If you’re looking for beaches in Lincolnshire, you will have plenty to choose from.
The county’s coastline runs for more than 50 miles, along the North Sea. With blue flag resorts, stunning scenery and fantastic fish and chips, the Lincolnshire coastline is amongst some of the finest in the UK.
Best for: Long Walks – Anderby Creek
Tucked between Skegness and Mablethorpe, Anderby Creek is considered to be a bit of a hidden gem on the Lincolnshire coast. Relatively undeveloped, the beach here is much more low-key than some of Lincolnshire’s better known resorts. There are no noisy amusements, just a lovely stretch of soft sand. You will find miles of unspoiled coastline to explore here, making it perfect for long peaceful walks.
Anderby Creek is also home to the world’s first dedicated cloud observation platform. Installed in 2009, the Cloud Bar has been designated as an “official spotting area” by the Cloud Appreciation Society.
Situated on top of a sand dune, this unique platform offers a 360-degree panorama of the North Sea and out to the Lincolnshire Wolds. There are five rotatable convex mirrors pointing skyward, and a handy “cloud menu” to help you identify the cloud types as they float by. Whether you sit down, lay down or simply stare at the sky - you'll never look at clouds in the same way again!
Best for: Wildlife Watching – Sandilands
Located between Sutton-on-Sea and Chapel St. Leonards, Sandilands is one of the wildest beaches in Lincolnshire. It is the first beach in the East Midlands to be acquired by the National Trust, who are working hard to protect the natural landscape.
There is an old golf course just behind the beach which has been transformed into a new nature reserve – forming part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. The aim is to encourage and protect wildlife in the area, whilst creating a year-round nature experience for visitors to enjoy. There has already been a total of 217 bird species recorded in the area - some of which are national rarities. Take some binoculars and you might spot something special!
If you just want to chill on the beach, the sand here runs for miles. Like Anderby Creek, this stretch of coastline hasn’t been commercialised so you can simply sit back and enjoy the scenery. Stick around for the sunset and you will be rewarded with the most incredible views!
Best for: Peace & Quiet - Sutton-on-Sea
Just over an hour’s drive from Lincoln, Sutton-on-Sea is a quaint and charming seaside town. Although it is next door to Mablethorpe, Sutton is a much quieter alternative. There are some great cafes and amenities here, but the town has resisted over-development, so it still feels very local and homely.
Sutton’s award-winning Blue Flag beach is huge, so you will have plenty of space to spread out and relax. As the waves are fairly gentle, swimming is also popular here. The beach has lifeguard cover from June to September, so if you do want to take a dip, it’s recommended that you swim between the flags so they can see you.
Like much of the Lincolnshire coastline, Sutton-on-Sea has access to some great walking and cycling trails. The England Coast Path runs from Skegness to Mablethorpe, following the North Sea. Join the path at Sutton and it will take you around an hour to walk to Mablethorpe, where you will find a plethora of family-friendly amenities.
As the beach here is completely open to the elements, it can be quite bracing out of season, but we think that makes it even more fun. The famous Lincolnshire skies seem even bigger out by the coast, and Sutton-on-Sea is definitely the place to enjoy them!
Best for: Dogs – Theddlethorpe Beach
If you’ve got a pooch who loves the sea, Theddlethorpe is the beach for you. Although most of the beaches in Lincolnshire allow dogs, there are quite often restrictions in place during the summer season. Theddlethorpe is dog-friendly all year round and the huge beach here is perfect for energetic pups.
With very few amenities, Theddlethorpe maybe isn’t a great choice for a family day out, but that also means it’s usually extremely quiet. If you love to explore off the beaten track, this beach will definitely appeal. The vast expanse of sand is perfect for walking and running - the only thing to be aware of, is that it’s quite a distance to reach the sea!
In addition to the scenic coastline, there are also miles of salt marshes and sand dunes here. You’ll need proper footwear to walk through these, but it makes for an interesting route to the beach. The Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes are a designated National Nature Reserve and a haven for local wildlife – especially migrating birds.
If you want to touch base with reality, the more commercial Mablethorpe is just a 15 minute drive away. Alternatively, you can always head inland to Louth, which is around 12 miles from the coast. Situated at the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, this Georgian market town has some great cafes and restaurants, perfect for quenching that sea air appetite.
Best for: Entertainment – Skegness
Skegness is without a doubt the most famous seaside resort in Lincolnshire. With a Blue Flag beach and an abundance of family fun on offer, it’s also one of the most popular.
There are loads of child-friendly activities here, from thrilling fairground rides to traditional arcade games. Full of noise and colour, the Skegness Promenade definitely awakens the senses – in the best way possible. As soon as you arrive, the smell of doughnuts and candy floss fills the air, and there’s no shortage of fish and chip shops either.
Even if you don’t want to hit the amusements, the beach here is plentiful. Although it can get busy during the summer, the crowds tend to stick close to the town centre. It’s worth walking a bit further out to get your own space - the North Shore tends to be the quietest part of the beach.
During your visit, its also worth popping by the Natureland Seal Sanctuary. This centre rescues orphaned and injured seals that have become stranded on Lincolnshire beaches. You can watch the seals get fed, find out more about the rescue process and see each stage of their rehabilitation.
The sanctuary is also home to a number of other rescued animals, including penguins. There is a tropical area, with reptiles and butterflies, and a pets corner where you can feed some very mischievous goats…
Best for: Families – Chapel St. Leonards
Situated just 7 miles from Skegness, Chapel St. Leonards is a small seaside village, with a beautiful beach.
Much quieter than neighbouring ‘SkegVegas’, Chapel is a great choice for families. There are still plenty of amenities here, including some traditional amusement arcades, but it is a much more low key environment. The beach is fairly sheltered so it’s good for children, and there’s more than enough space for sandcastles.
On the northern edge of Chapel St. Leonards, you will find Chapel Point. Once a major coastal defence in the Second World War, Chapel Point is now home to the North Sea Observatory. The only purpose-built Marine Observatory in the UK, this impressive attraction offers incredible views across the sea. There’s also a lovely café here, with an outdoor terrace. This a great stop off on a summer’s day, and even better for warming up in the winter.
Lined with pretty beach huts, the promenade at Chapel St. Leonards is a popular route for cyclists. It’s part of the England Coast Path, so there are direct routes to both Skegness and Sutton-On-Sea. The journey is relatively straight and flat, so the whole family can give it a go. If you want to take a break along the way, you’ll find plenty of picturesque spots en-route, perfect for a picnic and a photo op!
