HAPPISBURGH

A lovely east coast village dominated by two main buildings - the candy striped lighthouse and the large village church with its tall tower.

Happisburgh Introduction

The lovely coastal village of Happisburgh (pronounced "Haisbro") is dominated by two main buildings - the red and white candy striped lighthouse and the large village church with its tall tower. Both of these buildings are located on mounds, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. The pretty village lanes are lined with cottages, many of which are built from flint and thatch. The sandy beach extends for miles in both directions, but is dominated by the cliff protection barrier, helping to slow the rate of cliff erosion which has been pretty devastating in Happisburgh (some properties have been lost to the sea). The village contains a pub, small shop and tea-rooms. The nearby gardens at East Ruston Old Vicarage are well worth a visit.

Local Websites: Happisburgh Village Website

Happisburgh Map


	What to See and Do

	Take a walk on the beach
	Take a refreshment in the village pub
	Enjoy a stroll through the village
	Take a look inside the large village church
	Visit the lighthouse (only open certain dates)
	Visit the gardens at nearby East Ruston

Happisburgh Guided Tour

We start our tour of Happisburgh on the beach - where access is via a tower of steps ...	this is because this section of coast has been eroded into the sea, causing damage to local roads and paths.
Steps down to the beach at Happisburgh	Eroded old ramp down to the beach

You can see why the erosion has taken place when you watch the waves crashing ashore and notice the soft cliffs!
Sea waves causing coast erosion	Eroded cliffs at Happisburgh

From the top of the tower, you get a great view of the sandy beach and coastal defences - looking North ...	and looking South - notice the bay developing, this is where most of the damage has been caused.
Happisburgh beach, looking North	Happisburgh beach looking South

To get to the sea you need to cross the wooden defences.	These defences have only had a limited effect.
Wooden sea defences	Wooden sea defences at Happisburgh

Nothing gets in the way of the power of the waves, such as this concrete building, tossed over by the waves ...	and sadly this row of Victorian terraces are now very close to going over the edge and into the sea.
Concrete building turned over by the sea at Happisburgh	Victorian Terrace, about to fall into the sea at Happisburgh

In a commanding position, overlooking the sea is the large village church of St Mary's. It has a very tall tower (110 feet). Inside, the church is very spacious and contains some medieval features, such as the backlight to the rood at the east end of the nave. The church also has a splendid 15th century octagonal font and a stained glass window showing an English knight.
Happisburgh church of St. Marys	Happisburgh church tower
Inside Happisburgh church	Inside Happisburgh church
Happisburgh church font	Stained glass window of an English Knight

The church graveyard contains the graves of sailors drowned in accidents off the coast of Happisburgh. The worst took place in 1801 when the ship Invincible was wrecked offshore with the loss of 400 lives. The Invincible struck a sandbank called Hammond's Knoll, just east of Happisburgh, due to strong wind and tides. Many of the dead are buried in a communal grave at the north end of the graveyard. Ships still travel along this treacherous stretch of coastline.
Sailor graves at Happisburgh	East Coast Ship

Next to the church is the village pub "The Hill House" and just below the pub is the colourful village sign.
Happisburgh Pub, The Hill House	Happisburgh Village Sign

The village has many flint and thatch cottages situated on pretty village lanes. Along the main street you will find St Mary's Church Room (which serves teas) and the recently extended attractive primary school.
Happisburgh property	Happisburgh cottage
St. Marys church reading room	Happisburgh Primary School

Also in the main street is this small thatched building, perhaps an old toilet? if you know then please tell us!	not all properties are small however, there is a lovely big house surrounded by trees.
Small old thatched building in Happisburgh	Happisburgh House

The red and white striped lighthouse was built in 1791, originally one of a pair - the pair formed leading lights marking safe passage around the southern end of the treacherous Happisburgh Sands - but it was not always effective, as the graves in the churchyard show.
Happisburgh Lighthouse	Candy stripped Lighthouse

The lighthouse is privately owned, but opens its doors to the public certain weekends including Easter and August Bank Holiday. Inside, the 96 stone steps wind their way up the inside to the light at the top (134 feet above sea level).
Happisburgh Lighthouse entrance door	Spiral staircase in Happisburgh Lighthouse

When you reach the top, you can see the working lamp, 500 watts of light and visible for about 18 miles. The views of the coast and village are spectacular - on a clear day you can see for about 13 miles.
Lighthouse lamp	View of Happisburgh from the Lighthouse

At nearby East Ruston are the gardens of the Old Vicarage. These gardens are one of the most remarkable and enjoyable gardens made in recent years. Created by Alan Gray and Graham Robeson, now 15 years old and expanding at a rate of knots, it is a feast of formal design, and decorative exuberance.
East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens near Happisburgh	East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens near Happisburgh

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TOUR INDEX

Introduction
Map
Beach & Cliffs
Parish Church
Village Centre
Lighthouse
East Ruston Gardens

Extra Pictures

Happisburgh Beach

External Links

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