Visit
Wells-next-the-Sea Beach
Candy coloured beach huts,backed by pine woods.
Heading to the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea is a highlight on everybody’s calendar.
Perfect for high days and holidays during the balmy summer months, children enjoy building sandcastles and collecting shells, whilst adults can watch on from their beach towel or deckchair. The Wells Beach Café and toilets are close by, and you can even hire a beach hut for the day – perfect for a special occasion. Through autumn, winter and spring, the beach is an ideal dog walking destination, with the sand and sky stretching for miles. If you walk far enough you’ll reach Holkham Beach, where you can stop off for a drink and a bite to eat at The Lookout, before returning via the footpath through the pinewoods. We simply believe there is no where quite like it, and we’re confident you’ll feel the same.
Plan your visit to Wells-next-the-Sea Beach
Parking charges apply at Beach Road car park, paid at a pay and display machine:
Up to 2 hours: £3.60, Up to 4 hours: £7, Over 4 hours and all day: £13.50
Purchase of an all-day ticket allows free parking on the same day in Holkham Park during the visitor season.
When the car park is full, you’ll be directed to Wells Town Car Park. It is ¾ of a mile to the beach, or a bus service is available, fares apply.
Car park opening times vary throughout the year depending on the season. Please check all opening times here.
Use the postcode NR23 1DR to reach Beach Road car park. Parking charges apply, this is a pay and display car park. Attendants are on duty, and you’ll find their office at the toilet block, should you need assistance.
The Beach Café sits next to the car park.
The beach is accessed either to the right of the Beach Café, over a tarmac slope (this takes you to the dog-free zone), or through the pine woods with two access ways via wooden stairs, and one via a wooden slope (these take you to the dog area of the beach).
There is also a toilet block at the far end of the woods, next to the slope.
Wells Beach Café
Wells Beach Café is a much-loved spot between the car park and the beach – the ideal pit stop before or after your time on the sand.
The café serves a selection of hot and cold drinks, pastries, sandwiches, pizza, cakes… oh and our infamous sausage rolls!
Wells Beach Bus
All aboard…Hop onto the Wells Beach Bus!
Our bus service includes a fully electric bus and a 1951 Leyland Tiger.
The bus service runs most days from Easter until October – click here for a timetable
Our buses take passengers (and dogs) from the football club car park in Wells town down to the beach.
On the busiest days we will aim to run both buses.
See the FAQs below to find out more.
Dogs on Wells Beach
Dogs are welcome on Wells Beach, and it’s the perfect place for sandy paws and shallow paddles!
Please be aware there is a small section of beach at the eastern end that is designated dog-free.
At certain times of year, you are asked to please keep your dog on a lead to help protect ground nesting birds. This is in the area closer to Holkham Beach. Find out more and see a map here.
Hire a beach hut
You can hire one of the colourful beach huts in Wells from our team at Pinewoods Holiday Park.
This is a great way to make your days on the beach even more relaxing, since you know you’ve got a spot for storing your beach essentials, to sit back and chill, and to shelter from any wind, rain or strong sunshine.
Wells-next-the-Sea Beach FAQs
Where can I park if I want to visit Wells Beach?
We have two car parks in Wells, Wells Town car park sits near to the quay and is within walking distance to the main high street. Beach Road car park sits at the top of the harbour at the beach.
Where shall I park if Beach Road car park is full?
When Beach Road car park is full, you will be directed back to Wells Town car park which is used as an overflow. You can choose to walk the sea wall back to the beach, or hop on the beach bus.
Is Wells Beach Café run by Holkham?
Yes, the Beach Café is one of three Holkham cafés.
See our Places to Eat page to learn more.
Is Wells-next-the-Sea dog friendly?
Yes, you will find a lot of the town dog-friendly. Wells Beach Café is well-known for being one of the most dog-friendly places on the coast where your four-legged friends are welcome inside and out.
Dogs are also allowed on Wells Beach, but please be aware there is a small section of beach at the eastern end that is designated dog-free.
Can I bring a BBQ to Wells or Holkham Beach?
No. The use of barbeques, fires, stoves and sky lanterns are strictly prohibited on all our beaches, and in the pine woods and Holkham Park too.
Can I metal detect on Wells Beach?
N
o, we do not allow metal detecting.
The primary reason for this approach is that parts of Holkham Estate land is protected by important conservation designations, most notably but not exclusively some areas are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which are determined by Natural England. Certain designations afford the land special protection from specific activities, this stipulates that metal detecting is not permitted both on Holkham Estate land and on Crown Estate land including the foreshore.
To avoid any misunderstanding for all concerned we apply this consistent approach to all areas of Holkham Estate and all expressions of interest from metal detectorists, even where the land is under the plough or below the tide line and managed by the Crown Estate.
Whilst we recognise that metal detecting is a popular and growing hobby, we would ask that you kindly respect this position. You may find the NCMD website useful in finding other sites that may be able to help with your interest.
Wells Beach Bus FAQs
How much do tickets cost?
£2 for adults and £1 for under 16s.
We offer single fares only. These are payable by card.
Is there a timetable?
The service will remain flexible to accommodate demand and weather conditions, rather than following a set timetable.
When does the service run?
The buses run daily between Easter and October.
The electric bus runs throughout the season. The vintage, open-top Leyland Tiger makes an appearance at weekends on high days and holidays.
Can I bring my dog on the bus?
Yes – both our electric bus and the vintage Leyland Tiger are dog-friendly. Please keep them on a lead… and leave seats free for human passengers!
Are the buses accessible for wheelchairs?
The electric bus lowers to kerb height with an access ramp.
Unfortunately the Leyland Tiger does not have the ability to lower to kerb height.
Is the train still running?
No, the harbour railway which previously connected Wells town to Pinewoods was sold by the previous owners. We wanted to ensure that the replacement offered a better – and generally more sustainable – service.
Our electric bus, which is the main mode of transport, takes passengers from the town all the way to the roundabout at the end of Beach Road, meaning you will be dropped off even closer to the beach, Wells Beach Café and the toilets!
We know that the Wells Harbour Railway was a highlight for many locals and holiday-makers. Our 1951 open-top Leyland Tiger offers a unique, fun and memorable experience.
Where are the pick-up and drop-off points?
The bus stop in the town is at the football club car park, at the end of Beach Road and close to Wells quay.
The bus will take passengers to end of Beach Road, close to the public toilets and path to the beach. This is where you will be collected for the return to town, too.