Skegness might have a reputation for being windswept, but the same is true of the rest of Lincolnshire’s open coastline, forged by mankind in the centuries-old battle to reclaim land from the North Sea. And, of course, a lot depends on what time of the year you visit.
One vast sandy suntrap of a beach stretches more than 40 miles from Cleethorpes in the north to Gibraltar Point in the south, backed by dunes and salt marshes for most of the way. If you want wide open spaces, this is the best place to be. This impressive shoreline offers wild and unspoilt nature reserves where few people venture, even in the height of the summer, plus big tourist resorts such as Mablethorpe and Ingoldmells.
Most of Lincolnshire’s beaches are pollution-free and have won awards for their cleanliness. And all the beaches at the popular resorts offer safe bathing and are patrolled by lifeguards.

1 GRIMSBY
Once the world’s largest fishing port, Grimsby would surely never be anyone’s idea of a top holiday destination. This Humberside port was founded a thousand years ago by a Viking named Grim, and at one time you could have been forgiven for thinking “grim by name, grim by nature”.
But since the decline of the fishing industry in the 1970s, Lincolnshire’s largest town has been redeveloped. Freshney Place is the county’s largest indoor shopping centre, Abbeygate is a Victorian arcade housing high-class shops, and the Riverhead Centre offers plenty of places to eat. You can discover the town’s fascinating history at the National Fishing Heritage Centre, and moored nearby is the one-time pride of Grimsby’s fishing fleet, the Ross Tiger.
Grimsby hosts one of the largest fish markets in the UK, and a farmers’ market takes place on the third Friday of each month in St James Square, selling local produce ranging from herbs to ostrich meat.

2 CLEETHORPES
Although it passed its peak as a popular resort decades ago, Cleethorpes still has plenty to offer, not least four miles of sandy Blue Flag beaches. It lies on the estuary of the River Humber rather than the coast. Here you’ll find all the traditional family seaside attractions such as donkey rides and souvenir shops selling rock along its promenade. But did you know that Cleethorpes also boasts one of the finest miniature seaside railways in the country? The award-winning Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway uses the complete miniature line, steam engines and rolling stock, transported from Birmingham’s Sutton Park, which closed in 1962.
By day, the Pleasure Island Family Theme Park offers hair-raising rides and attractions, while Playtowers is an indoor playground paradise for youngsters. The Winter Gardens provide a variety of night-time family entertainment from tea dances to junior discos as well as an annual beer festival.

3 THE SEAL SHORES
Colossal expanses of Lincolnshire’s coast are barely inhabited wildernesses, with the sea rolling back at low tide to become a speck on the horizon, revealing huge expanses of sand. Sand dunes and sea banks protect the low-lying flatlands beyond.
Access to several parts of the coastline between Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe is restricted due to its use as an RAF bombing range. This doesn’t seem to bother the numerous species of wild birds and the common and grey seals, which take advantage of the solitude and use areas such as the sandflats at Donna Nook as a breeding ground.
Your safest bet for seeing seals up close is to pay a visit to the Seal Sanctuary and Nature Centre at North End, Mablethorpe, which rescues injured seals and pups that have been abandoned by their mothers.

4 MABLETHORPE and TRUSTHORPE
One hundred years ago, Mablethorpe was just as deserted a spot as the dunes to the north. Today it is a bustling resort with golden sands. A cluster of amusement arcades dominates one part of the town, and the colourful Queens Park flower beds front the beach. The park also has a paddling pool, a boating lake and a crazy golf course, while vintage bus and sand-train trips run along the promenade. The biggest night of the year comes in July when the illuminations are switched on. The village of Trusthorpe is essentially the quieter southern end of the resort.

5 SUTTON-ON-SEA
Sutton-on-Sea is one of the more sedate resorts. It is also fronted by a wide sweeping expanse of sands and has won a European Blue Flag Award for six years in a row. Tea shops and chalets for hire abound, and the red-brick parish church of St Clements with its leaning tower is worth a look. This is a good spot for those seeking a more peaceful day out.

6 INGOLDMELLS
This holiday village is made up of caravan and chalet parks, centred around the giant amusement parks of Fantasy Island and Butlins Holiday Camp. Butlins, which is open to day visitors, is a visitor attraction in its own right, with its sub-tropical Splash Waterworld and Enid Blyton’s Toyland. The latest Fantasy Island attraction is the Odyssey, which is one of the world’s longest rides, with the steepest drop in Europe.

7 SKEGNESS
Skegness has improved both its image and facilities over the past decade. A clean promenade offers plenty of parking next to the Blue Flag beach, while the Compass Gardens offer new heated indoor and outdoor pools. There’s an amusement complex, a fun fair, and a wealth of pubs, clubs and restaurants. In high season, the town is illuminated by night and the Embassy Theatre features big-name acts such as Ken Dodd, Hank Marvin and Val Doonican.
The Natureland Seal Sanctuary and Church Farm Museum are close by, while Gibraltar Point, with its nature reserve and visitor centre, lies four miles south.