A walk from Wells Next the Sea to Holkham
A cluster of pink houses marked the arrival to the East Coast and as I guided the van through the snow storm I wondered if I was doing the right thing, having left my Mum’s warm house in the Midlands for a night in the van before starting a commission in Norfolk.
I’d been to Norfolk as a kid as my dad used to drive me and my sister for the weekend on occasion. But can barely remember any of it - I used to suffer from severe car sickness added to finding my Dad’s company stressful so I think I had just blocked it out. So when the opportunity came up for some work in Norfolk I decided to coincide it with the first proper trip in the van and to adventure this beautiful stretch of coast with adult eyes and energy.
Wells Next the Sea was the first on my agenda - I found parking in Wells Next the Sea just before you turn left to the harbour. While I had read different the car parks were near empty but I might have been the only fool crazy enough to hit a sandy beach with the days winds.
As I made my way along the causeway - about a mile long - I could see this was going to be worth it - in the distance was yellow sand and crashing waves and Monty dipped in and out of the water as I found my pace. Kicking myself for not realising there was a car park at the end of the causeway I veered left towards the dog friendly entrance to Wells beach.
As I ascended and then descended the steps I felt my lungs open and my shoulders drop. Monty ran ahead to the sea and I took in the vast expanse of fine sand blowing towards me and my camera, which I hastily tucked inside my jacket until my back was turned to the wind.
Heading towards Holkham we covered a fair bit of the beach and as the snow fell, the sand hardened and within minutes the sun was shining on the dunes, just as we started to head into the pine trees.
Heading back towards Wells Beach Car Park dogs barked and kids squealed as they enjoyed the rope swings and the dunes through this mini forest and eventually you emerge back out at Wells Beach Car Park.
I headed back along the causeway, spotting some puffins near the boats and pondering on how crazy the weather was.
I hope one day I can come back here when the weather is mild and the shops are open and I can pick around the shops, the quay and this lovely little place. Instead, we moved over to Stiffkey which is coming to the blog soon!
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