Things to Do and See in Wells.
Here are just some of the best places that we would recommend everyone to see.
Holkham Hall
Open : 12noon - 4pm
1-31 October Sunday, Monday & Thursday
Holkham Hall is one of Britain's most majestic stately homes, situated in a Deer Park on the beautiful North Norfolk coast. This classic 18th Century Palladian style mansion is a living treasure house of artistic and architectural history. Home to seven generations of the Earls of Leicester, it has something for everyone.
Tel: (01328) 710227
Iron Age Village
Opening in the Summer of 2009
A must see experience for all the family.
Tel:
Thursford
Seasonal opening: 5 Apr-27 Sep (incl Easter Sat) 12noon-5pm.
Closed Saturdays. From 5th April 2009 to 27th September 2009
Thursford takes you back to a traditional old-fashioned fairground. Majestic engines sitting next to fairground rides. Mechanical organs playing jaunty tunes and the wurlitzer taking you back to the silent movie days. Dickensian style shops including our famous Christmas shop.
Tel: (01328) 878477
Bird Watch
Open: nature reserve – daily. Visitor centre – open all year except Christmas Day,
10am-5pm (10am-4pm November to March)
Perched on the north Norfolk coast, NWT Cley Marshes has a well-deserved reputation as one of the UK’s best bird watching sites. The pools and scrapes attract water birds in their thousands, and no matter what the season, there is always something to see. The award-winning visitor centre has a café and shop as well as a remote-controlled wildlife camera and audio-visual presentations about the changing coastline. On the nature reserve, discover the audio trail and hearing system in the hides, and enjoy the wonderful sounds as well as the spectacular sights found at Cley Marshes.
Tel: (01263) 740008
Pensthorpe
April - December 10am - 5pm daily
January - March 10am - 4pm daily
The Natural Centre of Norfolk, an award winning must-visit attraction for all those who love nature, wildlife and the outdoors. Children love feeding the birds, pond dipping, completing their very own nature quiz and discovering mini-beasts in the Bug Walk before letting off steam in the adventure play area. There is plenty for all the family; the red squirrels, walking with birds in the huge free-flight aviaries or exploring the nature trails around seven beautiful lakes where you can spot some of the hundreds of wild bird species.
Tel: (01328) 851465
Sandringham House
Open: 11 April to 24 July.
Closed: 25 July to 1 August.
Re-opening 2 August to 1 November.
Built in 1870 by the Prince & Princess of Wales, later King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra, Sandringham was once described as 'The most comfortable house in England'. It has been passed down as a private home through four generations of British monarchs & is now the country retreat of Her Majesty The Queen & His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
Tel: (01553) 612908
Made in Cley
Made in Cley is a gallery offering pottery, sculpture, jewellery and prints. It was founded in 1984 and all the products are hand made on the premises by a group of craftspeople.
Tel: (01263) 740134
Britain's largest private military museum is home to many working tanks, over 150 vehicles, guns and missiles and 3,000 exhibits of WWI & WWII memorabilia. Ride on a Gama Goat 6 wheeled personnel vehicle on Sundays and school holidays (except Saturdays).
Tel: (01263) 588210
Walking or Cycling
Open : All year around
Norfolk is perfect for cycling and walking. With its combination of winding country roads, quiet lanes, forests and bridlepaths there is always a view to surprise you. Even if you haven't ridden a bike for years, or you don't possess a pair of walking boots, the gentle contours of the landscape are never too challenging and you are never far away from a welcoming local pub or tea-shop so you can re-charge your batteries.
Wells & Holkham By Cycle
- Seasonal cycle hire with route maps.
Creake Abbey Studios
Opening hours: Tues - Sun 11am to 4.30pm (and open Bank Holiday Mondays)
FREE ADMISSION & AMPLE PARKING
Creake Abbey Studios was started in 2003 and is now recognised as a centre for artistic talent in north Norfolk. We recommend all to go and browse the oil paintings and watercolours, jewellery made with semi precious stones, oriental rugs, fabulous home décor, painted furniture, antiques and objects d’art. A fablus world of treats for all.
