Most of the pictures you see of Wells-next-the-Sea concentrate on the beach huts. No idea why. Maybe because the town is a mile from the beach, down the path on top of the sea wall, hence next-the-sea and not on sea.
Friday 29th September
When we were thinking about our next holiday, we wanted somewhere on the coast but reasonably flat as the coastal paths of Cornwall might be too difficult for me these days. We had never been to the Norfolk coast and Wells-next-the-Sea looked nice. We started off on Friday 29th September, later than we would normally go in that month. Alison drove all the way and, despite leaving the M25 early to avoid a stationary queue, and a very slow stretch through the centre of Swaffham, we were in Wells in 3hours and 15 minutes. We parked at Wells Beach Car Park outside the town with just a short walk to the harbour.
We walked from the front up Staithe Street where most of the shops are situated. We had a look in a few then walked on the paths around grassed area of The Buttlands before heading back. We arrived at flint Drift at 3.45pm to unpack and watch the end of day one of the Ryder Cup. It had been mainly sunny all day and a very pleasant 18C.
Saturday 30th September
A beautiful sunny morning found us walking down into the centre and the harbour before taking the long straight path along the quayside of the estuary (the tide was out so the boats were all grounded), heading for the Coastguard and Lifeboat Station and to where the beach starts.
Past the end of the huts we turned round and found a nice place in the dunes to eat our lunch. Back down the long path we found a bench in the sun before back into Wells centre for take out coffees and watched some football as Wells Town reserves were playing at an attractive ground just below the harbour wall.
We were back mid afternoon and some more golf on the laptop. There were clear blue skies in the morning and cloudier after lunch. A very nice 18C.
Sunday 1st October
After a walk to the main Co-Op to get a paper, we were off to Hunstanton. We parked at the cliff top car park and walked down to the steps which lead to the shingle beach. We (but mainly Alison) were very taken by the formation of the cliffs and the longish fairly deserted walk beneath them. We took lots of photos and researched it on the internet. We guessed most people park in more central Hunstanton as the beach was fairly deserted, but this was by far our favourite part of the day.
The beach itself was of geological interest.
So it actually took over an hour along the beach to reach the centre. We walked along the promenade (straight out of scene from the 1950's) before it was time to find a cafe for some lunch. In the end, The Copper Kettle was perfect.
The walk back through the gardens and along the top of the cliffs was very pleasant, the Wolf Trail is interesting.
We stopped at a viewpoint and met people from Buckinghamshire who were there on holiday. The map below shows how Hunstanton actually faces west, and that was why we could see the coastline opposite and the windfarm out at sea.
Then back at 4.30pm, just in time to see the winning put at the Ryder Cup. It had been mostly cloudy but dry with a light breeze and 17C was fine.
Monday 2nd October
A quiet morning for me and Alison going for a run. Then a stroll down to the harbour in the late morning and grabbing a take away coffee from Wells Deli and luckily found a bench at the start of the path to the beach. It was plenty warm enough next to the East Fleet inlet.
Then back to the harbour and along to the Lobster Hatchery.
Back for lunch at 2pm then out again into Wells centre an hour later. On the way back it started to drizzle but we were back at the house before the heavy rain later. Up to then it had been mainly sunny and 18C. In the evening we watched Fulham v Chelsea on Sky Sports.
Tuesday 3rd October
Starting with a walk down to the harbour and then along East Fleet to see the high tide I previously missed, before starting out for Sheringham at 11.45am. The 35 minute drive seemed a lot longer with all the bends and narrow roads through villages, and this was the A149! We parked in the main car park next to the station and walked down past all the shops to the seafront. The tide was on it's way out but all we could see of the beach was shingle. That was until after a short walk along the exceptional promenade, the sandy beach was beginning to be uncovered. Superb sand, beautiful and smooth. Alison went down the rocks to the sea, but too steep there for me. some great photos.
Continuing down the almost deserted promenade, we ended up at the lifeboat station and took these photos.
Time to walk back to the centre and find somewhere for lunch. We ended up at The Little Theatre for teacakes and a cuppa.
When we then found our way back to the front and this time turned right, there were steps down to the now wide sandy beach. We used our mats and found a smooth rock to sit down, watching the gulls and the waves. Hardly a sole on the beach to interrupt our view.
Then later, along the promenade the other way and views of it going off into the distance.
Amazingly, we were running out of the four hours we had booked at the car park so we made our way back at 4.30pm via a small Sainsburys for some provisions. After that early rain from the night before, the day turned out to be bright and sunny, chilly breeze along the front but 16C was otherwise fine.
Thinking back, I know we went to Sheringham when I was maybe 4 or 5, John being 3 or 4. So I did want to know if there was anything I recognised. There wasn't. Did we go by train? If we were were living in Totley, Dad had no transport. Who knows. But I did find some old photos which could well be this Sheringham holiday to go on a separate post.
We finished the day with fish and chips at Pattens in Wells, great cod but poor chips. We walked back along a deserted Staithe Street in the dusk.
Wednesday 4th October
Another rest for me in the morning with Alison out for a run. In the afternoon we parked in the big car park at the end of Beach Road and headed out on the North Norfolk Coastal Path.
Unfortunately this was quite boring through the pine woods. But a good path and on the level. On the way back we found the steps over the massive sand dunes that run along the back of the beach. (The same dunes we tried and failed to cross at the end of the coast path).
The beach was very quiet in the late afternoon and absolutely gorgeous. (So different to how busy it was on Saturday). The tide was out leaving a vast expanse of sand.
We walked past the beach huts to these dunes. The sea is in the distance.
We turned around and made our way back to the lifeboat station, our 2 hours parking was running out. It had been a lovely day, lots of sun and 17C. In the evening we watched City beat Leipzig in the Campions League.
Thursday 5th October
We decided not to go to Holkham Hall as planned, and instead walked down to the harbour but this time turned right and along East Quay. This follows the East Fleet inlet until the road turns away and we are back on a superb raised section of the coastal path. This runs along the top of the huge man made embankment of sea defences. Not that far out of town but absolutely superb.
What a great decision to come here. Back to the town and a quiet Wells Deli. Wish we could pack it up and take it home. I had a ham and cheese croissant and Alison a very nice vegan roll with excellent mango chutney. Then along the harbour and find Alison's traditional ice cream cornet. Hers always rum and raisin and mine vanilla and choc chip. We were lucky again to find a bench near the boats. Again not cold. Then a slow walk back to the house. Alison going off to the beach and me having a rest and updating this blog. The day had been fine, light cloud, odd sun and 17C. Lovely.
Later it was time to do some packing for an early start home in the morning. We had been extremely lucky with the weather, only some rain once overnight. Not bad for the first week in October.
Friday 6th October
We left at just before 9am and were home in 2hours and 54 minutes. No hold ups and we have never been home so early. Norfolk is much closer than Cornwall or the Lake District.
Just a few notes about the house where we stayed, 3 Flint Drift. Great value for money, spacious, excellent parking, very quiet, comfortable beds, massive tv, internet, good hot water, so that was all good. However, the house did seem tired and in need of updating. The huge kitchen as a result of a rear extension had lots of cupboards although doors and drawers were awkward. Crockery, cups and glasses were all in different places. The sofas were low and uncomfortable. The welcome pack did not have milk. Washing up liquid was in the tiniest tube. The front door lock sometimes took an age to get the key right. Not a patch on the National Trust properties we were used to, but a lot cheaper. So good value overall.
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