Wells Harbour | |
Harbour | |
The Harbour, Wells next the Sea.
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Official name: Wells-next-the-sea Harbour | |
Country | England |
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State | Norfolk |
Region | East of England |
District | North Norfolk |
Municipality | Wells-next-the-sea |
Location | North Sea |
- coordinates | 52°57′13″N 0°51′11″E / 52.95355°N 00.85307°ECoordinates: 52°57′13″N 0°51′11″E / 52.95355°N 00.85307°E |
Founded | 1400s |
Management | The Harbour Commissioners |
Owner | Port Of Wells |
Visitation | Open all year (Office Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to Noon |
Easiest access | Wells Leading Buoy |
Website: www |
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OS Grid Ref: TF9143 |
Saturday and Sunday 9am to Noon
One Hour less in the winter)
Wells Harbour is located in the town of Wells-next-the-Sea in the county of Norfolk, England. The harbour is 21 miles west of Cromer, 34.8 miles north of Norwich and 123 miles north of London. The harbour lies north of the A149 between King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The nearest railway station is now at Sheringham for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport.
The Harbour is on the North Norfolk Coast. It is used by a small fishing fleet and by visiting commercial and fishing vessels, including vessels engaged in surveys, crew transfer or safety boat operations. The harbour also caters for a growing number of leisure craft which are both local boats and an increasing amount of visiting craft. Coastal trips to see the seals at Blakeney Point and chartered fishing and diving trips are also available in the high season. Berthed at the quay is the historic vessel Albatros. The vessel is used for a variety of functions including charters, cruises and sometime just as a venue for entertaining.
There has been a port at Wells for over 600 years. The harbour is protected by salt marshes behind a sand bar. Because it is a natural safe haven from the unpredictable North Sea weather the Port of Wells was one of England's major harbours in Tudor times and a thriving, centre for shipping and maritime industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its greatest period of prosperity was probably from 1830 to 1860. The stone quay side was constructed in 1845 following an Act of Parliament the previous year. The coming of the railway in 1857 marked the beginning of decline though there was a resurgence from 1960 to 1989 when coasters bringing fertilizer and animal feed came in some numbers. The Granary with its distinctive gantry was built around 1904; it has now been turned into apartments. The gantry allowed grain to be transferred between the building and ships without disrupting road traffic. The railway closed in 1964 and in 1976, the Wells Harbour Railway was constructed to link the town with the beach and Pinewoods Holiday Park. It replaced a withdrawn bus service.