Summary
In the 19th century, the fishing village of Cleethorpes, located on the Humber Estuary, underwent a transformation into a bathing resort for vacationers traveling by train from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Many attractions that drew Victorian visitors to Cleethorpes are still present today, including the expansive beach, pier, boating lake, promenade, and a series of well-maintained seafront gardens.
During summer days, Cleethorpes offers opportunities for basking in the sun, engaging in rounds of crazy golf, and enjoying local favorites such as fish and chips along with ice cream.
The miniature railway here is regarded as one of the finest in the country, having been established in 1948, while the neighboring town of Grimsby was historically the world’s largest fishing port.
Let us delve into the top activities to experience in Cleethorpes:
1. Cleethorpes Beach
The Cleethorpes seafront features a long stretch of golden sandy beach, bordered by a promenade, gardens, amusements, and various outlets for refreshments such as ice cream or tea.
This beach has a gentle slope and boasts a vast intertidal zone.
Low tide unveils a wide expanse of mud, exposing remnants of a forest that thrived in this area approximately 4,000 years ago.
If you decide to explore the flats, it is advisable to monitor the tide times closely.
During the summer school holidays, the beach can quickly become crowded, particularly near the pier; however, walking southwards can lead you to quieter areas.
Children can enjoy donkey rides on the sand, and, as will be detailed, numerous attractions are situated just steps from the shoreline.
2. Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway
This charming miniature railway runs alongside the seashore in Cleethorpes.
Having recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, the railway operates 45-minute round trips throughout the day from March to September, making stops at three stations.
Passengers travel on one of 12 steam or diesel locomotives, with the oldest dating back to 1933. The principal station, Lakeside Central, features a café and the Signal Box Inn, claimed to be the smallest pub in the world, accommodating only four patrons at a time.
At Kingsway station, visitors will discover the railway’s gift shop, which offers a range of souvenirs.
3. Grimsby
Given your proximity, there is little reason not to visit the traditional fishing port of Grimsby.
While the fishing industry in Grimsby has diminished since the (non-violent) Cod Wars with Iceland in the mid-20th century, it continues to play a vital role in the local economy and remains ingrained in the town’s identity.
The principal landmark in Grimsby is the 61-meter tall Dock Tower (1852), featuring a Renaissance-style façade reminiscent of Siena’s Palazzo Pubblico, which hides a substantial reservoir that supplied hydraulic power to dock machinery.
Other notable industrial heritage sites include the Corporation Bridge, the Grimsby Ice Factory, and the imposing Victoria Mill.
The Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre chronicles the history of the far-away fishing fleet, featuring a 20th-century trawler, the Ross Tiger, which is available for tours.
4. Cleethorpes Pier Gardens
Bordering the Central Promenade adjacent to Cleethorpes Beach, the Pier Gardens represent a meticulously maintained seafront park typical of English coastal resorts.
A consistent recipient of the Green Flag award, the gardens date back to the 1860s and feature beautifully arranged formal flowerbeds, well-kept lawns, trimmed hedges, rockeries, and lush shrubs.
At the heart of the gardens lies an ornamental waterfall, with a crazy golf course and putting green located just behind it.
Visitors can take in far-reaching views of the Humber Estuary, and at the southern end, the Victorian folly known as Ross Castle awaits further exploration.
5. Cleethorpes Boating Lake
Located at the southern end of the resort’s waterfront is Cleethorpes Boating Lake, a remnant from the Victorian era.
This attraction consists of two lakes connected by a narrow channel; the northern lake is designated for fishing and model boating enthusiasts, while the southern section has offered pedal boats and rowboats for over a century during the summer months.
At the center, an illuminated fountain complements a lush green surrounding.
A tree trail has been established along the water’s edge, allowing visitors to identify various tree species, including copper beech, sycamore, Lombardy-poplar, Corsican pine, Monterey pine, and an assortment of fruit trees.
