Our love affair with Wells Next The Sea
When it comes to choosing your favourite coastal resort, be it in England , the UK or wider a field, there are plenty of options. Too many options to simply claim one coast line is simply more scenic than another. My choice as I suspect as is yours , is based on a coastal town that has truly got under the skin. Wells Next The Sea speaks to me in a way that has the ability to calm my soul and sweeten my dreams. So my choice is Wells Next The Sea and I want to share with you why.
If you have never heard of or been to Wells-next-the-Sea, it is a picturesque coastal town located on the north coast of Norfolk, England. It is part of the larger civil parish of Wells-next-the-Sea with Holkham, and it's known for its stunning natural beauty, historic charm, and thriving fishing industry.
Wells-next-the-Sea is named as such because of its proximity to the sea, specifically the North Sea. The "Wells" part of the name does not refer to water wells but is derived from the Old English word "welles," which means "spring" or "stream .
The port's history dates back to the 13th century when it was established as a trading and fishing port. Over the centuries, it played a significant role in the region's maritime trade, including exporting grain and malt and importing coal, timber, and other goods.
While it is no longer a major commercial port, the Port of Wells still supports a range of maritime activities. Commercial fishing, including crab and lobster fishing, is an important industry in the area, and you can often see fishing vessels unloading their catches on the quayside.
Today, the harbour is more commonly used for recreational boating and sailing. It provides safe mooring and facilities for both local boaters and visiting yachtsmen. The harbor also offers boat trips and charters for tourists who want to explore the surrounding coastline and wildlife.
The vast Norfolk skies are renowned, and in Wells, the sunsets and sunrises are truly worth the effort of both rising early and staying around late to witness.
One distinctive feature of Wells Harbour is its tidal nature. The harbour experiences significant tidal variations, with boats resting on the mudflats during low tide and floating when the tide comes in. This characteristic has influenced the design and use of the harbour.
Wells Harbour is situated within the North Norfolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to nature reserves and salt marshes. Conservation efforts are in place to protect the delicate ecosystem of the surrounding area, including the salt marshes and sand dunes.
The quayside area is a focal point of the port. Here, you can see fishing boats, enjoy seafood stalls selling fresh catches, and take in the picturesque views of the tidal channels and salt marshes.
The Port of Wells is a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers who come to enjoy the coastal scenery, birdwatching, and the traditional maritime atmosphere of the town.
The beach at Wells , in particular the stretch between Holkham Hall, is my favourite beach to the point where I have written into my Will my wishes that when the time comes my ashes will be scattered there. The coloured beach huts run the length of this stretch and provide a rich backdrop to the scene.
You can explore the historic streets of Wells, lined as they are with attractive Georgian and Victorian buildings. The town is also home to St. Nicholas' Church, a beautiful medieval church with a tall, distinctive tower.
Sunsets and Sunrises are a real treat , especially when the big Norfolk Skys start to make a show of it.
If you would like to see more images from this beautiful resort we have a summer collection here - https://www.behance.net/gallery/173626143/Summer-Time-in-Wells-Next-The-Sea . Alternatively there is a VLOG from our visit to Wells below with a recommendation of where to stay in the Town.
You have not been to Wells and this blog tempts you to check out why we love it so much , then our work is done here. If we can provide any further information about Wells , reach out and we will do our best to help. Helen and Martin.
