20 fun things to do with kids in Wells-next-the-Sea this summer

April 14, 2025 | Holiday tips | 14 minute read

Wells-next-the-Sea is a fantastic destination for a family holiday in Norfolk, since there’s so much here to enjoy. Nature, activities, food options aplenty, and a beautiful beach all mean that your days can be full of fun, whatever the time of year. The summer holidays are a popular time to come to Wells, with long sunny days spent making memories together. Let’s explore some of the best things to do with kids in Wells-next-the-Sea and nearby this summer. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, look no further than Pinewoods! Our holiday park is an ideal place to base yourself to enjoy the best of Wells and Norfolk, and we’ve got luxury lodges, a great range of caravan holiday homes, and a touring park too. Browse our accommodation options here.

Things to do with kids in Wells-next-the-Sea

1. Go crabbing (or ‘gillying’, as we call it round here!)

Head to the harbour and see if you can catch some gillies (crabs)! Nearby shops sell kits, so don’t worry if you’re not sure what you need. With a bit of bait (and a bit of luck), the crabs will soon bite, and you can pull them up into your bucket of sea water. Observe them in the bucket, watch them perhaps walk sideways along the harbour wall, and then throw them back into the sea for them to continue on their way. 

Wells-next-the-Sea harbour looking out towards the pine woods and sea

2. Spend the day on the beach

No summer holiday is complete without time spent on the beach, whether you’re building sandcastles, having a splash about in the sea, reading and relaxing or playing a big family game of cricket. 

Wells Beach is one of the best in the country. It’s huge – especially when the tide is out! – and so there’s plenty of room even on the busiest days. With candy coloured beach huts (which you can hire from us), fine sand, shallow tidal pools ideal for family paddling and even the chance of spotting seals in the distance, it’s an ideal spot for your days at the seaside.

Do check tide times and read about staying safe. 

3. Walk in the pine woods

The pine woods that gives our holiday park its name line the back of the beach, and are a wonderful place for a family walk, whether that’s to your favourite spot on the sand or further along into the Holkham National Nature Reserve. Children can run, jump, climb, balance and play as you enjoy some shade from the sun and time in nature. 

You might even find the rope swing!

4. Wells Maltings

Visit the town’s cultural centre and community hub on Staithe Street for exhibitions, cinema screenings, theatre shows and even family bingo this summer, as well as a visitor centre to learn more about Wells-next-the-Sea.

5. Grab a bite at the Beach Café

Wells Beach Café – located right between us at Pinewoods and the beach – is a great place for food before, during or after your time in the woods or on the beach. With hot drinks, cold drinks, morning pastries, beloved sausage and vegan rolls, sandwiches, pizza and ice cream, there’s so much to choose from. 

Pizza is often served well into the evening from The Hatch, perfect for bringing back to your caravan or lodge at Pinewoods if you don’t fancy cooking! 

6. Wells Carnival

Wells Carnival returns in early August for ten days of fun for residents and visitors to the town. Last year’s programme included a parade through the town, a dog show, art and craft workshops, history walks, quizzes, a raft race, children’s open air disco, live music, and so much more. Visit the Wells Carnival website to find out more about what’s coming this year.

In 2025, it’s taking place from 1st – 10th August. Why not book to stay with us that week?

7. Trek with alpacas

Wander the coast paths of Wells and the nearby area and take an alpaca for a walk! A fun, unique experience that you’re all sure to remember.  

8. Ride the Wells Beach Bus

The Wells Beach Bus carries passengers from the town to the beach. A trip on the open top vintage Leyland Tiger is always fun, particularly in the height of summer with the sun beaming down – it’s hard to resist a seaside sing-song during the short journey, or waving at those walking the route instead! Find out more about the beach bus here.

Things to do with kids at Holkham, near Wells-next-the-Sea

Pinewoods is part of the Holkham estate, and the nearby Holkham Hall, Walled Garden and parkland offer a wonderful day out throughout March to October. But during the summer months, there’s even more to enjoy. Here are some our top picks of things to do with kids at Holkham this summer.

