Fieldwork Sites

As a part of the Centre's Eco-Code we aim to keep activities within a five mile radius of the Centre, walking to activity sites whenever possible. Being located in the heart of the small fishing port and holiday town of Wells we are just five minutes walk from the quay and salt marshes, with the beach and pinewoods being only a mile away.

Wells Town

Wells is a quiet port and seaside town, where the former extensive seafaring and trading tradition is in evidence through its boats, buildings, maritime museum and lifeboat. Tourism provides employment in the town and has taken over from port activities as the economic mainstay. The threat of floods such as in 1953 and 1978 is shown by the many sea defences protecting the town. The heart of Wells is characterised by the traditional flint cottages and yards, while the elegant Georgian houses of the Buttlands and the newer residential areas show the development of the town. Geographically and historically there is much to discover and compare with your home locality.

Wells Saltmarsh

Wells lies at the western edge of an eleven kilometre uninterrupted belt of saltmarsh, one of the largest in Northern Europe and part of Holkham National Nature Reserve. It is quiet, wild, desolate, submerged or birdful, sunny, windy, brown or coloured depending upon the season or time of your visit. It is always wet, fascinating and muddy and a habitat few children have visited. Wells saltmarsh is internationally important for increasingly uncommon plants and birds. Legends abound!

Wells Beach

Wells beach is an exciting and dynamic shore. Wide, flat and sandy in some places, pebbly in others, muddy and wet where sheltered by the sand dunes. It provides a range of microhabitats for shellfish, marine worms and plants and is internationally important for shorebirds. The effects of erosion and deposition on the beach, its wildlife, the livelihoods of townspeople and holiday makers all merit study. A wonderful place at all seasons!

Wells Pinewoods

This unusual pinewood coastal woodland was planed by the Holkham Estate in the mid 19th Century to stabilise sand dunes and protect reclaimed farmland from windblown sand. It contains a mixture of native and introduced species, wildflowers, shrubs and non flowering plants. It is home to invertebrate, bird, mammal and other animal communities. The woods form part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve and are used extensively for recreation, raising interesting issues. The Pinewoods can be used for many scientific activities and investigations or as a resource for other curriculum areas, e.g. as a site for art, creative writing, practical maths etc.

Places outside Wells

There are many other places of interest just outside Wells and along the North Norfolk Coast where fieldwork can be undertaken. The magnificent earthworks at Warham, the ruins of Binham Priory and Holkham deer park are all used regularly.

We are pleased to bring to your attention the Tudor and Medieval Living History days and programmes supporting Spiritual Development offered at the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham. Full details and booing information are available from the Shrine Education Officer, Janet Marshall on 01328 824205.

Generally unless transport other than the Centre minibus is available fieldwork takes place very locally. Visits further afield can be undertaken but these have time. transport and environmental implications.