Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Skegness, Lincolnshire

Skegness, a traditional English seaside resort located in Lincolnshire, boasts a Blue Flag beach, a Victorian pier, fairground rides, and a collection of nostalgic family attractions.

A significant portion of its charm lies along Grand Parade, a coastal stretch adorned with gardens and intersecting with the pier.

The resort’s notable mascot is the Jolly Fisherman, an illustration created by John Hassall in 1908 for a Great Northern Railway promotional poster.

He is depicted on the shore with the phrase, “Skegness is so Bracing,” which rings true.

During sunny days in July and August, the north-easterly breeze provides a refreshing touch, allowing visitors to relax on the beach, savor fish and chips, explore the National Trust Gunby Hall, and engage with the rescued seals at the Natureland Seal Sanctuary.

Let’s delve into the top activities to experience in Skegness:

1. Skegness Beach

An annual Blue Flag recipient, Skegness Beach has also attained the “Quality Coast Award.” The beach features a vast and immaculate expanse of golden sand, requiring a brief walk just to reach the shoreline.

Visible on the horizon, eight kilometers from the coast, are the 75 turbines of the Lincs Wind Farm, which have a generation capacity of 750MW. At low tide, a long lagoon forms where children can explore beach wildlife.

A modest promenade begins south of Skegness Pier, equipped with shelters for winter’s harsh winds, alongside donkey rides and ice cream vendors in summer.

2. Skegness Pier

Pleasure piers are fundamental to most English seaside towns, and the Skegness pier has been a local fixture since 1881. It was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, attracting 100,000 visitors annually at its peak and serving as the departure point for cruises to the Wash.

In 1978, the pier suffered significant storm damage, shortening from half a kilometer to 118 meters.

Visitors can stroll along these remaining boards to gaze over the North Sea and admire the expansive sandy shore of Skegness Beach.

The pier includes a soft play area, trampolines for children, and an arcade where youngsters can accumulate tickets redeemable for prizes.

3. Natureland Seal Sanctuary

Situated near the beach on North Parade, Natureland Seal Sanctuary has been a valued attraction since 1965. Primarily functioning as a rescue center for injured harbor seals and orphaned pups found along Lincolnshire’s coast, it showcases rehabilitation efforts as the seals prepare for their return to the North Sea.

Visitors can observe feeding times at the Sanctuary Bay Pool, where the seals are actively engaged.

The sanctuary also houses various other animals, including alpacas, penguins, meerkats, and livestock, along with a tropical house featuring crocodiles, snakes, and scorpions.

The Floral Palace, a humid environment, showcases a variety of tropical and Mediterranean plants inhabited by vibrant butterflies.

4. Diamond Jubilee Clock Tower

The resort’s most prominent feature is this Neo-Gothic clock tower, erected in 1899 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee two years prior.

Together with the Jolly Fisherman, the tower has contributed significantly to Skegness’s identity, characterized by its blind arches flanked by pinnacles, below an octagonal column topped with a four-faced clock beneath a slate roof and weather vane.

With entertainment and attractions surrounding it, the tower is strategically located at the junction of Grand Parade and Lumley Road.

Over time, the ground beneath has settled slightly, causing the tower to lean toward the town.

5. The Village Church Farm

Located near Skegness railway station, this is the only open-air farm museum in Lincolnshire, set on the grounds of a former farm that retains its 18th-century farmhouse.

Some structures have been relocated from local villages, including a charming “mud and stud” thatched cottage.

These buildings host exhibitions related to agriculture and rural life in the 19th and 20th centuries, showcasing household interiors, various machines, and tools, along with information about local livestock breeds such as longwool sheep and red poll cattle.

The Havenhouse tea room offers homemade cakes and freshly prepared meals, with opportunities for visitors to engage in weekly activities like archery or painting classes.

6. Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve

A short drive south from Skegness leads to a National Nature Reserve comprising two parallel sand dune ridges that border a rich expanse of salt marsh.

Gibraltar Point serves as a winter habitat for Arctic waterfowl and shorebirds such as red knots, grey plovers, bar-tailed godwits, and Eurasian oystercatchers, while little terns find suitable breeding conditions here.

The reserve features numerous walking paths, along with hides and artificial lakes that offer close-up views of the birdlife.

The Visitor Centre provides terrariums and aquariums showcasing species from the Lincolnshire coast, along with insightful information about Gibraltar Point’s unique ecosystem.

7. Tower Gardens

Adjacent to the Clock Tower on Grand Parade, the Grade II listed Tower Gardens were established in the 1870s as part of the town’s development plans initiated in 1868. Previously owned by Lord Scarborough, the gardens were opened to the public in 1878 as a space for relaxation.

Prior to their establishment, the land served as a cargo depot for the local port and later as a coal yard.

The gardens underwent renovations in the 1920s, incorporating pavilions, bridges, sunken formal gardens, mock castles, and a bowling green, all typical of English seaside parks.

