East of England Visitor Guide

WELLS NEXT THE SEA
Sitting at the quay crabbing - or gillieing, is a
longstanding tradition for holidaymakers at
Wells-next-the-Sea.
Wells, with its small working harbour, is
dominated by a 100-year-old granary building,
whose gantry overhangs the harbourfront as a
reminder of past glories.
The town is also known for its sweeping
sandy beach and the stilt-high huts in primary
colours that look out across the beach at the
mouth of the harbour.
A great way to travel through the area is by
using the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway,
which is the longest 10 inch narrow gauge line
in the world. This runs from Wells to the holy
village of Walsingham, where pilgrims come to
this day to worship at the Roman Catholic and
Anglican shrines.
A short distance from Wells is Holkham estate,
with its stately Palladian mansion, Bygones
Museum, deer park and Holkham beach. This
part of North Norfolk forms part of the largest
coastal nature reserve in England and Wales.
The town is a network of narrow streets, old
alleys and yards. Some of the town’s buildings
are hundreds of years old, and many,
including former coaching inns and public
houses, are listed buildings.
Wells-next-the-Sea and indeed the whole of
the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty is a haven for twitchers. Bitterns and
terns, oyster catchers, avocets and marsh harriers
are among the species which make this part
of North Norfolk a prime site for birdwatching.