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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wells next the sea or Heacham beach ?!

42 replies

RealReginaPhalange · 10/08/2026 11:02

Posted in chat but it seems to be very dead there 🙂

I have 18 months old and 5 year old. We had to cancel holidays this year but i really really want to go to the beach at least for a day! it has to be this Wednesday. its a long drive, around 2-2.5 hours. I have not been at the beach in the UK yet. What do you suggest ? :D

Any tips or advices for a day trip with two little kids?

YABU = Wells
YANBU = Heacham

OP posts:
Doriangraysattic · 10/08/2026 11:38

We go to Wells each year for a short break, staying on Pinewoods- in fact we're off next week. It is a lovely site - two minutes to the woods and same to the beach which is enormous. If you're happy to walk a way along uts usually (even in August) fairly empty.
The town is a mile walk or a little bus ride away and is small and 'touristy' of course but still very nice.
Heacham is much smaller with little to do but a good base and of course the lavenders fields.

Bunito · 10/08/2026 11:37

I live round this way, so will give you some insider goss.

NellieJean · 10/08/2026 11:28

Wells beach is nice. It has big car park, cafe and toilets and it’s about twenty minute walk into town. Brancaster is lovely as is Thornham you can park at the RSPB where there is a cafe and toilets,

Todolisttoolong · 10/08/2026 11:22

Nousernameideaaga · 10/08/2026 11:08

how about Suffolk beaches?

Southwold is absolutely beautiful and sandy

Aldborough also lovely but pebbles

Edited

Wouldn’t recommend Aldeburgh with young children. Not only is there no sand, the beach is shelving. On moment they will be paddling and the next they are out of their depth.

thefemaleJoshLyman · 10/08/2026 11:21

RealReginaPhalange · 10/08/2026 11:17

if tide is low is the beach rocky? Apparently Heacham is but not Wells which i was leaning towards because of that.

Show quote history

From what I remember, Brancaster is all sandy and with lovely dunes at the back of the beach.

TicketyBoo11 · 10/08/2026 11:20

Check the tide times for Brancaster .. there were a couple of days last week where you couldn’t get to the beach as the road was cut off. Holkham all day long for me. I like Holme as well..

Original poster
RealReginaPhalange · 10/08/2026 11:17

thefemaleJoshLyman · 10/08/2026 11:10

Just seen your reply! We go to Brancaster if we want a beach day and are in North Cambs.

if tide is low is the beach rocky? Apparently Heacham is but not Wells which i was leaning towards because of that.

OP posts:
UndoRedo · 10/08/2026 11:17

Brancaster definitely. Easy access, lovely sand and ice creams

thefemaleJoshLyman · 10/08/2026 11:10

Just seen your reply! We go to Brancaster if we want a beach day and are in North Cambs.

thefemaleJoshLyman · 10/08/2026 11:09

Wells has a beautiful beach but so too does Brancaster. Heacham's beach is not as nice.

However if you want to go in the sea, look at.tide times - it goes out a long way!

Where are you based? Would going west to Wales be just as easy?

NCForOneNightOnly · 10/08/2026 11:08

The only problem with Wells next the sea is that it isn’t next the sea. Not by miles if the tide is out.

Nousernameideaaga · 10/08/2026 11:08

how about Suffolk beaches?

Southwold is absolutely beautiful and sandy

Aldborough also lovely but pebbles

Original poster
RealReginaPhalange · 10/08/2026 11:08

Nousernameideaaga · 10/08/2026 11:06

Where are you starting from?

not far from Cambridge

OP posts:
Original poster
RealReginaPhalange · 10/08/2026 11:06

SleepThiefSlayer · 10/08/2026 11:03

Neither - Brancaster! X

havent heard of it but seems to be in the area and looks beautiful!

OP posts:
Nousernameideaaga · 10/08/2026 11:06

Where are you starting from?

TeenLifeMum · 10/08/2026 11:03

Where are you starting from?

SleepThiefSlayer · 10/08/2026 11:03

Neither - Brancaster! X