This pretty little town looks right out over the sea and is an excellent place to visit for a relaxed, laid-back break. But why is it so popular with tourists? Don't miss these six things, and you'll find out for yourself!
1. Good Food
Being right on the coast, as it is, Wells has the freshest and loveliest seafood selection. If you're into your fish, try Wells Crab House. It's located on the main road in, opposite the big car park where the weekend car boot sale takes place at The Ark Royal.
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The Wells Crab House has delicious, fresh food that you can tell has come straight off the boat. The service is speedy and friendly and there is a nice selection of beers on tap too!
If you decide that a seaside holiday isn't complete without fish and chips, then worry not! There are great places right along the front to get some traditional seaside grub and it's not unusual to see the queues winding out the door and along the pavement! People just can't wait to tuck in – you'll see diners lined up along the harbour front, perched on the wall with their chips.
2. The Beach
Wells Beach has been voted Times Beach of the Year for 2016. And it's little wonder why! This huge expanse of soft golden sand is perfect. When the tide goes out it stretches far and flat towards the far-away sea. It never feels crowded and is a good one for youngsters. From the car park you wander over grass-tufted sand dunes and will be greeted by a row of quaint little beach huts all backed by a beautiful pine forest.
3. Position
Wells is ideally positioned along the North Norfolk coast. It is situated in the Holkham National Nature Reserve and if you want to explore the famous coastline, you're able to get to most places easily by car. All the little towns along the coast are worth venturing to: Burnham Overy Staithe, Stiffkey, Morston, Blakeney and Cley to name just the closest ones.
For a walk, try Wells to Holkham Hall, through the pine woods and on to wells beach, continue along to Holkham beach, onto the raised walkway and up Lady Ann's Drive. You can return via the Norfolk Coast Path, keeping the pine trees on your left.
4. Birds
We all know that Norfolk is great for birdlife. So take some time out to do some brilliant bird watching. The area is particularly good for migrating and breeding bird species. Within easy distance of Wells you'll find Scolt Head Island, Holkham and Blakeney National Nature Reserves. Blakeney Point is a great place to incorporate bird-watching into a coastal walk. The Blakeney Freshes are freshwater marshes popular with wildfowl and waders!
5. Boats
You are in an ideal spot to get out and about on the water. From Wells Harbour Tours you can take one of two trips: the beach trip gives you lovely views of the shoreline and open water, or the marshes trip travels up the creek and into the marshes for a view of the various flora and fauna there. Tours take place between June and October. www.wellsharbourtours.com.
Alternatively try out one of the famous seal trips from Blakeney Point. The trips work with the tide, so times change daily, but they run every day between April and October and regularly throughout the winter. The colony of common and grey seals can usually be spotted on the sand banks at the end of the Point. You might be lucky enough to spot common seal pups between June and August, or grey seal pups between November and January. www.beansboattrips.co.uk.
6. Wells Pirate Festival
The 6th annual Wells Pirate Festival returns to the town from the 9th - 11th September 2016. This is a good one for all the family and sees activities and entertainment such as a ball, games, treasure trail and lots and lots of costumes. The idea behind the first festival was to extend the tourist season by a couple of weeks, and raise awareness of the Wells Maltings Trust redevelopment. www.wellsmaltings.org.uk.
Why not stay in Norfolk for yourself and discover all the incredible places along the coast? We have a great selection of lovely cottages to choose from.