Tel: 07801 418907
Train rides
Open : All year around
Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
- The longest 10¼" narrow gauge steam railway in the world. A scenic journey with 5 bridges through lovely countryside.
8am to 8pm
Tel: (01328) 711630
Wells Harbour Railway
- Runs just under a mile from the harbour to the beach at Wells
Sailing
All year around
Wells next to the Sea is surrounded by beautifull vistas out to sea, though a must for everyone; is to look back at the coast from the sea and see the beauty of Wells from a different perspective.
Blakeney Point Sailing School and Norfolk Etc
- RYA sailing courses for adults and children. Sailing charters to the seals on Blakeney Point. Private Tuition and Charter in a Norfolk Oyster. Powerboat courses for beginners.
Tel: (01263) 740704
Bean's Boat Trips
- Beans Seal Trips have been a family run business for over 50 years and are a very popular and safe way to enjoy a close up view of the wildlife - without disturbing it.
Tel: (01263) 740038
Bishop's Boats
- Runs daily seal-watching trips from early February to the beginning of November. Departing from the picturesque Blakeney harbour or Morston quay, in traditional clinker-built wooden boats, they wind their way down the sheltered waters of the creek to the far end of Blakeney Point.
Tel: (01263) 740753
Golf
Royal West Norfolk Golf Club at Brancaster
- A testing and enjoyable golf course that lies in a range of sand hills between marshland and sea.
Tel: (01263) 740753
Shopping
The Natural Soap Company
- 2d Maryland, Handmade soaps.
Tel: (01328) 711717
Big Blue Sky
- A gallery and shop that sells things from Norfolk.
Tel: (01328) 712023
Gallery Plus
- Gallery . Studio . Framing . Design
Tel: (01328) 711609
Stiffkey Stores
- A great local store for provisions, and a delightful tearoom with some delicious home made cakes.
Tel: (01328) 830489
Wells also has some first class places to eat out; here are just some of the best that we would recommend everyone to try.
Albatross
Open :
A Dutch sailing barge more or less permanently moored at the Quay and only about 50 yards from the front door. It is hard to beat sitting on deck enjoying the view and Dutch pancakes or pea soup with a coffee or something stronger
Bowling Green Inn
Open :
Free House - Real Ales - home cooked food served daily. At the southern end of the town. Thought to date from at least 1650, Sunday roasts are especially delicious.
Tel: 01328 710100
Open :
Whether you eat casually in the bar, or more formally in the restaurant, every meal at The Crown is freshly prepared from the best ingredients.
Tel: 01328 710209
Globe Inn, The
Open :
Food is served in both bars and the courtyard and there is also a charming non-smoking restaurant. The menu features an interesting mix of sensibly priced traditional and innovative home cooked food and there is usually a good selection of locally caught fish and seafood. Breakfast is served in the restaurant and unless you tell us otherwise it will be huge. We also provide a full traditional vegetarian breakfast on request.
Tel: 01328 710206
Victoria at Holkham
Lunch From 12noon every day; last orders at 2.30pm
DinnerFrom 7pm every evening;
last orders at 9.00pm weekdays and 9.30pm at weekends
At The Victoria they source the freshest local produce, there menu relying heavily on the best ingredients the surrounding area has to offer and what is seasonally available, whether it be crabs from Cromer, mussels from Brancaster or venison, beef and game from the Holkham Estate.
Tel: 01328 711008
Take-aways
French's Fish Shop Ltd
- Fish & chip shop selling cod, plaice, haddock etc and sausages, pies, mushy peas and curry sauce.
Tel: (01328) 710396
New Hong Kong
- Chinese food to take away. Authentic Cantonese and Peking cuisine.
Tel: 01328 711655
Wells Tandoori
- Indian cuisine. Fully licensed Indian restaurant. Opening hours 12 noon to 2.30pm and 6.00pm to 11.30pm. Open 7 days a week including bank holidays. Take away services available.
Tel: (01328) 710280