10 Things to Do Near Wells-next-the-Sea
Updated: Sep 2
Published by Willow Cottages Norfolk
Wells-next-the-Sea is one of those places that gets under your skin. A working harbour town tucked into the North Norfolk coast, it manages to be simultaneously bustling and unhurried — the kind of place where you can eat fish and chips on a quayside wall, spot a seal bobbing in the channel, and feel genuinely far from the pressures of everyday life.
Whether you're planning a family day out, a coastal walk, a trip to Holkham, a seal-watching boat trip or simply looking for the best things to do near Wells-next-the-Sea, there is far more here than the beach alone.
Willow Cottage in Wighton is just a short drive from Wells-next-the-Sea, making it an ideal base for exploring the town, Holkham and this beautiful stretch of the North Norfolk coast. Here are ten of our favourite things to do in and around Wells.
1. Spend a Day on Wells Beach
Wells Beach is, quite simply, one of the finest beaches in England. A sweeping arc of soft golden sand backed by towering pinewoods and a row of brightly painted beach huts, it has a timeless, postcard quality that never gets old. The beach is about a mile from the town centre, so you can drive to the beach car park, walk along the sea wall or use the seasonal beach bus, which includes the much-loved 1951 Leyland Tiger alongside a newer electric vehicle.
Check the tide times before you go, as the sea comes in quickly and some stretches of beach can be cut off.
2. Go Crabbing on the Quay
If you're visiting with children, crabbing from Wells Quay is an absolute must. Pick up a line and some bait from one of the harbour shops, find your spot along the quayside, and settle in for an hour of simple, absorbing fun. It's one of those activities that somehow works just as well for adults as it does for kids. The Quay itself is the beating heart of Wells — lined with fishing boats, eateries, and the gentle chaos of a proper working harbour.
3. Explore Holkham Hall and Estate
Just west of Wells lies Holkham — one of the great English estates and a place that rewards repeat visits. The Palladian hall houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures and rare books, while outside, 25,000 acres of parkland offer walking trails, a lake with boat hire, a ropes course, a children's woodland play area, and Holkham Beach, which forms part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve. The estate also hosts outdoor cinema evenings, food festivals and seasonal events throughout the year. Set aside a full day.
4. Ride the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway to Walsingham
Claimed to be the world's smallest public railway, the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway is a genuine delight. The narrow gauge steam train trundles four miles through the Norfolk countryside from Wells to the village of Walsingham, passing over bridges, alongside a hillfort and through a ghost platform along the way. The journey takes around 30 minutes each way and is as atmospheric as it sounds. Walsingham itself — a famous medieval pilgrimage site with a beautiful ruined priory — is well worth exploring once you arrive. If you're staying at Robin Hood Cottage, you're in luck: Walsingham Station is just a minute's walk from the front door, making this one of the most charming ways to travel down to Wells for the day.
5. Take a Seal Boat Trip from Morston
A short drive east along the coast from Wells, Morston Quay is the departure point for boat trips to Blakeney Point, home to England's largest grey seal colony. Hundreds of seals haul out on the sandbanks here, and in winter the pups are a truly special sight.
Several operators run trips from Morston, and it's advisable to book ahead during peak season. The journey across the harbour and out through the channels is an experience in itself.
In winter, thousands of grey seal pups are born along the Point, making late autumn and winter particularly special times to go.
6. Walk the Norfolk Coast Path
The Norfolk Coast Path passes directly through Wells and continues for many miles in both directions along the Norfolk coast, offering some of the finest coastal walking in England. Head west and you'll pass through the pinewoods before reaching Holkham Beach. Head east and the path leads through the salt marshes towards Stiffkey and Morston, with wide open skies and abundant birdlife for company. The full path stretches 84 miles from Hunstanton to Hopton, but even a section of a few miles is deeply rewarding. Good boots and a tide table are your friends.
7. Watch the Wildlife at Holkham National Nature Reserve
North Norfolk is one of the best birdwatching destinations in the UK, and the Holkham National Nature Reserve — which stretches either side of Wells — is at the heart of it. The reserve's mix of salt marshes, dunes, pinewoods and grazing meadows attracts an extraordinary range of species, including marsh harriers, avocets, bitterns, and vast flocks of winter geese arriving from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. Even if you're not an avid birder, the scale and wildness of this landscape is something to behold.
8. Go Alpaca Trekking by the Coast
One of Wells's more unexpected attractions, alpaca trekking has become genuinely popular — and it's easy to see why. You'll be paired with a friendly, curious alpaca and led along bridleways and coastal paths with stunning views across the salt marshes. Your guide will share the history of the area as you walk, and at the end your alpaca will accept a piece of chopped apple as a well-earned thank you. A wonderfully unusual way to spend a morning, and suitable for children and adults alike.
9. Eat and Drink Your Way Around Wells
Wells punches well above its weight for food. On the Quay, French's fish and chip shop has been an institution since 1923, and the Frary Shellfish Stall — selling dressed crabs, cockles, whelks and mussels — has been a fixture since 1957. Frary's also features in our guide to the best local farm shops, markets and delis in North Norfolk.
Also on the Quay, Flour is a popular Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant using long-fermented dough and a rotating Marana Forni oven. Better still, they deliver to selected postcodes on certain days, making them a great option for an easy evening in at the cottage.
For something more special, The Chandlery is a harbour-side restaurant and wine bar overlooking the salt marshes, with a menu rooted in Norfolk produce and an excellent wine list. It also features in our guide to the best restaurants in North Norfolk.
For something more relaxed, head up to The Buttlands, a handsome Georgian green at the heart of the town, where The Crown and The Globe both serve excellent food in convivial surroundings. The town also has a lovely selection of independent delis, cafés and ice cream shops to keep you fuelled between adventures.
10. Take a Harbour Tour by Boat
For a different perspective on Wells, climb aboard one of the harbour tour boats and see the town, the salt marshes and the beach from the water. Trips typically last around an hour, with different departures available depending on the season. The skippers know these waters intimately and are full of local stories and history.
Where to Stay Near Wells-next-the-Sea
Our three luxury holiday cottages in Wighton, Binham and Little Walsingham are all well placed for exploring Wells-next-the-Sea and the surrounding North Norfolk coast.
Willow Cottage in Wighton is particularly convenient, just a short drive from Wells and sleeping up to eight guests. Robin Hood Cottage in Little Walsingham sleeps up to ten and can be combined with Stable Cottage for larger groups, while Mill Barn in Binham provides a peaceful base between Wells, Holt and the coast.
