Wells-Next-The-Sea (beach huts and pine woods)
Wells-next-the-Sea (the add-on name was created to avoid confusion with the Somerset city of Wells) is a pretty town on the north Norfolk coast, with sandy beaches and pastel-coloured beach huts. The tidal creek offers changing views throughout the day. Barbecues are banned on beaches and local woods.
The town has a little steam train, where you can take a four-mile trip to the religious village of Walsingham, known as ‘England’s Nazareth’.
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
Join the campaign to ban flying rings, to help local seals.
The 1953 Great Flood killed many people on the East coast. Local police officers Charles Lewis and Leonard Deptford received George medals for heroic rescues, including a bedridden elderly couple, and a local dog.
During summer, a warning ‘hide tide’ siren sounds for four hours, to keep visitors safe.
Originally the harbour was a major grain port (ships would sail as far away as Iceland), but today it’s more for leisure (the Granary is now a series of luxury apartments). The name comes from the clear freshwater springs that rise through the local areas’ sedimentary chalk.
Towns and villages near Wells-next-the-Sea
Sheringham is a pretty town, known for its indie shops. It had a huge 13-year battle to stop Tesco opening a superstore, which it lost (the council voted it in). Recently it voted down to open a Dominoes pizza (there are 40 indie food shops in the town) but this decision was overturned by government?
Residents are furious. Already there is a Gregg’s next to Morrison’s petrol station, with locals concerned over plastic sauce pot litter, and that this affluent and unique town is turning into a ‘mini Great Yarmouth’.
Cromer is less pretty but it has a lovely beach, and interesting pier. It also has a fascinating lifeboat museum, which profiles Henry Blogg, a modest man who rescued many people during his lifetime, including a huge dog called Monty (named after the ship) that stayed with him for the rest of his life.
Blakeney is home to England’s prettiest boat harbour, and England’s largest grey seal colony. Previously a bustling port, it has a unique Church with two towers (one at the west and one used by sailors from the east to navigate the channel).
It also has a unique affordable housing project, pioneered by a local resident in 1946 who bought five derelict cottages as ‘tumbledown’ Housing Aid.
