The Golden Lion Hotel

Hunstanton was built as a Norfolk seaside resort and gained popularity as early as the 1860s.  Today, Hunstanton retains its Victorian character and remains a popular holiday location for all ages. This Norfolk town possibly takes its name from the River Hunn, though it is also said that the name Hunstanton originated from the word "Honeystone", the name of the local stone from years gone by.  The River begins in the grounds of Old Hunstanton Park which also houses the grand Old Moated Hall, the Ancestral home of the Le Strange Family.

• Sandringham Estate
• Norfolk Lavender
• Princess Theatre
• Holkham Hall
• RSPB Titchwell
• Hunstanton and Brancaster Golf Course
• Sheringham Steam Trains
• Sea Life Sanctuary
• Oasis Leisure Centre

Local Insight

Norfolk is an undiscovered gem – we have no motorways in the county! Having lived here all my life I love the relaxed atmosphere, the beaches and the countryside. The Royal Household at Sandringham, 10 minutes from the hotel, its worth a visit for both the house and beautiful gardens. Along with Sandringham, we also have Holkham Hall, the Princess Theatre, our beautiful beaches and much, much more.

Pay us a visit and we’ll be happy to help you choose the right places to visit.
Zoe, General Manager

• Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary
  Dive in and be wowed by the many strange, beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep at Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary. Combining a seal hospital with otter and penguin sanctuaries, plus a fantastic underwater tunnel with tropical sharks. The Sea Life Sanctuary is located on the promenade, a ten minute walk from the Golden Lion Hotel.
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• Elton Hall
  Very little evidence remains of the original garden. Formal gardens and pleasure grounds were laid out in the 1890s and all that remains from this early planting are some of the mature trees, the box parterre and the four conical yew shapes to the south of the hall. The garden you see today was laid out in 1913 with the construction of the paths, the lawns, the lily pond, the well-head and the flower garden wall. By 1980 a large part of the Edwardian garden had fallen into disrepair and since the early 1980s there has been a major restoration programme. The flower garden has been replanted and a new sunken garden, a shrub garden and an arboretum created. The Gothic orangery was built to celebrate the millennium and a Gothic arbour was completed to mark the Jubilee celebrations.
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• Grimsthorpe Castle
  Grimsthorpe Park was the southern edge of the great Lincolnshire forest. Some of these ancient trees were still growing here in the 20th century. Oaks were felled during the Tudor period for ship building and again during Cromwell's ten year commonwealth. The oak trees you see today were planted after the restoration of the Stuart Monarchy, the straight ridings through the trees creating a formal park.
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• Houghton Hall
  The Houghton gardens received the “Garden of the Year Award” from Christies and the Historic Houses Association in recognition of the renovation of the five acre walled garden which began in 1991. The former kitchen garden had fallen into a state of disrepair and Lord Cholmondeley was keen to restore it as a memorial to his grandmother. An area for productive kitchen garden has been retained, the large part of the garden has been laid out as a series of ‘ornamental gardens’ in various styles.
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• Sandringham
  Sandringham House is set in 60 acres of glorious gardens, perhaps the finest of all the royal gardens. Every generation of the royal family which has lived here has added something of their own times and tastes, from the peace of the woodland walks to the drama of the carrstone rockeries, from the formality of the North Garden with its pleached lime avenues to the intimacy of the Stream Walk.
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• Peckover House and Garden
  Explore the fascinating home of the Peckovers, the Quaker banking family who lived here for 150 years. This is a hands-on house with a 'Cabinet of Curiosities', dressing-up clothes for children of all ages, and three floors revealing the lives of both the family and their servants. Built c.1722, this is one of England's finest town houses with superb rococo plaster and wood decorations. Outside, discover the hidden wonders of the 0.8 hectares (two acres) of beautiful Victorian garden, with its orangery, summerhouse, roses and manicured croquet lawn, as well as a 17th-century thatched barn and Georgian stables. There are stunning displays of daffodils, narcissi and tulips in spring and roses in summer.
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• Oxburgh Hall
  Oxburgh's secret doors and priest's hole make this a house of mystery and history. Step back in time through the magnificent Tudor gatehouse into the dangerous world of Tudor politics. Home to the Bedingfeld family since 1482, this stunning red-brick house charts their history from medieval austerity to neo-Gothic Victorian comfort. As well as early Mortlake tapestries in the Queen's Room, Oxburgh houses beautiful embroidered hangings by Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bess of Hardwick. Panoramic views from the roof look out over the Victorian French parterre, walled orchard, kitchen garden and a Catholic chapel. There are quizzes, trails and dressing-up clothes to try on, and charming woodland walks.
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• Houghton Mill
  Full of excellent hand-on activities for all the family and with most of its machinery still intact, this five-storey weatherboarded building is the last working watermill on the Great Ouse. Flour is for sale, ground in the traditional way by water-powered mill stones on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. The mill stands on an island on the edge of the attractive village of Houghton and is an ideal starting point for a walk through the water meadows. The National Trust tea-room offers delicious food and drink to refresh you after your stroll.
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Local Events

Norfolk has a fantastic range of events, gigs and festivals throughout the year, below is just a few

• The Royal Norfolk Show
• Hunstanton Tennis Week
• Hunstanton Kite Festival