Rare access to Hunstanton's Lighthouse during Heritage Open Days

The annual celebration of England's history and culture grants access to some of our monuments steeped in local history.

It's hard to miss the lighthouse (which obviously was its purpose), on my beach walks from Old Hunstanton it's always standing proud.  And I've often passed by and wondered what it's like inside - and what the views are like from the top.

And thanks to a national heritage week, I got to find out.  It's one of many local historic monuments that's been open to the public, with the Hunstanton Civic Society organising tours.

Our guide Andrew Murray greets us and unexpectedly leads us down - not up.  And as we descend the staircase, we are in a dungeon.

"Smugglers were held here until they were carted off to be incarcerated in Norwich. It wouldn't have been very pleasant, it would have been cold and it would have been damp. I've no idea if there's another lighthouse with a dungeon, but I haven't found one yet."

The dungeon

There's been a lighthouse here since the 17th century, providing the only visible guide to ships wanting to enter The Wash at night.  The present one was built in 1844 with a lantern that measured twelve feet in diameter and was hoisted 49 feet into position.

We begin to make our way up more than 80 steps to the top, with some small windows along the way with beautiful sea views.  The ascent doesn't end there, a ladder leads us out of a hatch, where Andrew's waiting with a helping hand.

At we emerge the panoramic views are breathtaking (could be the wind that's adding to that) as we stand where the light used to be.

The present lighthouse ceased operations in 1921 - since then it's been an observation post, a private residence and now part of it's a holiday let.

Some of the party take out binoculars.  And I hear Cheryl - who's owned a static caravan in Heacham for over 40 years - saying she's got to take a photo to prove to her husband she's done this (she's afraid of heights).  "The views are amazing, the lighthouse has always fascinated me and finally I've been able to come and have a look," she says.

"You can see part of the brick wall has been repaired up here," Andrews tells us, "It was struck by lightning around 5 years ago and had to be repaired."  I'll stop complaining about the wind.

Andrew also tells us ships would sometimes fire a cannon near to the lighthouse to wake the keeper up.

I get a sudden urge to wave to people from the top, I'm pleased to say some walkers happily wave back.

As we make our descent I chat to Amelia Platt, who's with her mum, "We live locally and always drive past and think it looks very cool.  When I saw it was open today I thought we've got to go. It's amazing to see inside and you'd never know from the outside that there's a dungeon. And the views are incredible, and I think heritage open days are brilliant."

Mum Caroline is another member of the group afraid of heights, "But I have a terrible fear of missing out too! And when your daughter's organised it as a little treat, you've got to do it."

On the way out I hear a murmur of appreciation for the tour, what a privilege it is to get to explore such a prominent landmark enriched in local history.

Thank you Heritage Open Days and Hunstanton Civic Society.

Heritage Open Days run each September and invite people to experience local history, architecture and culture. All for free. https://www.heritageopendays.o...