During the summer months, Tower Gardens frequently hosts free entertainment, featuring events from Punch and Judy puppet shows to jazz concerts.

8. Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens

Located ten minutes outside Skegness, on the fringes of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Gunby Hall is a Grade I listed country house dating back to around 1700. It is accessed via a long, half-mile driveway, and both the hall and its expansive grounds are maintained by the National Trust.

During your visit, you will gain insights into the Massingberd Family, who resided here from 1700 to 1967, as you explore three floors of the house – including a 300-year-old oak staircase leading to bedrooms, a dining room, an impressive library, bathrooms (notably, the “loo with a view”), and a study filled with artifacts brought from India by Field Marshal Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd.

Allocate time to discover the gardens, which feature impeccably manicured lawns, a wildflower pathway, a canal, and a walled kitchen garden where seasonal produce is available for purchase in the tea room.

9. Pleasure Beach

Situated along Skegness Beach between the Pier and the Clock Tower Esplanade, Pleasure Beach is a fairground-inspired attraction for families, teens, and those young at heart.

It features numerous amusement arcades, carousels, dodgems, a giant wheel with 18 gondolas, a pirate boat ride, an adventure golf course, and a ten-pin bowling alley.

For daredevils among older children and adults, there is the thrilling Freakout ride.

Moreover, Pleasure Beach offers classic fairground treats including doughnuts, candy floss, ice cream, and hot dogs.

10. Hardy’s Animal Farm

A brief ten-minute walk from Ingoldmells beach leads to Hardy’s Animal Farm, a secure environment for children to interact with animals and learn about modern farming practices.

Set on seven acres of lush countryside, Hardy’s Animal Farm provides visitors with opportunities to feed a range of animals and observe the birthing of pigs in a designated glass enclosure.

The farm welcomes newborns during spring and summer, including calves, lambs, chicks, and goat kids.

Facilities include an indoor play area as well as a sizable outdoor playground, allowing children to unleash their energy.

On sunny days, tractor rides offer an opportunity for nostalgic enjoyment.

11. Embassy Theatre

For those seeking light entertainment, the Embassy Theatre on Grand Parade offers a diverse program.

Throughout the summer season, the theatre features an extensive lineup of cover acts, established musicians, theatrical productions, comedians, and guest appearances by celebrities (such as Anthony Joshua and Paul Gascoigne during the time of this report). Although not all performances are geared towards children, there are matinees designed for younger audiences, including “Peppa Pig’s Adventure” in 2018.

12. Skegness Aquarium

On those occasions when the weather is less than favorable, families can enjoy an engaging and educational experience at Skegness Aquarium.

The attraction incorporates a loose pirate theme, with staff donning buccaneer costumes and a quiz trail designed to captivate younger visitors.

A highlight of the experience is “Davy Jones’ Locker,” an underwater tunnel that allows guests to observe sharks and rays swimming overhead.

Throughout the aquarium, there are several well-designed interactive stations.

The Interactive Sandpit allows children to mold landscapes by creating mountains, rivers, and seas, aided by an overhead projection.

Additionally, the Draw Alive interactive setup enables kids to color their marine creature illustrations and see them transformed into CGI animations.

13. Skegness Model Village

This charming attraction, representing the type of gentle entertainment that characterized English seaside resorts in the mid-20th century, is located within a serene landscaped garden.

Differing from many model villages, this one does not replicate specific landmarks; instead, it constructs an idealized English village, including shops, houses, a church, numerous miniature figures, and a fairground with moving attractions.

Part of the enjoyment lies in reading the humorous business names and shop signs, such as “Willie Cheatam’s” greengrocer and the “Curl Up & Dye” hair salon.

14. Horse Riding

Lincolnshire’s countryside, while predominantly flat, possesses a picturesque quality that is ideal for exploration on horseback.

Within close proximity to Skegness, there are four equestrian centers offering lessons for novices as well as hacks through farmland and along the coastline.

If you possess some experience with horses, consider inquiring about a beach trek, allowing you to ride with the surf gently lapping at your horse’s hooves.

Orchard Farm Riding Centre, located 15 minutes from Skegness, provides 18-mile full-day rides across the Lincolnshire Wolds, which include picnic breaks and conclude at a natural spring where horses can cool off in the summer.

15. Golf

For those who favor leisurely rounds of golf, Skegness offers three accessible courses.

The oldest is the Seacroft Golf Club, renowned as a links course partly situated on the Gibraltar Point dunes, founded in 1895, frequently mentioned in publications as one of the top 100 courses in the country.

Green fees remain reasonable for a club of its kind, with a maximum charge of £70 on summer weekends.

For even more affordability, the Skegness Golf Centre features a nine-hole course, with the 3rd and 9th holes providing challenges for overly ambitious approach shots.

Playing here can cost as little as £11, and the facility includes a well-stocked pro shop and a driving range with 16 bays for practice.

The North Shore Golf Club, located just north of the Seal Sanctuary, offers an equally budget-friendly 18-hole par-71 course that combines links and parkland features.