10 reasons to stay at Pinewoods this June

May 16, 2023 | Holiday tips | 9 minute read

Is June the perfect time to come to Wells-next-the-Sea? With long, warm days and less hustle and bustle than the height of the summer, if you’re not reliant on school holidays, it probably is! Here are ten reasons why a stay in one of our caravan holiday homes, luxury lodges or on the touring park this June is a great idea.

Long, light days

Make the most of your holiday as you enjoy those gloriously long daylight hours around the summer solstice on 21^st June. Early birds can head to the bank of the quay or the beach to capture the sunrise (at around 5am!), or perhaps a chilled evening alfresco with an equally chilled glass of white wine would suit you better. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, it’s far better to spend the longer days somewhere beautiful like Wells-next-the-Sea.

Speaking of those lengthy evenings, June is the perfect time to fire up the BBQ and get cooking! Whether you’re into kebabs, burgers or halloumi, a BBQ is always a tasty treat.

Please note that disposable BBQs are not permitted on the park. We have proper BBQs which you may borrow from reception – please ask a member of the team during your stay.

Wildlife

If wildlife and landscapes are more your thing, there’s lots for you to enjoy too. Pinewoods looks over the Holkham National Nature Reserve, and the local landscapes – salt marsh, grazing marsh, shoreline, dunes, pinewoods and scrub – all play host to a huge variety of wildlife. Enjoy wanders along the reserve’s paths, looking out for Avocets, Ringed Plovers, Large Red Damselflies and Natterjack Toads.

Within Holkham Park, June offers the chance to jump aboard the tractor trailer to enjoy the Deer & Wildlife Safari, or head to Pensthorpe Natural Park near Fakenham for a glow worm hunt!

An indulgent hot chocolate from Wills of Wells coffee house

Shop, sip and sit back on Staithe Street

Take a wander around the lovely local shops on Wells quay and along Staithe Street. Check out homeware stores Bringing the Outside In and Nomad and the Bowerbird, stock up for your BBQ at Arthur Howell’s Butchers and the Country Garden greengrocers. Of course, there’s plenty more to be discovered too. And why not stop off at one of Wells’ array of cafés for a coffee – all that shopping can get tiring!

You might also want to visit Wells Maltings, a cultural and community hub offering a programme of film, theatre, talks, exhibitions and music. In June, they’re showing a screening of the Met Opera Live: ‘Die Zauberflote’, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Fleabag’ (part of National Theatre Encore) and the 2022 film A Man Called Otto (starring Tom Hanks), amongst other things.

Enjoy a sea swim

Some people enjoy a dip throughout the year. If you’re more of a fair-weather bather, June is the start of the summer swim season. Delight in the sheer joy of splashing around in the waves, and feel the mental and physical health benefits of ‘vitamin sea’.

Please check tide times and sea temperatures before going in!

Time to explore

Pinewoods’ location is one of the best things about us. Situated between the pines, the beach, the salt marsh and Wells town, there’s plenty to discover on your doorstep. In June, the (hopefully!) bright blue skies meet with luscious green leaves and grasses. Enjoy strolls along the Norfolk coast path and rural trails, lined with wildflowers.

Alternatively, hire a bike and explore a little further. We have a range of bicycles and electric bikes available to hire here at Pinewoods. Contact reception for more information.

Great pubs which can be reached on a walk or cycle include The Three Horseshoes in Warham, The Red Lion in Stiffkey and The Lord Nelson in Burnham Thorpe.

Binham Priory is around six miles from Pinewoods.

Snippets of the past

History lovers will be pleased to hear that there’s plenty nearby. You might want to head to Walsingham Abbey, Binham Priory or Warham Camp Iron Age Fort, all six miles or less from Pinewoods.

Plus, it’s a month of tours and talks at Holkham Hall and Park. Head behind the scenes of the Hall in their attic or cellar tours, or learn more about the extravagant social events of the past in the Country House Party. Alternatively, hop onto the tractor trailer for the Temples, Trees, Turnips and a Tipple tour of the Park and its hidden buildings. You can also enjoy the Village People tour of Holkham Village.

The beautiful Walled Garden at Holkham

Gardening inspiration

Come June, gardens will be alive with colour. Holkham’s Walled Garden looks particularly wonderful at this time of year, and you’ll find a stunning collection of irises in the vineyard, pelargoniums in the Thomas Messenger glasshouse and roses in the ornamental garden.

Other lovely gardens nearby include Houghton Hall’s Walled Garden and Hindringham Hall’s Gardens, which will both be bursting with blooms.

Fish and chips at Wells Quay

Meals to enjoy

We’re talking a lot about food, but for good reason – there’s so much to enjoy nearby! Enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced lunch or dinner at The Victoria, whose fresh, seasonal menu is sure to please. Punctuate your beach walk with a stop off at Wells Beach Café and The Lookout at Holkham Beach. Pop to newly-opened Two Magpies Bakery for tasty pastries and sweet treats in Wells town. Oh, and would it really be a trip to the coast without some fish and chips?

In the evenings, you can expect some of Norfolk’s favourite street food vendors to join us at Pinewoods. From pastas to pancakes, burgers to burritos, curries to crab and even a Sunday roast wrapped in a Yorkshire pud, there’s plenty to tempt you!

You can check who’s cooking each evening here.

Picnic time

June’s balmy summer days and light evenings are the opportune time for picnics. Whether it’s scones on the sand, pies under the pines or grazing by the grass, there are plenty of picture-perfect picnic spots near Pinewoods. Head to Holkham Park for lakeside relaxing, tuck into your snacks on The Buttlands after a mooch around Wells Town, or enjoy a walk through the woods followed by a beach picnic… just try to avoid too much sand in your sandwiches!

You can pick up some tasty items for your picnic from the Pinewoods Store.

Seals at Blakeney Point, taken from a boat trip.

Take to the water

It wouldn’t be a trip to the coast without some time on the water. Why not enjoy a boat ride from Morston to see the seals at Blakeney Point? It’s home to England’s largest grey seal colony, and seeing the creatures basking in the sunshine and lolloping about is certainly a spectacle!

Alternatively, you can head out on a stand-up paddleboard with North Norfolk Paddle Boards. Enjoy a taster session or a guided salt marsh tour, starting from Burnham Overy Staithe.

What a lot of lovely things you can enjoy at Pinewoods this June. If you’re tempted, check availability and book here.