Our Wells-next-the-Sea Holiday Cottages by the Sea
Wells is unusual because the heart of the town is not directly behind its beach. The quay sits beside the harbour channel, while the main sandy beach is around a mile away at the end of Beach Road. You can walk or cycle between the two, drive to the beach car park or use the seasonal beach bus.
The quay remains an important part of the town. Fishing boats still operate from Wells Harbour, and children can often be seen crabbing along the harbour wall. Staithe Street runs from the quay into the town and has independent shops, cafés and restaurants, while Wells Maltings hosts films, theatre, exhibitions and other events.
Head towards the sea and the landscape changes from harbour and salt-marsh to pinewoods, dunes and sand. Wells Beach is known for the line of colourful beach huts standing in front of the trees. From here, the sand continues west towards Holkham, providing a much larger area to explore than you might expect from the town itself.
Sea View Cottages and Harbour Holiday Homes in Wells-next-the-Sea
Choosing where to stay in Wells depends partly on whether you want to be closest to the town or the beach. Properties around the quay and neighbouring streets put shops, restaurants and the harbour within easy walking distance. Some apartments and houses also overlook the harbour and salt-marshes.
Traditional cottages are found throughout the older parts of Wells, alongside larger houses suitable for families and groups. If several people are sharing a property, features such as multiple bathrooms, a larger kitchen and enough parking can make a considerable difference.
Private parking is particularly worth checking. Wells becomes busy during the main holiday periods, and older cottages in the centre do not always have parking directly outside. For families planning regular trips to other parts of North Norfolk, having a dedicated space can be a useful feature.
Some Wells holiday cottages have enclosed gardens for dogs, while others include hot tubs, terraces or outside dining areas. If a sea view is important, check exactly what the property overlooks. In Wells this could mean the harbour channel and salt-marsh rather than an open view across the beach.
Wells Harbour, Holkham and North Norfolk Coastal Days Out
You do not need to leave Wells for a day away from the beach. The quay is a popular place for crabbing, and boat trips operate from the harbour. Wells & Walsingham Light Railway also runs between Wells and the pilgrimage village of Walsingham, covering approximately four miles on a narrow-gauge railway.
Holkham is only a short distance west. Holkham Hall stands within a large park and estate where visitors can also explore the Walled Garden, hire bikes and follow walking and cycling routes. The adjoining Holkham National Nature Reserve covers beaches, dunes, salt-marshes and pine woodland.
The wider coast provides plenty more choices. Cromer, Blakeney, Sheringham and Morston are east of Wells, with boat trips operating from Morston to see the seals around Blakeney Point. Burnham Market is inland to the west, while Burnham Overy Staithe has a small harbour and access to the coast path.
Birdwatching is a major part of this section of the Norfolk coast. As well as Holkham National Nature Reserve, you can visit reserves at Cley and Titchwell, with salt-marshes, reed-beds and other coastal habitats attracting birds throughout the year.
Beach Cottages Near Wells and Holkham Beach
Wells Beach is a large sandy beach backed by dunes and pinewoods. The beach café and toilets are close to the main access point, and the distinctive beach huts begin just beyond the woods.
At low tide the amount of exposed sand can be considerable. The tide can also move quickly across parts of the beach and channels, so visitors should pay attention to tide information and local warnings rather than simply following the water as it retreats.
Walk west and Wells Beach eventually meets Holkham Beach. Holkham has another huge area of sand backed by dunes and pine woodland, with the two beaches forming part of the same extensive stretch of coast. This makes it possible to walk between Wells and Holkham along the beach and return through the pinewoods.
Dogs are welcome on much of Wells Beach throughout the year, but there is a clearly marked dog-free area close to the main entrance. At neighbouring Holkham Beach dogs are also welcome year-round, although leads are required in designated areas between 1 April and 30 August to protect ground-nesting birds.
For other beaches, Brancaster lies farther west along the North Norfolk coast, while east of Wells you can explore the shoreline around Stiffkey, Blakeney and Cley. These locations range from large sandy beaches to salt-marsh and shingle, so Wells is well placed for seeing several very different parts of the Norfolk coast during the same holiday.
