Wells-next-the-Sea is the name of an English seaside town. When I heard its name, I went down an etymology rabbit hole.
The town was filled with freshwater wells, and so it was logically called ‘Wells’. But to avoid confusion with similarly named towns, the ‘next-the-Sea’ was added in the 1800s. Ironically, the town is not on the coast, but is located in an inlet surrounded by salt marshes and is about a mile’s walk from the sea.
There’s no magic to today’s post. Wells-next-the-Sea was an endearing name that caught my attention, and it immediately made me curious to understand its history and share it with you. I also wouldn’t have thought a name alone would do this, but it’s certainly made me want to visit.