Wells-next-the-Sea is a lively harbour town in North Norfolk’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Known simply as Wells, it is one of the most popular seaside towns in Norfolk if not the United Kingdom, for its beautiful family-friendly beach and vibrant quay.
Wells makes a perfect base for a Norfolk holiday or long weekend on the North Norfolk coast. As well as enjoying all the Georgian town has to offer, you are also within easy reach of the historic city of Norwich and some of East Anglia’s best sights, including famous stately homes, popular amusement parks and fantastic wildlife.
There is an abundance of accommodation in Wells-next-the-Sea and the surrounding areas and all our picks are within five miles of the town. From hotels, Airbnb-style accommodation and Norfolk cottages to glamping tents and campsites, there are places to stay in Wells to suit everyone.
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Planning a visit to Wells-next-the-Sea? I share tips on getting there, where to stay, places to eat + things to do locally in my ultimate Wells visitor guide.
Hotels in Wells-next-the-Sea
We’ve included a brief list of hotels and pubs with rooms in Wells below. If you’re specifically looking for hotels, head over to our dedicated Wells hotel guide for lots more options, information and special offers.
- The Globe Inn, Wells-next-the-Sea
- The Black Lion, Little Walsingham
- The Victoria, Holkham
- The Crown Hotel, Wells-next-the-Sea
- The Red Lion, Stiffkey
- The Three Horseshoes, Warham
- The Hero at Burnham Overy Staithe
Wells-next-the-Sea Cottages & Vacation Rentals
A Room in the Park, Holkham
Enjoy a stay at this wonderful converted 18th century barn, located within the sprawling grounds of Holkham Hall. The barn has been lovingly restored and has kept many of the original features, such as the wooden beams and trusses.
The focus is on comfort, with a generous king bed (which can be turned into singles, if needed) and luxury details like crisp clean sheets, fluffy towels and robe and a cosy sitting room complete with a wood burning stove.
The studio has direct access to the private area of the walled garden where you can enjoy a wonderful breakfast of fresh bread, Norfolk butter, and the selection of local jams and muesli which are provided.
Within easy walking distance of Wells, as well as Norfolk’s famous stately homes of Holkham Hall, Houghton Hall and Blickling Hall, the Room in the Park is a fabulous place from which to explore Norfolk.
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The Old Post Office, Wells-next-the-Sea
Originally two cottages, The Old Post Office right in the centre of the Norfolk seaside town of Wells has been completely refurbished to create one fabulous house which dates from the 18th century.
The Old Post Office has been beautifully designed. Set across three floors, there is real attention to detail, with modern and on-trend styling throughout.
The house has four bedrooms and four bathrooms and sleeps up to eight people. There is an extremely well-equipped kitchen with sliding doors that fully open to the courtyard garden to make the most of the summer and indoor-outdoor living.
Tucked away in a quiet side street with private parking, you are just a few minutes’ easy walk away from the heart of this lively seaside town and its picturesque Quay, making this one of the best vacation rentals in Wells.
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Bakers House, Wells-next-the-Sea
Bakers House is a lovely holiday home right in the heart of Wells-next-the-Sea. Light and airy, this holiday cottage is one of the best places to stay in Wells for large or extended families and can sleep up to fourteen people, with two double rooms, a twin, a twin and a bunk room, and two sofa beds.
Bakers House provides a friendly and comfortable experience, with a dining area in the conservatory, a fully equipped kitchen and free wifi. This home has everything you need to make your holiday a real pleasure.
Only a two minute walk to the Quay and the lovely local shops and restaurants, the house also benefits from private parking for two cars.
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Freeholders, Wells-next-the-Sea
Freeholders is a new award-winning home which was completed in 2020, and is one of the best located holiday properties in Wells. Sitting just metres from the water, the house offers amazing views and is within easy reach of all of Wells’ lovely shops, restaurants, bars, and the quay.
The house sleeps four and is wonderfully decorated and furnished. The ground floor is open plan, with a fully equipped kitchen and a living room with expansive views across the marshes. The two bedrooms both have king beds and there are two bathrooms, one on each level.
For something extra special this house has a roof terrace with 360º views, seating to relax, and a dumb waiter from the kitchen to ferry up your drinks and snacks – what a brilliant idea!
Mousetrap, Wells-next-the-Sea
Mousetrap is a barn conversion cottage, which comfortably sleeps six, and is perfect for families. One room has a king bed and two rooms have two singles each.
The cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, access to a private walled garden and two private parking spaces.
Mousetrap is a great place to base yourselves for your Norfolk holiday. Centrally located 800 metres behind the Quay, it offers an easy walk to the harbour, shops, pubs and cafes of this vibrant seaside town, and you’re within easy walking distance of Wells beach and the wonderful Norfolk Coast Path.
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St Michael’s Cottage, Wells-next-the-Sea
This fabulous cottage dates back to the 16th century and is located on a quiet no-thoroughfare street in the heart of Wells near to all the shops and restaurants.
The house has been completely renovated and has four floors sleeping up to nine across five bedrooms. Comfortable and full of light, St Michaels Cottage has been elegantly designed and mixes modern with many of the original traditional features.
The house also has a lookout tower with a telescope for star gazing and binoculars for looking across the amazing views and spotting local wildlife, such as birds and seals. Add to that the alfresco dining in the courtyard garden with BBQ and seating provided, and you’ve got one of the best holiday cottages in Wells.
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Walnut Cottage, Wells-next-the-Sea
Walnut Holiday Cottage is a restored 18th Georgian double-fronted house, right in the centre of Wells on the old High Street.
The cottage sleeps four, having a kingsize four poster bed in the master bedroom and a further twin bedroom on the top floor. There is a fully equipped kitchen and a lovely enclosed garden to enjoy your meals outside in the summer months.
The house is only a five minute walk to the Quay and into town, where you will find all the wonderful local shops and amenities. You can park for free at Buttlands which is a two minute walk from the house.
Tusker House, Wells-next-the-Sea
This beautifully renovated traditional property is located in Wells. The house provides accommodation for seven, with two double rooms a twin room and a single room.
The home benefits from a newly refurbished kitchen and has a spacious and comfortable dining and living room with access to the private walled garden and a snug.
Tusker House is situated within a few minutes walk of the Quay, the main shopping street and the Georgian Buttlands so it is very close to all the amenities. The property also has one off-street private parking space.
Hut-next-the-Sea, Wells-next-the-Sea
If you fancy a different kind of stay, then look no further than the Hut next the Sea. This wonderful shepherd’s hut sleeps two and is the epitome of cosy.
According to guest reviews, it has a wonderfully comfortable double bed. But that’s not all, there is an en suite bathroom with shower, a kitchenette and wood burning stove, so you have everything you need. There is a gorgeous private garden in the dell full of birds and butterflies, which is a serene and very private spot.
There is private access and parking through the Blue Skies Campsite, only a ten minute walk away from the Quay, local shops, vibrant pubs and restaurants. If you prefer something more peaceful, you are only minutes away from the beautiful North Norfolk countryside and the Norfolk Coast Path.
The Pilchard, Wells-next-the-Sea
The Pilchard is a fabulous and spacious seaside townhouse in a small select development situated just a few minutes walk from the Quay and the shops of Wells.
The family friendly home is split across three floors and sleeps up to eight people, with three double rooms and one twin room. The ground floor has a large kitchen and dining area with fantastic views across the marshlands and also the harbour, there are seating areas at both the front and rear of the property.
The house also benefits from two private parking spaces, which is very helpful in the busy summer months.
Fishermans Cottage, Wells-next-the-Sea
This holiday home is a delight! Set in a 200-year-old Fishermans Cottage, it has been lovingly restored and sits just a stone’s throw away from the water’s edge, on the quiet side of the harbour.
This is the perfect spot for a couples retreat, the home has a lovely sitting area and a fully equipped kitchen and the Norfolk winder staircase leads to a beautifully appointed king bedroom with an en suite bathroom and open fire for cooler nights.
Enjoy the comfort of this home and wake up to breathtaking sea views.
Crow’s Nest, Wells-next-the-Sea
Set in the heart of Wells, the Crow’s Nest Cottage was renovated in 2020. The house offers accommodation for up to ten people, with one kingsize bed, three doubles, one twin and one bunk bed (in with one of the doubles). The hosts have provided everything that holidaymakers could need for a great seaside break.
The spacious kitchen leads into a bright and airy open-plan dining and living room. Downstairs there is a fantastic movie room with a projector screen and state-of-the-art surround sound, all connected to the internet for easy streaming. The house also boasts a small private garden and two private parking spaces.
