WELLS next the SEA

Despite its name, Wells next the sea is situated a good mile or so from open water. In Tudor times, when it enjoyed much easier access to the sea, it was one of the great ports of eastern England. It’s still one of the most attractive towns on the North Norfolk coast, and the only one to remain a commercially viable port. It features many narrow lanes nicely sheltered from the offshore winds and makes a very good base for exploring the surrounding coastline. The town divides into three distinct areas, starting with Buttlands, a broad rectangular green, lined with lime trees and some very fine Georgian houses. Next are the narrow lanes of the town centre with Staithe Street having some interesting shops for browsing. At the bottom end of Staithe Street stands the quay and harbour, with a rash of amusement arcades. The harbour itself is lined with boats with the landmark Granary marking the mid-point. The name of Wells derives from the old word 'welles' meaning a clear spring of which Wells used to have many, rising through the sand and wells in the area. The addition of 'next-the-Sea' was to distinguish the town from other places in Norfolk of the same name. The town has many attractions and facilities including 2 steam railways, hotels, pubs, tea-rooms and countless shops. Wells has recently been made famous by the ITV drama Kingdom, where it makes up one half of a fictitious Norfolk town called Market Shipborough (the other half being Swaffham).

We start our tour of Wells by parking the car - not easy on a busy Bank Holiday! The large car park by the beach has loads of space and plenty of facilities.

The nearby sandy beach is backed by woods and has some colourful beach huts.

The alternative to walking, is to ride the Wells Harbour Railway (WHR). Steam and diesel trains operate on 10¼” gauge track, transporting passengers the mile from the beach to the town centre. This service operates from mid-March to mid-October. See this website for more information - Wells Harbour Railway Online

The WHR station near the coast is adjacent to Pinewoods Holiday Park.

The WHR station near town is close to a golf pitch and putt.

Boats of all shapes and sizes are moored in the channel, with access via tender when the water is deep enough!

The channel provides access to Wells harbour and quay. Moored in the harbour is the Albatros, one of the oldest sailing ships still afloat. This beautiful ship was built in Rotterdam in 1899 and used as a cargo ship, exporting grain from Denmark to Sweden and even assisted Jewish refugees with their escape from Nazi Germany during WW2. In 1983 Tonn Brouwer purchased the ship and she was used to carry Soya beans from Belgium to Wells-next-the-sea for a Norfolk agricultural merchant. The Albatross then served Greenpeace as an environmental study centre for schoolchildren, before becoming a tourist attraction and used for private charter.

Pontoons for the mooring of visiting boats at Wells

At the mid-point is the famous landmark of Wells, a large granary with loading gantry, which was built around 1905. The granary has now been turned into luxury flats, the majority with magnificent views. The quay is still used by fishing boats that you can see unloading their catch, including inshore crab, whelk, sea trout and bass.

Most of the road along the quay is lined with amusement arcades and chip shops, however the People Tree is different, selling musical instruments, soft furnishings, furniture and other items from around the world.

Moving up into the town, Staithe Road runs up from the quay and is the main shopping street in Wells. It has all kinds of shops, selling all kinds of goods - some of the shops have really inventive names - its a great place to just wander and browse, but it does get really busy during peak season.

Wells town centre has pretty streets, with plenty of facilities, including banks, pubs, cafes, and cottages for hire.

At the top of Staithe Street is the grassy rectangle of Buttlands - where the locals used to practice their archery! Around the edge of the square you will find some lovely Georgian property. In two corners you will find classy inns, offering drinks, bar food and a room for the night - The Globe - and The Crown (a former coaching inn). Various events are held in the square during the year, such as Morris Dancing in May.

The parish church of St. Nicholas is located on the outskirts of Wells. This large church is almost entirely Victorian, its medieval predecessor was destroyed in a fire in 1879.

On the road out of Wells is the Big Sky gallery, which sells all kinds of different items that have been created in Norfolk. It is well worth a look on your way out of Wells.

Close to the Big Blue Sky on the outskirts of Wells is the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway, which takes visitors on a 4 mile journey from Wells to Walsingham. The railway was one man's passionate dream, hard work and sheer determination - Lt. Cmdr. Roy Francis. In 1979 he started to construct the WWLR on the 4 miles of old Great Eastern track bed from Wells to Walsingham. Work was completed in 1982 and on 6th April services began on schedule making it the longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world. In 1987 a new unique 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Garratt locomotive "Norfolk Hero" came into service and has a seating capacity of 76. See the WWLR website for running times.

Walsingham Railway