9. Take to the trees on the high ropes course

Suitable for children over 1m tall, Holkham’s ropes course is an exciting way to explore! With ziplines, crossings and bridges to traverse, it’ll test bravery and, hopefully, you’ll have a lot of fun in the process. Small and young children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-booking recommended.

10. Have fun in the woodland play area

A much-loved play area, this is the perfect place for your little one to use some of that boundless energy! 

11. Cycle around the estate

Hire bikes (including e-bikes, children’s bikes, tag bikes, child seats, trailers for children and dogs and helmets) from the cycle hire hut in Holkham’s car park, or bring your own, and set out to discover the way-marked path around Holkham Park and the estate. Routes range from 2 ¼ to 6 miles over various terrains.

12. Tuck in at Feast in the Park

On most weekends throughout the summer school holidays, Feast in the Park returns to Holkham Park. With delicious street food from Norfolk favourites alongside beautiful views and live music, it’s the perfect place to bring a picnic blanket and sit back while the kids enjoy playing. The challenge will be deciding what to eat!

13. Jump aboard the tractor trailer

Explore Holkham Park, spot the fallow deer herd and enjoy a trundle around with beautiful views on The Grand Tour tractor trailer tour, taking place on most days throughout the school holidays.

14. Go wild at Gone Wild festival

Day tickets are available for Bear Grylls’ Gone Wild festival, which is back at Holkham Park 7th-10th August after a brilliant debut last year. The festival is all about getting stuck in and enjoying the great outdoors and each other, with exciting activities for different ages including a colour run, abseiling, quad bike safaris, stand up paddleboarding and more.

Artists including Clean Bandit, Blue, Lucy Spraggan and Professor Green will take to the stage, so you can have a boogie too!

15. Pond dipping

On most Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the summer holidays, children can enjoy a pond dipping session in Holkham Lake. During this, they can spot minibeasts and wiggly creatures found in their nets, taking a closer look alongside Holkham’s learning team. Suitable for children aged 3 upwards. 

16. Watch outdoor theatre

Take a picnic and enjoy an evening of entertainment at one of Holkham’s outdoor theatre productions. On 5th August, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men will perform Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and on the 12th August, The Plandits present The Big Bad Wolf, a hilarious rock and roll musical featuring some favourite fairy tale characters. 

17. Youth art workshops

If you’re bringing a budding artist on holiday, why not book them onto a youth art workshop? They can enjoy a day of painting and learning from a professional artist, while you take some time to explore (and perhaps have a break, child-free for a few hours!). Choose from a workshop focused on Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh or Frida Kahlo this summer.

Other things to do with children near Wells-next-the-Sea

Here are a few more things to do with your kids just a little further afield.

18. Go on a boat trip to spot seals

Jump aboard a boat and head out to spot the seals at Blakeney Point, where England’s largest colony of grey seals can be found! We’ve put together a helpful guide to seal spotting in Norfolk here.

19. Take the train to Walsingham

The Wells and Walsingham light railway is a miniature steam train – in fact, it’s the world’s smallest public railway! Take a ride from Wells to Walsingham, a nearby village, and back for an exciting day out for your little one. 

20. Visit Hootz House at Pensthorpe

On a rainy day, Hootz House is the perfect place to visit. This indoor adventure play area will delight your youngsters, and if the sun decides to come out, there’s plenty of natural landscapes at the reserve to enjoy too.

We hope this has inspired you and your family to book a holiday to Wells-next-the-Sea this summer! We might be biased, but we don’t think there’s anywhere better to spend a short break or a week or two during the school holidays. With so many things to do with kids in Wells, opportunities to enjoy the beautiful landscapes around us and the chance to make seaside memories they’ll remember forever, why not book your break today? If you have any questions you’d like to ask about Pinewoods Holiday Park, do get in touch with our reception team on 01328 710439 or by emailing holiday@pinewoods.co.uk.