Complete with sea views, this is house is within easy walking distance of both the quay and the shops, this is a great location to base yourself to explore all Norfolk has to offer, and you can also enjoy your break with your furry friend as this is a dog friendly holiday home, at no extra charge!
Anchorage Wells Rooms & Apartments, Wells-next-the-Sea
Located close to the quay, and with partial harbourside views, the Anchorage Wells offers guests a choice of rooms or a fully equipped apartment.
With a good range of features and amenities to suit every budget, a friendly welcome and freshly made filled breakfast rolls delivered every morning, there are lots of reasons to stay here.
Chapel Cottage, Warham
Located in the pretty Norfolk village of Warham is Chapel Cottage, a lovingly restored period character cottage.
Set across two floors, the cottage can sleep up to six with one king, one double room and one twin. There is a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and two living rooms. There is private parking for two cars and a spacious garden, with plenty of seating to enjoy al fresco dining in the summer.
Warham is only three miles from Wells town, four miles from Wells beach, and two miles from Stiffkey and the saltmarshes. This is a great place to base yourself to explore Wells and the surrounding areas.
Hawthorns, Stiffkey
Hawthorns is a characterful cottage set in a fabulous rural location between the village of Stiffkey and the National Trust saltings, a designated area of natural beauty. Stiffkey is only a ten minute walk, and Wells is a ten minute drive.
Hawthorns Cottage offers comfortable and contemporary accommodation, and sleeps up to eight people in four bedrooms, two with king beds, one double and one twin. The cottage is filled with natural light with an open-plan sitting kitchen dining and living room.
There are lovely views of open fields and the garden, which also offers a glimpse of the sea through the trees. Set within its own large private garden with ample parking for several cars, a side gate leads onto the small footpath that runs between the village and the coast to the salt marshes, sand beach and sea, all less than a minute’s walk away.
This Norfolk holiday cottage is a wonderful home-from-home for families or for couples who are looking for a quiet retreat, and up to two well-behaved dogs are also welcome.
Harbour House, Stiffkey
This lovely holiday cottage is situated in Stiffkey and is said to be one of the oldest cottages in the village.
The cottage sleeps up to eight people in four bedrooms, two with king beds, one twin, and one bunk bed, all with a view of the large garden. Simply but comfortably furnished, it is full of character with large double inglenook fireplaces.
With easy access to the village of Stiffkey and Wells, and not far from the Norfolk Coast Path, this vacation rental makes a great base for a family to enjoy their holiday in Norfolk.
The Normans, Wells-next-the-Sea
The Normans is a beautiful three-storey Georgian townhouse located in the centre of Wells-next-the-Sea, and only a two minute walk to the harbour front and a 20 minute walk to the beach
The house dates back to 1794 and was built for a wheat merchant, who was rumoured to also be a smuggler. At the top of the house, you will find a spy window, from which the merchant watched his boats come in.
The house sleeps up to fourteen across six bedrooms spacious bedrooms which have impressive views across the coast from Holkham to Stiffkey. There are also five bathrooms, a wonderful kitchen and many areas to relax in comfort, not to mention the games room with a pool table – great for teenagers!
The original kitchen garden wall encloses the lovely rear garden with a large table for alfresco dining. The house also has parking for four cars.
Want to see more wonderful holiday homes for rent in Wells? Looking for last minute accommodation? Head to VRBO now and find your perfect Norfolk holiday home!
B&B’s in Wells-next-the-Sea
Armeria, Wells-next-the-Sea
Armeria is a premium bed and breakfast located just on the outskirts of Wells, only a short walk from the Harbour and the lovely shops of restaurants of the town.
Each room at Armeria comes with an en-suite and has been comfortably decorated to make your stay as relaxing as possible, including lovely views across the salt marshes to the sea.
There is a decent-sized breakfast menu, including homemade pancakes, porridge, full English and many other delicious options.
Bang in Wells, Wells-next-the-Sea
Bang is in the heart of Wells, set in a unique Grade II listed building which has been lovingly restored. You will find a funky bistro and bar on the ground floor and four guest bedrooms on the first floor.
All the rooms are completely different and full of character, and of course, all come with an en-suite and breakfast included, which is taken in the café downstairs.
Bang offers a really unique and fun take on the B&B experience and is a comfortable and welcoming place to stay for your holiday in Wells.
The Waterfront B&B, Wells-next-the-Sea
The Waterfront, as its name would suggest, is located right on the waterfront in Wells, close to the Quay and only a few metres from the sea.
