Wells-next-the-Sea

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Wells-next-the-Sea is a port town on the North Norfolk coast of England.

The town has been a seaport since the 14th century when it supplied food to London and then to the miners in the northeast. In return, Wells got coal. Wells is also a fishing port: in 1337, it was recorded as having 13 fishing boats; Holkham next door has nine. Its sailors brought the first herring and cod from Iceland between the 15th and 17th centuries. In 1663, a parliamentary bill was passed to supervise the port to protect its use rights.

As part of an attempt to improve the town, the wharf was substantially rebuilt in 1845. At the same time, an improvement commissioner was appointed to make the town spacious and attract residents and the booming tourism industry. Tourism started on a small scale a century ago and became a major attraction because it was built on the site of a pine caravan and was originally expanded by the town council and Holkham Manor after the war.