Happisburgh, Historic coastal village in North Norfolk, England
Happisburgh is a village along the northeastern Norfolk coast featuring a distinctive white lighthouse marked with three red bands. The lighthouse and the medieval church form the main landmarks that visitors see walking through this quiet settlement.
This village developed in the Middle Ages when the church was first built, then substantially rebuilt in the 15th century. Archaeological finds from 2010 revealed that humans inhabited this area roughly 800,000 years ago, making it the oldest known settlement site in Britain.
St. Mary's Church shapes the village center with its distinctive tower and has guided seafarers for centuries. The building anchors community life and remains a visual landmark that travelers notice from afar.
The village car park provides level beach access via an earth ramp and includes year-round toilet facilities for visitors. The walking paths to the shore and through the village are straightforward and suit most visitors.
The lighthouse dates to 1790 and operates as Britain's only independently maintained light, kept going by the community's voluntary support rather than government funding. This arrangement makes it stand apart from other British coastal lights.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
