A walk around Wells-next-the-sea

 A feature from the October 2016 issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine
Suffolk Norfolk Life October 2016Click to view this issue »
Category
Nature, Places
Susannah George enjoys another walk with her two doggies Harry and Lily

We recently visited Burnham Market for the annual Craft Fair and had hoped to combine a visit to Wells-next-the-Sea but on the day the weather took a turn and it wasn’t going to be a good idea. So on this beautiful day, as it wasn’t too hot for Harry and Lily, we decided to take a trip to Wells for a nice walk. I can’t remember the last time I visited the town but it had definitely been too long. When I was in primary school we used to have trips to the pilgrimage centre at Walsingham concluding with a stop at Wells for a play on the beach and crabbing.

We parked in the pay and display car park at the end of Beach Road and headed off armed with plenty of refreshments. We opted for the flat straight walk towards the beach, which runs parallel with the miniature railway. It is approximately a mile each way and gives you the opportunity to take in the stunning views across of the harbour and the salt marshes.

Located on the North Norfolk Coast its superior location meant that in the late 16th century, Wells-Next-The-Sea was a significant port for the region. Its status as a port carried on into the early 20th century, with the Granary and loading gantry built in 1903. This has now been turned into apartments. The name Wells comes from the many spring wells that were around the town. Wells became known as Wells-next-the-Sea in the 1800s as it was needed to be distinguished from other places of the same name. The name was chosen as the town’s official title by Wells Urban District Council in 1956. In spite of its name, Wells-Next-The-Sea is actually over a mile away from the open water.

Read the full article in the October 2016 issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life Magazine
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