Nothing says British summertime like a trip to the beach – feeling sand between your toes and a fresh sea breeze in your hair. Everyone has their favourite beach, whether it’s local or a bit further afield, and here at CambridgeshireLive, we have a favourite too.
We may be a landlocked county, but that doesn’t stop us from indulging in all the much-loved elements of a seaside town – it just means we have to travel a bit further to get there. And the longer journey means that you want it to be well worth it when you get there.
That’s why the CambridgeshireLive team has put its heads together to name the seaside town we think is the best. For us, it absolutely had to be Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk because it has the perfect combination of a picturesque beach and a town filled with independent shops and restaurants.
It was a tough call, with other towns such as Hunstanton, Cromer, and Holkham also contenders. But in the end, it was the glorious backdrop of the woodland and beach huts at Wells-next-the-Sea that we felt set it above the rest.
From Cambridge, it’ll take you just under two hours to get there, and from Wisbech, it’s about an hour and 15 minutes. It’s best to travel by car as there are plenty of parking spaces and the town doesn’t have a railway station.
From the iconic French’s fish and chips to the Norfolk ice cream, art galleries, and fishermen selling freshly caught crab and lobster, we really think that Wells has it all.
If you agree, you can vote for Wells-next-the-Sea in a poll to find the best seaside town in the UK.
Food & drink
When you’re coming to the seaside, there are two main food items on the menu – fish and chips and ice cream. Wells has both of these in abundance, with French’s on The Quay, which overlooks the harbour, being a very popular spot. There’s also Platten’s if you want to sit in a restaurant and enjoy a chippy tea.
If it’s pub grub you’re after, the Golden Fleece offers a beautiful spot overlooking the sea. It also has a small beer garden at the back for those bright sunny days. Here, you can enjoy pub classics including lasagne, cottage pie, scampi, and a selection of pies.
Other notable food mentions go to the Wells Crab House and Wells Gelato on Freeman Street. And you can’t forget about A&M Frary, the fishermen who sell freshly caught lobster and crab at the front of the harbour car park. Ideal for a lunch or to take home at the end of the day to enjoy a taste of the seaside at home.
Down at the beach is the beach café which serves a range of food and refreshments including pizza by the slice and ice cream. Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the café.
The beach
Wells is famous for its colourful beach huts and woodland, which overlook the vast sandy expanse of the beach. It’s a peaceful place to relax and unwind, fly a kite, walk the dog, or build some sandcastles. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, so even furry friends can join in on family beach trips.
The water quality at Wells is rated as excellent, meaning it is safe to bathe in, or just have a little paddle if you would prefer. It has had consistently good ratings over the past three years, and in 2025 it was rated as ‘excellent’.
It is worth bearing in mind that the beach is about a mile down the road from the town. There are car parks both in the town and at the beach, depending on where you want to spend your visit. There are several ways that you can get to the beach: either by driving and parking again, walking, or by getting the seasonal shuttle bus.
The buses run between Easter and October. During peak season, an open-top vintage bus also operates between the beach and the town. It costs £2 per adult and £1 for under-16s. Dogs are also welcome, and the buses run every 20 minutes.
As you would expect, the beach does tend to get very busy during the summer, especially during the school holidays and on bank holidays. But as the beach is so large, you should always be able to find a spot.
Things to see and do
Crabbing, or gillying as it is called in Norfolk, is a classic seaside activity. Wells harbour happens to be one of the best spots for it. It’s one of those activities that keeps both kids and adults entertained for hours.
If you’re not familiar, then head to one of the nearby shops and get yourself a bucket, a line and some bait. Then, pick your spot on the harbour and see how many crabs you can catch. Just make sure you release them back into the sea when you’re done.
As you would expect from any seaside town, Wells also has an arcade. It can be found on Beach Road next to the casino and ice cream shop. It’s not a massive arcade, but still has all the nostalgic things like 2p machines and grabber machines.
Along The Quay you will find Thea Hickling Gallery, which is an art gallery and working studio by Norfolk artist Thea Hickling. The gallery showcases Thea’s oil paintings, which are inspired by the North Norfolk coast.
If it’s a bit of shopping you fancy, then there are plenty of independent spots to pick from. There are classic souvenir shops and beach supply stores, as well as boutique clothing and homeware stores. At the beach, you’ll also find a Joules clothing shop.
What does it cost?
The coast is no longer the cheap day out it used to be, and, on the North Norfolk coast, Wells very much follows this trend. A medium cod and chips from French’s will cost you £11.20, with a pot of curry sauce costing an additional £2. A scoop of gelato from Wells Gelato will cost £3.50, or if you prefer a 99, it’ll cost you £4.
If you want to stay overnight during August, the cheapest room according to Booking.com is at The Quay Rooms, where a room for two adults for one night will cost £135. There’s also The Gypsy Knot, a compact little holiday home which charges £189 for two adults for one night. Alternatively, if you are a camper, you may prefer to take your caravan or motorhome to Pinewoods Holiday Park, costing £50 per night.
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