This adults-only B&B offers charmingly decorated double and twin rooms with en suites, and a sitting room with a balcony looking over the sea and marshes for an evening glass of wine. The full English breakfast is homemade with local Norfolk ingredients and is absolutely delicious!
The B&B really is in a fantastic location, close to everything that Wells has to offer, and that view, wow! The Waterfront really is a great place to stay for your Norfolk holiday.
Manor Farm Guesthouse, Wells-next-the-Sea
Manor Farm Guesthouse is a late Georgian period house set in spacious gardens in a quiet location in Wells, only a five minute walk to the town centre.
This is a great B&B which welcomes families with children of school age upwards. Their breakfast menu offers a variety of dishes made using local produce and corn-fed free-range eggs and they endeavour to cater for all diets, including vegetarian.
The four bedrooms with en suites also come with tea & coffee-making facilities and there is a seating area overlooking the front garden, to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Arch House, Wells-next-the-Sea
Arch House is a family-run Grade II listed bed and breakfast, a short walk from the centre of Wells, a five minute walk from the harbour, and only a mile from the beautiful beaches of Wells and Holkham.
The house has ten ground and first-floor ensuite rooms, family rooms and a garden, as well as private parking. You’ll enjoy a wonderful breakfast served in the spacious and bright dining room, with full vegetarian and gluten-free menus also available.
Glamping in Wells-next-the-Sea
Ambers Bell Tent Camping
Glamping is a great way to spend your Norfolk holiday and staying at Ambers you will have the beautiful beaches and towns of North Norfolk on your doorstep.
The glampsite is at Branthill Farm, just west of Wells, and offers amazing bell tents that can sleep two people or a whole family. Each tent comes with one double bed with a proper mattress and single camp beds, and all have 100% cotton sheets, duvets and pillows.
Tents also have a wood-burning stove to take the chill off in the cooler months, a cool box, a kitchen box with utensils and a deck and awning.
Branthill Farm is a working malting barley farm with a microbrewery and ale shop on site, as well as a pizza oven, washing up station, honesty shop and games area. They have recently upgraded and custom-built new bathrooms and washing facilities and last but not least, there is the opportunity to book a mobile sauna box – how cool is that!
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Norfolk Coastal Glamping, Peterstone
Norfolk Coastal Glamping takes camping to a whole new level! Located in the Brickyard Campsite, only four miles from Wells.
There are three different tents you can choose from and all are in remote parts of the campsite so you can be as private as you like. The Brickman’s Retreat is fully furnished, with a king bed and two bunks, and has its own private toilet and shower facility only a few yards away.
The Keepers Hide can sleep up to eight people across two floors, and again is fully furnished with its own toilet and shower facility. Lastly, Abbots Rest sleeps up to four people and is fully furnished with its own toilet and shower facility.
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Camping and Holiday Parks in Wells-next-the-Sea
Pinewoods, Wells Beach
Almost on the beach itself, Pinewoods offers a range of holiday accommodations from a fleet of static caravans, six state-of-the-art lodges, and 116 caravan or motorhome pitches.
This is the closest place you can stay to Wells beach, giving unrivalled access to the sea, pine woods and nature reserves which are on the doorstep. You might even see a Norfolk seal or two lounging on the beach!
There are also beach huts available to hire to complete the holiday experience, so make sure to pack a bucket and spade!
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Norfolk Brickyard, Peterson
Norfolk Brickyard offers a great off-grid camping experience. A wild campsite, you are welcome in your tent, motorhome, campervan or caravan.
All the pitches are secluded, with privacy provided by trees and bushes. There are shared toilet facilities and hot running water, however, this is very much bush-style camping without an electric hook-up.
Close to both Holkham beach and the estate, you are also only four miles from Wells and Wells beach, there is plenty here to explore.
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Blue Skies Campsite, Wells-next-the-Sea
Blue Skies Campsite is situated close to Wells, nestled in a 1.5-acre dell just off of the coast road. This is a small, and friendly family campsite that welcomes both tents and touring caravans.
The campsite is only a ten minute walk away from the Quay, busy shops and all the wonderful restaurants and pubs of Wells.
Blue Skies Campsite offers a friendly pitch where children and dogs are welcome. There is even a designated dog area called Waggin’ Wheel Corner for your pooches to enjoy a water break.
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Map of Wells-next-the-Sea Hotels & Places to Stay
How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.
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