Wells Beach

The beach at Wells-next-the-Sea is part of the Holkham Estate. For more information visit Wells-next-the-Sea Beach on the Holkham website.

Please contact the Estate Office directly for any enquiries or comments regarding the beach and its environs.

Wells beach is located approximately one mile from the town. You can walk there along a raised bank with fabulous views over the marshes. There are two levels, the lower one is wheelchair and buggy friendly with ramps at both ends.

For those who prefer a less strenuous journey, a Beach Bus service runs from the Quay to the beach. A fully electric bus ferries passengers from the town to the beach between Easter and October, with a vintage Leyland open-top bus joining in during the busy summer months.

You can also drive yourself along Beach Road and park at the Wells Beach car park where you’ll find the Beach Café, a Joules clothing store, toilets & shower facilities and the entrance to the beach.

On Beach Road there is a large car park at the entrance to Wells beach. It is located approximately 1 mile from the town centre and is run by Holkham Estate. Parking charges apply. Purchase of an all-day ticket allows free parking on the same day in Holkham Park during the visitor season.

Sat Nav postcode is NR23 1DR.

For more information see Parking In Wells.

Dogs are allowed on the beach at Wells all year round subject to certain restrictions.

A designated dog-free zone operates for the first 200 yards of beach from the main entrance, but there are no restrictions from the pinewoods entrances. The section of the beach where dogs are not allowed is signposted.

At nesting time, areas of the beach are roped off to protect nesting birds and people are asked to keep dogs on leads for the same reason.

Dog should also be kept on leads until they get on to the beach. It is your responsibility to keep your dog under close supervision and control and you MUST clean up after your dog and use the dog waste bins provided.

• There are steps to the beach over the dunes from the west end of the car park.
• Ramps are provided at the east end of the car park and the end of Beach Road.
• Further access points can be found along the path which runs parallel to the beach through the pinewoods, incorporating steps rising over the bank and down to the beach.
• There is no formal disabled access along the beach itself, however a solid footway runs for about 50m westward from the beach access point in front of the Coastwatch lookout.
• Beach wheelchairs are not provided.
• Several flights of steps supplement the ramps. All steps have handrails.

• The use of barbeques, fires, stoves and sky lanterns are strictly prohibited.
• Holkham does not allow the use of drones on or over the beach without prior written approval.
• The use of kite buggies, surf boards, sand yachts and remote control cars/appliances/gadgets are not permitted.
• Holkham does not allow metal detecting on the beach.
• Reduce erosion by keeping to paths and established paths.
• Avoid disturbing birds and other animals. Birds that live on the beach are particularly at risk.
• Leave wild flowers for others to enjoy.
• Play and sit on the beach not the dunes.
• Do not dig in the dunes.
• Please take your litter home.

• Swimmers should stay within the area marked by yellow buoys to avoid boat traffic.
• RNLI Lifeguards patrol the beach in July and August from 10am to 6pm daily.
• First aid is available from the Lifeguards when operating.
• National Coastwatch volunteers monitor the beach from July to September 10am to 6pm daily (up to 4pm in winter).
• During the school summer holidays, the National Coastwatch hours are extended to 8:45am to 8pm.
• The beach continues eastward from the main entrance but can be cut off by the tide which comes in very quickly.
• Check tide times and be sure to return to the beach-side of the main channel when the warning siren sounds or around four hours before high water.
• Read the signs and other notices posted at the beach entrance for safety information.
• If you are – or you see someone – in trouble on or near the sea, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

In recent years, one out of every two people rescued by Wells Lifeboat crew were beach visitors cut off by the tide.

To stay safe, make sure you return to dry sand/land at least 4 hours before high tide. During the summer, a warning siren will sound as a reminder to return immediately to dry sand/land.

Always carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach. A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch is ideal. In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Check the weather and tide times. Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you’ll be back.

View the RNLI Guide to Water Safety (pdf file) for more information on staying safe by the water in Wells.

Check local information boards showing the latest daily tide times, or ask a beach warden, car park attendant, or at the Harbour Office or Coastwatch Lookout. You can also download a tide app like Tides Near Me or My Tide Times (App Store / Google Play).

Wells has a new RNLI Lifeboat Station on the end of the beach bank complete with complete with shop, visitor information centre and public viewing gallery. The new Shannon-class RNLB 13-46 Duke of Edinburgh is on service as the town’s all-weather lifeboat, alongside the inshore lifeboat D-797 Peter Wilcox, assisting with emergencies around Wells and off the North Norfolk coast.

Manned by volunteer crews, the boats are ready to launch within minutes, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.