Eliza Adams Lifeboat Memorial

Walking along the shingle at Wells-next-the-Sea, you'll spot a simple stone memorial dedicated to Eliza Adams, one of Britain's most remarkable lifeboat crew members. She was the only female member of the lifeboat service to die on duty - lost in 1838 during a rescue mission. It's a sobering reminder of the dangerous work these volunteers undertook, often in absolutely brutal conditions.

The memorial itself isn't grand or showy. That's rather the point. It sits quietly near the beach, a place of genuine reflection rather than spectacle. You can read the inscription, take in the North Norfolk coastline, and understand why this stretch of water demanded such bravery from ordinary people.

History enthusiasts will find it worthwhile, particularly if you're interested in maritime heritage or Victorian-era social history. It won't occupy hours of your time - count on twenty minutes or so - but it's the sort of thing that sticks with you. Kids might find it a bit sombre, though older teenagers interested in local stories will appreciate the human element.

If you're based at Pinewoods Holiday Park, you're practically on the doorstep - under a mile away. The Norfolk Brickyard is also nearby if you're combining attractions. Wells itself is a proper little seaside town with a working harbour, so you can tie the memorial visit into a wider coastal exploration. Go when the weather's reasonable; the beach here gets bleak in winter, and the memorial deserves decent conditions.