It was built at the highest point available on this part of the coast, on top of Hunstanton Cliffs,[5] and served to help guide vessels into the safe water of Lynn Deeps.

[7] Prior to the establishment of the Lynn Well light vessel in 1828, Hunstanton Lighthouse provided the only visible guide to ships seeking to enter The Wash at night.

[8] Before the establishment of a lighthouse in the vicinity, it appears that sailors used the lights burning in St Edmund's Chapel to guide them into The Wash by night.

[11] Atop the tower was a simple square lantern room, glazed to seaward, which contained an innovative lighting array.

[9] Trinity House promptly began work on replacing the wooden tower and its light, technology having advanced significantly in the sixty years since it was built.

[9] Work began in 1838 on a new lighthouse: designed by James Walker and built by William Candler of Lynn, it was first lit on 3 September 1840.

[5] It was a white-painted cylindrical brick tower, 63 feet (19 m) high, which placed the light at an elevation of 109 feet (33 m) above sea level;[5] In place of the multiple lamps and reflectors, a single three-wick oil lamp was installed, set within a sizeable (second-order) fixed catadioptric optic, designed by J. Cookson & co. of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

[28] Acquired subsequently by Hunstanton Urban District Council, the property was sold by them in 1965,[9] to become a private residence and later a holiday let.