Accessible Britain

THE EAST MIDLANDS AND EAST ANGLIA
stretch linking the busy harbour of Wells-next-the-Sea to its beach and coastline makes
an easy, accessible and enjoyable stroll, with plenty to look at along the way.
Start at the harbourmaster’s office on Beach Road, from where the level asphalt
footpath heads north towards the lifeboat house and beach car park, running parallel
to the road and narrow-gauge railway line. As you follow the path, you’ll be treated to
great views of the lively harbour, full of working boats and pleasure craft, and of the
saltmarsh and sandbar running alongside it, rich in birdlife. There are plenty of rest
benches along the way, including a few with spaces for wheelchairs next to them. After
about a mile, the path reaches a steep concrete slipway that – with care – can be used to
access the sandy beach. After you’ve had your fill of the sea views, and perhaps stopped
for a bite at the Beach Café, go back the way you came.
The best place to park is at the council-run Stearmans Yard car park on Freeman
Street, about a hundred yards from the harbourside, which has ten disabled spaces –
avoid the quayside car park, which has obstructive mooring posts and an unprotected
quayside edge. Access to the path itself is ramped, with handrails where appropriate.
There’s a spacious RADAR key-accessible toilet at the start of the path, next to the
harbourmaster’s office, with an additional accessible toilet (no key required) at the
other end, in the beach car park.
FOOD & DRINK aa The accessible Beach Café (www.holkham.co.uk/stay-eat/beach-cafe)
at the north end of the path, just off the beach, serves locally produced light meals and
snacks at reasonable prices in a lovely spot, with an outdoor terrace and friendly staff.
062–063 Holkham Hall and Beach, Norfolk
Address: Holkham Estate, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AB Web: www.holkham.co.uk Tel: 01328 710227
Hours: hall: Apr–Oct Mon, Thur & Sun, plus Good Friday & Easter Sat noon–4pm; farming exhibition &
garden: Apr–Oct daily 10am–5pm; beach: daily dawn–dusk Dates: hall closed at short notice on rare
occasions, check ahead Entry: combined ticket for hall, farming exhibition & garden: [D]£15 [A]£15
[5–16s]£7.50 [Fam]£41; car park £3
A visit to Holkham is hugely rewarding. The hall, a massive Palladian mansion, is
complemented by several other attractions – the Field to Fork Farming exhibition,
a three-thousand-acre park, a lake and, of course, the expansive sands of Holkham
Beach.
The Field to Fork Farming exhibition traces the history of farming at Holkham,
exploring its origins, food production, gamekeeping and conservation, using audio
visual and interactive displays, films and authentic artefacts. The hall itself has
two must-see rooms – the magnificent Marble Hall and the Library – as well as
a restored walled garden. Outdoors, there are acres of space for children to run
around, plus a new woodland adventure play area. The lake is brimming with
wildlife, while the park is home to a herd of eight hundred fallow deer. Like the
four miles of beach, the park has many walk and cycle routes – the website has
detailed directions for every trail, as well as information on the raised boardwalks
that provide breathtaking views. The beach is part of the Holkham National Nature
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