We visited Wells next the Sea on the North Norfolk coast with our toddler last summer and completely fell in love with it. We stayed at Pinewoods for a full week and still felt like we barely scratched the surface. From beach days and crabbing to steam trains, dinosaur adventures and wide open estates, Wells and the surrounding North Norfolk coast are ideal for a relaxed UK staycation with young children.

It never felt rushed or overwhelming. Just simple days outside, fresh air, and plenty of moments where everyone was happy.

Staying at Pinewoods in Wells-next-the-Sea with a Toddler

We stayed in a caravan at Pinewoods and honestly could not have picked a better base with a toddler. Being so close to the beach made everything feel effortless. We could walk to the dunes, pop back for naps, and head out again later without any stress!

The site felt calm and safe, with flat paths that were easy with a buggy and little legs. It set the tone for the whole week and allowed us to keep days flexible, which is exactly what you want when travelling with a young child.

Everything we did during the week

Wells Beach

This was our most visited spot all week. Wells Beach is huge, flat and feels incredibly safe for toddlers who just want to run.

The walk past the colourful beach huts is an experience in itself, and once you’re on the sand there’s so much space that it never feels crowded.

Why it works with toddlers
• Loads of room to roam
• Firm sand for little legs
• Buckets, snacks and fresh air equals an instant win

Some days we stayed for hours. Other days we just popped down for a short play. We took a picnic and walking from the caravan just made it so easy.

A Day Trip to Cromer

We also spent a day in Cromer and it ended up being one of our favourite, easygoing days of the whole trip.

We started with a slow walk along Cromer Pier, letting our toddler take it at their own pace while we watched the sea roll in and out. It’s flat, buggy friendly and perfect for a relaxed wander without feeling rushed.

Fish and chips were non-negotiable, and No 1 Cromer absolutely lived up to the hype. Sitting by the sea, eating fish and chips, watching the waves and the world go by felt like proper seaside magic. One of those simple moments that just sticks with you.

After lunch, we headed to North Lodge Park, which has a brilliant play area. It was perfect for letting our toddler burn off some energy after being in the buggy, and we could have happily stayed there much longer.

Cromer felt relaxed, welcoming and very toddler friendly. It worked brilliantly as a North Norfolk day trip and is well worth adding to your list if you’re visiting the area with young children.

Crabbing at Wells Harbour

If you do one thing in Wells with a toddler, make it crabbing.

We spent ages along the harbour wall with a bucket, net and a bit of bacon-on-string. It is simple, cheap and genuinely exciting for little ones.

There is something magical about seeing their face when a crab finally appears.

Top tip. Go at low tide and bring wipes; lots of wipes!

Eating and Playing in Wells Town

One of the things we loved most about staying at Pinewoods was how easy it was to walk into Wells town. It was a short, flat walk from the caravan, which made heading out with a toddler feel really manageable and stress free.

We ate at French’s Fish & Chips, and honestly, it was some of the best fish and chips we’ve ever had. Proper seaside fish and chips, cooked fresh, piping hot and absolutely worth the queue. Sitting nearby, eating by the sea and watching the world go by felt like classic British seaside perfection. No wonder this place wins so many awards!

The play park in Wells town was amazing for toddlers. It was a great space to let our little one’s run, climb and play after sitting down for food. The park felt safe, well maintained and quickly became a daily stop for us.

There is a big pirate ship play area which our toddler absolutely loved, spending ages pretending to be a pirate, climbing and exploring. There is also a tractor to sit on, which was just as popular. We genuinely ended up going to the park almost every day, it was such an easy win with a toddler and a brilliant way to burn off energy before the walk back to the caravan.

We also loved that Wells really feels like a traditional seaside town. There is a small arcade in town, which was perfect for a quick visit, and plenty of opportunities for ice cream stops, which quickly became part of our daily routine.

We also ate at the Bowling Green Inn, which was brilliant with a toddler. I had the seafood linguine and it was honestly one of the best meals of the trip. Fresh, full of flavour and exactly what you hope for when eating out by the coast.

The menu had plenty of choice for adults, but what really stood out was how accommodating they were with children. There was a great kids menu, the staff were relaxed and welcoming. It made eating out feel easy and enjoyable, which is not always guaranteed when travelling with young children.

Being able to combine food, play, ice cream and a gentle walk back to the caravan made this one of our favourite parts of the week and a big reason why Wells felt so relaxed and family friendly.

Wells and Walsingham Light Railway

This was a real highlight of the week. The journey is just the right length for a toddler. Long enough to feel exciting, short enough to avoid restlessness.

Steam trains, open carriages and countryside views make it feel special without being overwhelming.

Once we arrived in Walsingham, there was not a huge amount to do for young children, so we had a short wander around, grabbed a look around, and then headed back on the next train. For us, the train ride itself was the main attraction, and that was more than enough to make it worthwhile.

Perfect for train obsessed toddlers and adults too.

ROARR!

ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure was our big day out and absolutely worth it. If you are visiting North Norfolk with a toddler or preschooler, this is one attraction that really delivers.

It is ideal for toddlers and young children, with loads of outdoor space, dinosaurs everywhere and a mix of play areas that never feel rushed or cramped. We easily spent a full day here without feeling overwhelmed.

Highlights for us included the outdoor splash area, multiple playgrounds, the indoor play area and the dinosaur hunt, where our toddler received a dinosaur medal at the end. That alone made his day.

We took a picnic and watched the dinosaur dancing show, which was great fun too. If your toddler is dinosaur obsessed, ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure is an absolute must do in Norfolk.

Holkham Hall

Even if you do not go inside the hall, the grounds at Holkham Hall alone are brilliant and well worth a visit with a toddler.

There are wide open spaces, woodland walks, deer roaming in the distance and plenty of room for little ones to explore without constant no do not touch that moments.

The woodland play area was a huge hit and so much fun. We could easily have spent hours there, watching our toddler play while enjoying the relaxed surroundings.

It is also lovely just wandering around the estate, stopping for snacks and watching games of cricket being played on the grounds. And of course, the famous Holkham dunes are only a stone’s throw away, adding to the magic of the place.

It is one of those places where you can slow down, let toddlers lead the way, and allow the day to unfold naturally.

Sandringham

Sandringham felt calm, well organised and very family friendly, making it a great choice for a slower day with a toddler.

The outdoor woodland play area was a huge hit. There is water play, plenty to climb and explore, and enough variety to keep little ones entertained for a good amount of time.

We loved wandering through the wider grounds and woodland paths, which were perfect when everyone needed a break from the beach and a bit of shade. We also visited the church, which was a nice, peaceful stop during the day.

We did not go into the house or formal gardens as there is an additional charge, but honestly, we felt we had more than enough to do without them.

We finished our visit at the café, which was reasonably priced and served really good quality organic food, making it an easy and enjoyable end to the day.

Is Wells next the Sea Good for Toddlers? Final Thoughts

Wells-next-the-Sea and the wider North Norfolk coast felt made for travelling with a toddler. It offered space, flexibility and so much to do without ever feeling like too much.

From beach days and crabbing at the harbour to steam train rides, dinosaur adventures and wide open estates, our week felt full in the best possible way. Every day brought something fun, simple and genuinely enjoyable for all of us.

We left already talking about when we would come back, knowing there is still so much more to explore next time. Wells and the North Norfolk coast are a must visit for anyone planning a UK staycation with young children, and a place we cannot wait to return to.