Visit Holkham
Plan your visit to Wells-next-the-Sea Beach
Wells Beach and Beach Café opening times
Opening times vary throughout the year depending on the season. Please check all opening times here.
Prices
Parking charges apply at Beach Road car park:
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 Freeman Street car park in Wells. It is ¾ of a mile to the beach, or a bus service is available, fares apply.
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.
Parking info
Parking: Pay and display
Please check the car park opening times here.
Satnav for Beach Road car park: NR23 1DR
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.
FAQs
Where can I park?
We have two car parks in Wells, Freeman Street 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 Freeman Street 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 the Beach Café run by Holkham?
Yes, the Beach Café is one of three Holkham cafés.
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 pinewoods and Holkham Park too.
Can I metal detect on Wells Beach?
No, 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
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?
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.