Wells next the Sea

Wells is a pretty bustling village with the most beautiful sandy beach which stretches as far as the eye can see. Voted the Sunday Times ‘British Beach of the Year 2016’ it is picturesquely lined by brightly coloured beach huts with wonderful pine woods behind. The harbour is the perfect spot to watch the local fishermen bring in their catches and it is where children can have great fun fishing for crabs off the ‘Albatros’ clipper boat. From here you can take the miniature steam train down to Wells beach.

There is so much to do in Wells and the surrounding area, from sailing and bird watching to visiting the seals on a boat trip or enjoying the outdoor cinema at Holkham.  Wells Carnival in August is a huge event, not to be missed! The Pirate Festival in September is also great fun. Wells has many interesting and individual shops to wander around and lots of fantastic pubs and restaurants serving locally sourced food. Why not come and stay in December when Father Christmas arrives in Wells Quay by boat, under a display of fireworks! Please visit our page Events and Festivals for the latest information.

 Things to do

» Enjoy long days on Wells beach. Take a picnic and swim in the sea after all the day trippers have gone home. Swing on the ropes in the pine woods. Hire a beach hut for the day. The Happy Huts beach hut hire company have lots of very beautiful huts on Wells beach available to hire

» Visit Holkham Hall, about a mile outside of Wells, a beautiful stately home and grounds with lots of events happening throughout the year. These include outdoor cinema nights, sports festivals and feast in the park. Cycle and boat hire is available plus a ropes course and woodland play area.

» Go seal watching with Beans Seal Trips in Blakeney.

» Go crabbing off the Quay in Wells. There are lots of nets and buckets in the cottages.

» Visit Bewilderwood in the Broads. Fantastic treehouses, slides and zip wires set in a watery land.

» Enjoy fruit picking at Wiveton Hall followed by afternoon tea.

» Go birdwatching. There is wonderful birdlife in North Norfolk. Visit Cley Marshes where you can watch birdlife at the eco friendly wildlife centre. Pensthorpe,

» Try mud sliding! Morston and Stiffkey are great spots, your children will be covered in mud though, you have been warned!

Bike hire in Wighton https://www.norfolkcyclehire.co.uk

Bike hire in Wells https://www.wellsbikehire.co.uk

Pubs and cafes in Wells and Wighton

For fish and chips, you can try either Platten’s or French’s, both on the Quay and very popular.

The Crown Hotel in the Buttlands, Wells. Lovely food and a warm welcome.

The Globe Inn in the Buttlands, Wells. Lovely courtyard with fire, woodfired pizza oven.

Bang in Wells, great cafe on Staithe Street, lovely spot for breakfast and a game of scrabble

Carpenters Arms, High Street, Wighton. Beautiful pub next door to Carpenters Cottage.

Wells Beach cafe, Wells, right next to the beach. Fun, relaxed cafe for the dog mad!

The Golden Fleece, Wells. On the Quay, great pizza.

Wells Crab House, wonderful seafood, on Freeman Street, around the corner from Grey Goose Cottage.

Sands Restaurant, Great seafood and magnificent views over the harbour. A great spot to watch Father Christmas arriving during the Christmastide Festival.

The Albatross, a dutch barge which sits in Wells harbour. Fantastic pancakes, live music and and beautiful sunsets. You are very welcome to crab off the boat too.

Wills of Wells, cafe on Wells quay which serves wonderful coffee and has great views of the boats and harbour.

Wells Ice Cream Company, on Freeman Street, Wells. Sells great ice-cream and is 2 minute’s walk from Grey Goose Cottage, near the play park.

Try Swirl a new ice cream shop which has just opened on Staithe Street.

 

Further Afield but worth the journey!

Morston Hall,  michelin starred restaurant in Morston. For a special occasion.

Wiveton Hall cafe and restaurant, in a wonderful setting, looking across the marshes at Wiveton towards the sea. Pick your own strawberries too.

The Anchor pub, Morston, great food.

Socius  fabulous food, you need to book in advance Burnham Market

No 29 Burnham Market, great food, Friday night music nights are fun, outside courtyard and kitchen.

The White Horse, Brancaster. Beautiful setting overlooking the marshes

The Hero, Burnham Overy Staithe. Great place to walk to, lovely food, friendly service.

Thornham Deli, great for lunch.

 

 

Rocky Bottoms, near Sheringham, fantastic restaurant owned by a husband and wife team who sell the seafood straight from their boat. On return from fishing, Richard boils the crabs and lobsters and Alison prepares the produce. Takeaways and hampers also available.