Recently, Cambridgeshire Live conducted a poll asking readers to vote for their favourite beach for a day trip. The results were clear – Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast was the top choice.
This coastal town, less than two hours from Cambridge, is brimming with seaside classics like boat trips, fish and chips, arcades and more. But can one have a fulfilling day out with just £20?
Intrigued by this challenge, reporter Matthew Senior set off to Wells with £20 in his pocket to see what he could experience without overspending…
I arrived in Wells around 10.15am on a glorious day, with sunshine, cloudless skies and temperatures well into the 20Cs. Given the early hour, many of the fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours were still closed, so I headed straight for the beach.
Keeping a low-cost day out as my primary goal, I decided to walk the 30-minute stretch from the harbour to the beach. For those who prefer not to walk, there’s a bus service that covers the mile-long route to the beach, reports Cambridgeshire Live.
An adult single fare costs £2, while a child’s ticket is £1, and it operates on a card-only basis. There’s also a car park at the end of the road, but I must say, the walk was enjoyable and absolutely worth it once I reached the beach.
The beach was a sight to behold, with its expansive golden sands stretching as far as the eye could see and the water shimmering under the sun’s rays. It was no surprise that it was teeming with families making the most of the glorious weather.
After a leisurely stroll along the beach, admiring the vibrant beach huts dotting the sand, I retraced my steps back to the harbour. The walk was delightful and the fact that it was free made it even more enjoyable.
However, the lengthy walk had stirred up quite an appetite, so I decided it was time to splurge on some fish and chips.
I chose French’s for two reasons: firstly, the queue was shorter than at other establishments, and secondly, it is one of Norfolk’s most renowned chippies, having recently been recognised at the National Fish and Chip Awards. I opted for a small portion of cod and chips, accompanied by a can of Dr. Pepper, which totalled £9.80.
Fish and chips may not be the budget-friendly seaside treat they once were, but from the moment I took my first bite, I knew they were worth every penny. The fish was succulent and flaky, while the chips offered just the right amount of crunch.
Despite being a small portion, it was still substantial in size and I savoured every morsel.
After savouring one of the British seaside’s most iconic treats, I still had a craving for another classic – ice cream. So, my next stop was an ice cream parlour for some…well…ice cream.
John’s Rock Shop lured me in with its vibrant walls and its motto of ‘One Quality Only – The Best!
I opted for a regular Mr. Whippy ice cream cone with a flake, which set me back £4. Despite battling the heat to consume it before it melted, each mouthful was more delicious than the last.
With £6.20 remaining in my pocket to make the most of Wells-next-the-Sea, I thought it would be rather lovely to purchase a memento to remember my visit to the coastal town. As I strolled through the town centre, I stumbled upon a shop named ‘Mr. C’s’, filled with shovels, spades, postcards, footballs and numerous other items, so I ventured inside to explore further.
As my budget dwindled, I became increasingly conscious of my spending. Most, if not all, of the souvenirs on display were priced around £5 or more, which would have left me penniless.
However, I did discover a Wells-next-the-Sea fishing boat souvenir, which cost me approximately £4.99.
With a mere £1.21 left in my pocket, I strolled around the town centre and harbour, seeking out potential purchases within my dwindling budget. As expected, options were limited, but the presence of several arcades sparked an idea – why not try my luck?
I ventured into ‘Pop Inn Amusements’, a bustling hub of games and machines. Fortunately, many of the games fell within my budget, so I decided to take a chance.
Two claw machines caught my eye – one filled with golden eggs (£1) and another boasting Mario plushes (30p). Regrettably, luck was not on my side, and I walked away empty-handed.
The day’s total expenditure came to £20.10, slightly over budget, but nonetheless, it was a fantastic day out. It just goes to show that a fulfilling day doesn’t necessarily require a hefty budget.
Moreover, costs could be further reduced by bringing your own picnic and beach essentials. It’s worth noting that our £20 budget did not include parking.
Wells-next-the-Sea offers several car parks with varying prices and locations. Alternatively, you could opt for The Coastliner bus (number 36) as your mode of transport.
Here is a breakdown of all the expenses incurred during my day trip to Wells-next-the-Sea.
- Small cod and chips + Can of Dr. Pepper (£9.80)
- Regular Mr. Whippy Ice cream cone with flake (£4.00)
- Wells-next-the-Sea fishing boat souvenir (£4.99)
- Games at the amusement arcade (£1.30)
Total spent: £20.10