Wells-next-the-Sea
Wells-next-the-Sea is a traditional family resort on the Norfolk coast. It is unspoilt, but has been 'rediscovered' by thousands of visitors. Like Southwold on the Suffolk coast, Wells has the feel of a resort that has changed little since the 1950s, but is well looked after and thriving.
Although Wells was 'next-the-sea' to the locals since the 1800s, the name, Wells-next-the-Sea was not officially adopted by the district council until 1956.
The name is a little misleading, as the town is over a mile from the open sea. You can reach the sea by foot along a bank first built by the Earl of Leicester in 1859. On the other side of the bank is a channel which links Wells harbour to the open sea. You can do the same distance by car along Beach Road, or take the Wells Harbour Railway, which runs parallel to Beach Road and stops at the Pinewoods Holiday Park next to the beach. The railway runs from approximately mid-March to mid-October.
Wells-next-the-Sea's biggest attraction is its beach, which has provided film locations for Shakespeare in Love starring Gwyneth Paltrow and ITV's Kingdom, starring Stephen Fry as solicitor, Peter Kingdom. The beach itself is stunning and a huge expanse of sand is revealed when the tide is out. Sand dunes and pine trees line its edges. Wells is also famous for its beach huts, which stand on tall, wooden legs. One particular favourite for magazine and postcard pictures is the multicoloured hut called 'Dolly Mixtures'.
Swimming from this beach can be treacherous and the warning notices and flags should be observed at all times. The beach is patrolled by beach wardens from the Holkham Estate. A siren sounds to warn when the tide is coming in so that people can avoid being trapped on the wrong side of the channel.
Dogs are not allowed on the first 200 metres of the beach. However, they are allowed on at the far end of the beach nearer to Holkham and out to the North Sea.
If you tire of the beach, the 16th century town of Wells offers plenty. In those days it was known just as Wells. The name came from the spring wells, of which there were many, in the area. In the 1800s, Wells became Wells-next-the-Sea to differentiate it from other towns and villages in Norfolk of the same name. The name not officially adopted by the district council until 1956.
In the mid nineteenth century, Wells-next-the-Sea was a busy port, exporting malt for brewing. A feature of this past can be seen at the large granary building on the front opposite the quay, which features an overhanging gantry. This building was built in 1903 and has now been converted into living accommodation.
The quay at Wells-next-the-Sea is still a hive of activity, some boats still fish out of the harbour and it is a popular spots for youngsters to go crabbing.
Moored in the quay is a Dutch clipper called the Albatros, which was built in Rotterdam in 1899. It has a long and distinguished history and was used to assist Jewish refugees escape the Nazis during the Second World War. It is now used as an educational centre and has also been used by Greenpeace for environmental study centre for school children. It is also available for hire for corporate entertainment.
Wells-next-the-Sea also has a busy lifeboat station, established in 1830 serving the area. The station suffered great losses in 1880 when eleven of the crew perished whilst trying to rescue those aboard the Ocean Queen. There is a memorial to the crew opposite the old lifeboat house in Beach Road and a service is held each year to commemorate those lives that were lost.
The 3000 strong population of Wells-next-the-Sea swells over three times during the summer months and besides visiting the beach and the quay, many come to visit the wide range of individual shops. Staithe Street has a vast range of shops selling a wide variety of wares from fashion, plants and gifts to delicious deli sandwiches. There are also galleries selling painting and photographic prints of the area.
The Wells-next-the-Sea Carnival is in first week of August. Events include 'gillying', catching crabs off a line at the quayside, and the traditional carnival parade with a carnival queen.
Tip: if visiting Wells-next-the-Sea during the summer months, you may find that the car park at the far end of Beach Road is full (when we arrived on a Sunday at 11am it was already full). There is additional car parking at the town end of Beach Road at the recreation ground, where you can park all day for £3.50 (August 2009) and the proceeds go towards Wells Combined Charities. There is also pay and display car parking in the town should you only wish to stay for a short while.
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Your comments on Wells-next-the-Sea
"Lovely beach and a good walk from Wells to Holkham.Shame about the £5 carpark at wells Pineforest. This is now too expensive and will keep me away unless things change."Steven Paul Hood
Seaside history
The British seaside holiday