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Wells WaterThe beach is at the end of the beach bank and can be accessed by foot, by car into the Pay & Display beach car park, or by using the seasonal bus service. The sandy beach stretches all the way to Holkham. As an alternative to the busy Quay, the slipway opposite the cottage can be used for crabbing. The slipway can also be used at low tide to access the marshes and sand opposite the cottage. Please find below a message from the Wells Lifeboat crew: The most frequent rescues are to people and animals that get cut off by the tide. Please take care when crossing the channel or venturing out on to the sands and marsh. Remember the marsh is a nature reserve and a fragile environment and should be respected. The safe option is to keep to the footpath. Ask, if you don't know what time the tide comes in and if you walk out to the water's edge, occasionally glance backwards to make sure the water is not coming in behind you. Also, if you hear a warning siren, that's to warn you the tide is on the turn and coming in and you should return to safety immediately.
Wells RNLI have published water safety information www.wellslifeboat.org/safety/WellsWaterSafetyMap.pdf, part of which is found below:
Please pay attention to the warning signs regarding the tide. Make sure you are back to the main part of the beach / dry sand / land at least 4 hours before Wells Bar high tide time. A siren is sounded when the tide is coming in and there is a danger of being trapped on the wrong side of the channel, either at the beach or opposite the cottage.
While you are enjoying our beautiful coastline, full of beautiful sights and sounds, please remember that you are in a very special place. The North Norfolk coast is internationally important for it's wildlife and habitats, it is protected under national and international environmental law.
To this end, The Wash and North Norfolk Marine Partnership (WNNMP) and Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) have recently produced a Wild Recreation Guide, which you will find in the cottage, which serves to promote best practice amongst those undertaking outdoor recreational activities in the area.
As part of the Wild Recreation Guide, here is their Coastal Code
Local Attractions
CrabbingA traditional activity in Wells, do join in with crabbing from the quay, or from one of the slipways. Please remember though to be kind to these creatures. Try to avoid plastic, and please remember to take your equipment home with you, don't leave it in the water.
Holkham BeachThe beach can be accessed by car from Lady Anne’s
Road in Holkham; there is a charge for parking. The beach can also
be accessed by walking along Wells beach or through the pine trees
that run behind the beach. There is now a Visitor Centre at Holkham, The Lookout, which highlights the diversity of the reserve and has interactive displays about the reserve and it's wildlife. The building aims to increase awareness on how visitors can play their part to protect the reserve. The Lookout serves drinks and snacks, and has toilets. The walk along this unspoilt stretch of
coast line can be continued all the way to Burnham Overy, be aware
there is a Naturist Beach between Holkham and Burnham!
Wells LifeboatThe lifeboat station houses an all-weather lifeboat and an inshore lifeboat. Regular open days and open evenings are held with visits onboard and a chance to meet the volunteer crew members.
Walsinghams Bicycle HireSituated on Staithe Street this amazing shop sells hardware, gifts, toys, homeware, fishing equipment and more. Bicycle hire available for flexible time periods. Tel: 01328 710438
Wells Bike HireBike hire available all year round. Helmets and locks provided, child bikes and child seats also available. Maps and ideas also provided.
Cockle Bay E-Bike HireBike hire available all year round with electric power-assist e-bikes. Minimum age 14 years old. Helmets provided, and a quick tutorial.
Wells and Walsingham Light RailwayRide on the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world. There is free parking at Wells Station, and services operate frequently. Dogs are welcome, and under 4s travel free.
Screen-next-the-Sea and The MaltingsThe theatre, in the newly refurbished Maltings, offers a programme of theatre, comedy and music. The theatre is also the home of cinema in Wells which is now showing live screenings from The National Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, Royal Opera House and The Bolshoi Ballet. Tickets for the Maltings events can be booked online. Cinema tickets can be booked online, at the Tourist Office, or by telephoning 01328 710885.
The Maltings also houses the Heritage Centre, with information about the historic malt trade, the importance of the fishing industry and the history of Wells lifeboat. Included in the exhibits is a model of the boatyard that our family owned.
Alpaca TrekkingFor a truly enjoyable and unforgettable experience become an alpaca trekker for the day by taking one or more of our groups of alpacas for a walk along the bridleways and coastal paths here at Wells-next-the-Sea & Stiffkey. With stunning views across the saltmarshes to the sea, your guide for the day will tell you of the history of this part of our beautiful coastline as we walk along the tracks and ways. Treks can be from 1 to 3.5 hours in duration and you may wish to bring a picnic on the longer treks for which time can be made to stop.
