Wells Harbour fact file
Getting around
By road, Wells-next-the-Sea can be reached by car via the A149 from either the east or west, while those approaching from the south should head to Fakenham and take the B1105. Wells-next-the-Sea lost its direct link to the main rail network in 1964, so the nearest train stations are now King’s Lynn (25 miles) and Sheringham (14 miles) from where you can join the ‘Coast Hopper’ bus that runs every hour along the North Norfolk coast in the summer months.
Harbour authority
n Wells Harbour Commissioners, harbour office, Tel: 01328 711646 n VHF: Ch12 or 16, ‘Wells Harbour’ harbour master mobile phone, Tel: 07775 507284 n Deputy harbour masters’ mobile phones, Tel: 07796 698806 and 07876 743484
Moorings
The Wells Harbour Commissioners offer three types of visitor moorings:
1. Pontoon berths alongside Anglian Quay n Berths: 26 berths, of which six have a minimum depth of 1.5m (5ft) throughout the tide n Facilities: Electricity, water, diesel (at fuel berth) refuse disposal, toilets, showers, laundry and sewage pump-out. n Prices per day: 20-25ft £22, 26-30ft £24, 31-35ft £26, over 35ft £28
2. Main Quay n Berths: 12 drying berths. An additional six craft can be moored alongside Albatros, where there is a minimum depth of 1.5m (5ft) throughout the tide n Facilities: Water, diesel (at fuel berth), refuse disposal, toilets, showers, laundry and sewage pump-out n Prices per day: 20-25ft £22, 26-30ft £24, 31-35ft £26, over 35ft £28
3. Swinging moorings n Berths: Five yellow buoys, all dry on sand n Prices per day: 20-25ft £11, 26-30ft £12, 31-35ft £13
Wells Harbour webcams
If you want to see the latest weather conditions in Wells Harbour, visit the port’s official website, www.wellsharbour.co.uk, to check the four webcams mounted on top of the harbour office.
Slipways
Public slipway alongside a disused slipway trolley that once catered for small vessels up to 12m (40ft) LOA. Use of the public slipway is free: however, all craft must pay the relevant harbour dues BEFORE launching.
Boat hoists
n Port Marine Services, Tel: 01328 711646. The boat hoist is capable of lifting up to 7.5 tonnes, operated by the Wells Harbour Commissioners. Price: £22 per metre per lift. The Wells Harbour Commissioners took delivery of a new 35-tonne hoist in June 2017. Price: £22 per metre per lift. Use of quay for lifting in or out of non-residential boats: £49.
Chandlers
n Standard House Chandlery, Tel: 01328 710593, www.standardhousechandlery.co.uk
Boat repairs
n James Case, Tel: 01328 710550 n Port Marine Services,
Tel: 01328 711646
Marine Engineers
n Port Marine Services, Tel: 01328 711646 n Standard House Chandlery, Tel: 01328 710593, www.standardhousechandlery.co.uk
Taxi services
n Coastal Cabs, Tel: 07919 020 917 n Elite Travel, Tel: 01328 821812
Railway stations
n Sheringham, 1 mile away n King’s Lynn, 25 miles away n Norwich, 30 miles away Tel: 0845 7484950, www.greateranglia.co.uk
Local tourist attractions
n North Sea klipper Albatros, Tel: 07979 087228, www.albatroswells.co.uk n Day trips on Lucy Lavers: bookings via the Wells Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 01328 710885, www.rescuewoodenboats.com n Wells Tourist Information Centre, Tel 01328 710885 n Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, Tel: 01328 711630, www.wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk
Books and charts
n AC108, Admiralty Leisure Folio, Orford Ness to the Humber, Imray C28, Y9 n Port of Wells annual brochure, available free of charge from either the harbour office or as a PDF file from www.wellsharbour.co.uk n NB: The profile of Wells Harbour reproduced within Henry Irving’s books Tidal Havens of the Wash and Humber, and Forth, Tyne, Dogger, Humber – A cruising guide from Blakeney to St Abbs is now dated. Instead, those planning a voyage should consult the annuallyproduced brochure available free of charge from the Wells Harbour Office.