Wells next the Sea or Sheringham?

[imabeautifulfennelcalledjoan]

I know North Norfolk is very popular on Mumsnet so I'm looking for some wise words from the experts!

We're hoping to go to this area for a week in August. We went to Wells next the Sea on a day trip last year and totally loved it - the beach, the amazing playground, the crabbing and the lovely pubs and shops. But I'm finding it hard to find a cottage in our budget. We also looked at Pinewoods as it's right next to that gorgeous beach but we'd prefer a cottage really.

I've found some lovely holiday homes in Sheringham close to the beach and they're more in our budget but what do people think of this area? It looks pretty perfect for us except for the beach being pebbly apart from at low tide. We just really want to be able to spend as much time as poss on the beach, weather permitting,

We have a car so could drive to Wells or other places, of course, but we'd rather be able to walk to places most of the time.

We'd be mainly eating at home/picnics but would go to the odd cafe or pub so as long as there is a good selection of these we'll be happy.

So in a nutshell, can Sheringham offer as much fun as Wells next the Sea for us do you think?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks - we love the sound of Kelling Heath!

They have a leisure centre you can join for your stay, which has fab facilities.

www.kellingheath.co.uk/health-and-fitness-club-cid190.html

When ours were little we used to do a week at kelling heath followed by a week at clippesby hall campsite which is further south and easier for bewilderwood and the broads. We loved both sites, both are peaceful, friendly with plenty going on.

I've been to Sheringham pretty much every year since I was born as we had family there and me and my sister have great memories of running around on the beach and going crabbing in the rock pools. However, the beach is a bit pants access-wise as it has changed a lot over the years, so it's steep, pebbly and hard to access sometimes, also when the tide is in you can't do anything at all.
We now stay in Happisburgh, which has a brilliant park for the kids right on the beach but we mainly do day trips out from there, so we'll visit Holkham, Sheringham and Cromer, and some of the kid friendly attractions like Bewilderwood, the zoo and Thrigby Hall.
My absolute favourite beach is at Waxham, you park for about £2 a day in the caravan park, but when you walk over the dunes the beach is beautiful, we've seen seals bobbing around and it's just gorgeous on a sunny day.
I love a little Norfolk getaway.