Lobster HatcheryWells Fishermen's Association, in association with Wells Harbour Commissioners, have started a lobster hatchery on the Quay. They are passionate about protecting the fishery for the local community, for future generations of fisherman, and maintaining the long standing heritage of Wells remaining a fishing port. Lobsters are reared in the hatchery and then released. The hatchery will also enable us to open new and exciting ways to promote conservation, research and education. It will be open to the public, via a booking system, at various times in the season. There may also be opportunities to help at feeding time. Check the Port of Wells Facebook page for the latest information
The Poppy Line, Sheringham to Weybourne to HoltThe North Norfolk
Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel
trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk
designated as being of outstanding natural beauty. With three beautifully
restored century-old stations, the Poppy Line is one of the UK's
most scenic heritage railways. Tel: 01263 820800
Warham CampWarham Camp is an Iron Age hill fort with steep banks and deep ditches, and has some of the most impressive earthworks in the country. The camp is on a rise overlooking the River Stiffkey.
Langham DomeBuilt in 1942 – 43 on the edge of RAF Langham, this intriguing building utilised innovative technology to train anti-aircraft gunners. Long before digital virtual reality was invented, moving images projected onto the inside of the Dome taught brave trainees how to shoot down enemy aircraft successfully. Seventy years after the end of World War 2, a visit to the Dome offers a unique opportunity to journey back in time and experience what life was like for those who served at RAF Langham. The dome features displays; videos; activities and games for children and knowledgeable volunteers. Open 2-3 days a week, check website for details.
RAF Sculthorpe Heritage CentreThe Heritage Centre at Wicken Green is usually open on one Sunday per month. RAF Sculthorpe was North Norfolk's only USAF atomic base; at one time home to 10,000 personnel, and the most important atomic deterrent against the Soviet Union. The Centre relives the 50 year history of RAF Sculthorpe, with pictures, books and items all connected to Sculthorpe. Also, an excellent selection of modern aircraft, and a dressup area.
RAF Bircham Newton Heritage CentreThe Heritage Centre has been equipped with donated RAF memorabilia, such as photographs, maps, squadron shields, medals, aircraft models, paintings, drawings and written historical records from Bircham Newton's past. One important exhibit within the Centre is a large history board listing all of the commanding officers from 1918 until 1962. It also provides details of the most important squadrons that served at Bircham Newton during World War 2, together with their squadron commanders. The Heritage Centre has many unique historical photographs on display, including some from the very early days of the Royal Air Force. Other items of interest include aircraft models, airfield plans, medals, flying logbooks and original paintings and drawings by various artists. Open some Sundays and every Bank Holiday.
Rescue Wooden Boats Maritime Heritage CentreThe centre in Stiffkey tells the story of Dunkirk veteran local lifeboat Lucy Lavers. There are videos and displays of our fishing and wooden boat building heritage, including crab fishing, whelk fishing, and fishing life and communities. There are a number of fishing artifacts and photographs in the centre which have been lent or given to us. Open weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays April - October.
East Anglian Methodist Heritage CentreThe Heritage Centre is housed in the former Primitive Methodist Church in Wighton. The centre is a treasure trove of Methodist history, explaining the development of the church over the past 200 years through documents, artefacts, ceramics and pictures collected from across East Anglia. The centre is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 11am-3pm and is free to visit.
Pensthorpe Natural ParkLovely contemporary
gardens by Dutch designer and now home to the BBC’s Springwatch
TV series. Waterfowl and wildfowl collections with information centre,
conservation shop, adventure play area, walks, nature trails and a
licensed restaurant and Wensum discovery tour.
BewilderwoodAn award winning forest of wild family fun
and adventure near Hoveton. Treehouse, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs,
boat trips, storytelling, marsh walks.
Dinosaur Adventure ParkA monster day out set in 100 acres
of woodland in Lenwade. Dinosaur Trail, Secret Animal Garden, adventure play
areas and lots more.
Cromer Lifeboat MuseumRNLI Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer. Aimed at adults and children alike, this inspiring museum tells the story of Henry Blogg 'the greatest lifeboatman of all time'. Together with his crew, he risked his life to rescue 873 people from the sea. While visiting the Lifeboat Museum, don’t forget to visit RNLI Cromer lifeboat which is situated at the end of Cromer Pier.
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Tourist Information Centre, The Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells. Tel: 01328 710885
