The original church was probably built in the thirteenth century next to the ancient harbour. Like most English churches, it was progressively altered and enlarged in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Its style was, at the Reformation when most church building stopped, Perpendicular. The exterior remained much the same until in 1879 the church was struck by lightning and burnt down. Rebuilding which began very quickly was completed in 1883 - this time incorporating a lightning conductor on the tower - in a similar style to the original, though lacking stained glass.
The churchyard contains the grave of John Fryer, sailing master of the famed warship the Bounty whose captain was James Bligh. Fryer wasborn in Wells-next-the-Sea in 1753, and is buried in the churchyard of St Nicholas,
The Church is usually open during the day for prayer as well as for historical interest.
St Nicholas is the Anglican parish church serving the town of Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast. It is one of four churches which make up the Holkham benefice in the Diocese of Norwich. the others are Holkham, Warham and Wighton.
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