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Stay-next-the-Sea, Wells-next-the-Sea, beach hut hire, North Norfolk

My local tips

Wells Granary reflected

Wells beach was named Sunday Times “Beach of the Year” in 2016 and it’s easy to see why. The wide-open skies, the sense of freedom even on a busy summer’s day, the sweep of colourful huts against the pine forest. Located a mile from the harbour, you can walk, hire bikes or e-bikes, or drive to the beach car park (payment by card or cash).

EATING

If you plan to eat out, the Wells Crab House definitely needs booking, as does Friday night Fizz & Chips at the The Crown, one of our personal favourites.

The Fleece has a fantastic takeaway menu, or you could also order one of the following to be delivered to Sea Pink or one of the huts: 

We also have good supermarkets, delis, a bakery, butcher and fishmonger in Wells, as well as the seafood kiosk on the quay. Many choices for ice cream, plus frozen cocktails from Swirl Norfolk. Excellent farmer’s market at Creake Abbey on the first Saturday of each month.

GETTING ON THE WATER

I’d highly recommend a boat trip of some kind, to see the town, salt marsh and the beach from the water. All contact details in the guest folder when you book, but they include:

  • Sail North Norfolk – new for 2022, sail with me from Blakeney, Morston or Cley for wildlife-watching, sailing instruction, wild swimming, a picnic at a remote spot, or a potter to another harbour.
  • Wells Harbour Tours – trips from only £15. NB you can take a picnic and bottle of wine.
  • Coastal Exploration Company – magical sailing adventures into the marsh and beyond with food included. I’m one of their skippers! 
  • Curlew Coastal Charters – trips from Wells towards Holkham bay on ex-lifeboat and ex-Dunkirk Little Ship the Lucy Lavers.
  • Seal trip – four different companies operating from Morston. I can also skipper individual sailing trips to see them – book via Neil Thompson’s Boats.
  • Fishing trips with Ben Riches
  • Kayak or stand-up paddle board hire from Neil Thompson’s Boats, who will drop them plus life jackets to the East Quay.
  • Stand-up paddle board tours with Barefoot Wells, tours or hire with Northshore, Brancaster Boards or North Norfolk Paddle Boards.
  • Wild Yoga with Emilie.
  • Kite surfing lessons or paddle board hire with Annalisa, Hunstanton.

WILDLIFE WATCHING

Sailing/boat trips are a great way to see the best of our coastal birds. Highlights include terns diving from April, skeins of pink-footed geese from September, spoonbills feeding and marsh harriers gliding.

You can also book a wildlife safari with my wildlife cameraman friend Martin Hayward-Smith. He has a network of hides on private land and secret spots for observing our birds, mammals, and butterflies. Picnic and cake included.

Local OS map and walks books available for use by guests. To find solitude and wildlife independently, you don’t have to walk far.

SPORT

Swimming pool at the school, sailing (as above), tennis courts, parkrun at Holkham Hall, lots of great running and cycling routes on your doorstep including at Holkham.

COMMUNITY-NEXT-THE-SEA

As well as the landscape, it’s the lively community feel that makes Wells special – the historic fishing fleet landing the day’s catch on the harbour wall, the sailing club ‘sharpies’ racing past the lifeboat shed, and children ‘gillying’ for crabs.

Wells has a rich calendar for art and culture. Live theatre screenings with Screen-next-the-Sea, music and theatre at Wells Maltings and Holkham Hall, and and the popular annual calendar of events, including Wells Carnival, Sea Fever poetry festival, and the magical Wells Christmas Tide.

For more ideas see the Wells Guide website.

Or The independent retailers along Staithe Street are a joy to browse. Including the Alder Tree, which stocks my first wallpaper design! The design features boats sailed on the North Norfolk coast.

Wells beach was named Sunday Times “Beach of the Year” in 2016 and it’s easy to see why.