encircled by ornamental grasses the bed has been designed to simulate the look of a washed up boat on the dunes of nearby Old Hunstanton.

The garden’s herbaceous borders, which are of various shapes and sizes, are also home to many different plant species including golden rod, sedum, giant phormiums and pink lavatera.

Other key areas of interest within the Esplanade include the coastal garden, the raised herb beds, the crazy golf course and the bowling green.

Opened in 1998 the Boston Square sensory garden continues to delight visitors of all ages. With planting deliberately chosen to excite the senses and accessible decking, the garden is appealing to all and embraces those with disabilities.

Herbaceous plants and native wildflowers including sea lavender, thrift, sea spray and stonecrop feature widely in the garden due to their hardiness and tactile qualities. Water features and mature trees help to create habitats for local wildlife, in particular birds, bees and butterflies.

At the base of this 7,500m² park lies a colourful anchor shaped bed, reflective of the town’s maritime heritage. Planted with a mixture of seasonal bedding including silver dust and empatians, visitors to this area can enjoy views out on to The Wash from many of the park’s memorial benches.

The ruined chapel on the cliff top is shrouded in local myth and folklore.

Providing an attractive haven for wildlife, the garden, which is planted with espcalina and persicaria, continues to evoke reflection on times gone by.

This garden is maintained by the Hunstanton Civic Society. The upkeep of this garden has been kindly supported by a lady who visited the garden and subsequently bequeathed a donation in her Will.

The Signpost Garden located near to the lighthouse is planted with a mix of herbaceous and perennial plants including irises, sedum, geraniums and hebes. Inspired by Hunstanton-based resident Megan Thomas, who wanted to enhance the previously bare land on the cliff tops, Lara Hall once again turned an initial dream into a professional reality. The garden features a signpost that points out nearby attractions including Skegness, which can be seen on a clear day.

Boston Square Sensory Garden

Lincoln Square’s anchor bed

St Edmund’s memorial garden, Cliff Parade

The Signpost Garden, Lighthouse Lane

The Green

The High Street

Offering spectacular views across the town down towards the sea, this miniature paved area provides a tranquil seating space adjacent to the Town Hall. Shaded by yew trees, visitors to this space will find a commemorative rotary wheel marking the centenary of the town’s Rotary Club in 2005.

During the months of May to September, visitors to Hunstanton’s High Street will find many vibrantly decorated planters and hanging baskets located along the bustling promenade. Installed for the first time in 2010, they represent the support by local businesses given to the ‘in bloom’ campaign. The Spinney recently underwent a large-scale but sympathetic regeneration to turn it into a pedestrianised area and relaxed space which can be used for the public. Interpretation boards supplied by the town’s Civic Society transport visitors back in time, to when the town was first developing into a popular seaside resort.

The King’s Lynn to Hunstanton railway, via Sandringham and Heacham , opened in 1862 and closed in 1969. All of the railway track has been removed since 1969, although many buildings survived along the old line. One of the remaining buildings at the old Hunstanton station end is the coal shed.

The Borough Council working in partnership with the Hunstanton Civic Society have recreated a railway themed garden in honour of the old station, featuring signal post , track and ballast with traditional themed plantings.

Coal Shed Garden

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This wildflower meadow, located on the outer perimeters of the pitch and putt course, has been sown with meadow and coastal wildflowers in order to help create a natural habitat for wildlife to flourish.

The Pitch and Putt course, Lighthouse Lane

Rotary Garden, Greevegate

Easton College garden,Lighthouse Lane

The bed was originally created by three Easton College students as part of their Foundation Degree in Landscaping Design and Management.

The bed contains a mixture of grasses and herbaceous plants including ligularia, trachycarpus and alchemilla mollis.

Installed in its present location in 2008, this bed has previously been awarded silver and gold awards at various local horticultural shows.

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