A restoration of the Boating Lake in the early 2000s introduced the Cleethorpes Discovery Centre, which includes a gallery and café.
6. Cleethorpes Discovery Centre
Situated on the shores of the Boating Lake, Cleethorpes Discovery Centre offers insight into local culture.
Spread over two floors, the Community Gallery and Exhibition Gallery host temporary exhibitions that showcase the town’s history, alongside short-term displays by artists with both local and national recognition.
The Lakeside Café features a terrace overlooking the boating lake, and nearby is the ABP (Associated British Ports) Humber Observatory.
This observatory provides an expansive view of the UK’s busiest estuary, featuring an interactive display that tracks shipping movements in real time.
7. Jungle Zoo
Adjacent to Cleethorpes Boating Lake, this compact animal attraction aims to engage children with a variety of harmless creatures.
The Jungle Zoo showcases species such as ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, capuchin monkeys, pygmy goats, kune kune pigs, and a range of birds, including barn owls, Amazon parrots, and macaws.
In terrariums, visitors can observe reptiles such as chameleons, Burmese pythons, softshell turtles, and various frog species.
Each day, the Jungle Zoo organizes a schedule of feeding sessions, keeper talks, and demonstrations.
8. Cleethorpes Country Park
Surprisingly, a substantial expanse of countryside lies just inland from Cleethorpes’ waterfront, adjacent to the town’s golf club.
This area was previously farmland until 1988, when a seven-acre lake was excavated in its center.
For 364 days each year, visitors can explore 153 acres of trails that wind through the woodland and grassland surrounding the lake.
During winter, the lake serves as a roosting site for migratory bird species at high tide.
Skylarks, easily recognized by their red crest, inhabit the grasslands during spring and summer.
Fishing, boating, and pond dipping are allowed in the lake, and there is a designated area for dogs to swim.
9. Ross Castle
Not to be confused with the monument located in Ireland, Ross Castle is a folly constructed by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway in 1863, at what was then the highest point on the cliffs behind Cleethorpes Beach.
Resembling a Medieval ruin, the folly is named after Edward Ross, who served as the secretary of the railway company at that time.
The stone structure is draped in foliage, enhancing its gravitas, while its flagpole hoists the Blue Flag in the years that Cleethorpes Beach receives that designation.
Climbing to the top provides a rewarding view of the beach, pier, and Pier Gardens.
10. Cleethorpes Pier
This structure has a noteworthy history; Cleethorpes Pier was inaugurated in 1873. Originally extending over 365 meters in length to compensate for the significant fluctuations between high and low tide in the estuary.
However, its length was deemed a potential vulnerability for defense in the event of a German invasion during the Second World War, leading to the removal of all but the landward 100 meters.
Like many British piers, this structure has faced challenges including fires and ownership disputes, yet the pavilion built in 1905 remains intact.
This pavilion has served multiple purposes, including as an exhibition hall and nightclub, but as of 2018, it houses a branch of Papa’s Fish and Chips, which claims to be the largest fish and chips establishment in the UK.
11. Weelsby Woods
Situated at the border of Cleethorpes and Grimsby, Weelsby Woods is a vast park that occupies the site of a former manor house, which has since been demolished.
This park features a mosaic of mature woodlands, meadows, and well-maintained lawns, donated to Grimsby in the 1950s by the Boston Deep Sea Fishing and Ice Company.
Among the park’s notable features are the pair of ornamental stone lions that guard the entrance, commissioned in 1876 by a local fishing merchant and gifted to the council in 1915.
12. Greenwich Meridian Line
Cleethorpes lies on the Prime Meridian at 0° Longitude, with the line traversing the town en route to the Humber Estuary.
The coastal path by the southern edge of the Boating Lake features a bronze marker in the ground indicating the line, adjacent to benches where visitors can pause to enjoy the views of the estuary.
A signpost along the path provides directions and distances to various locations worldwide, including London at 143 miles and more distant places like New York (3,418 miles) and the South Pole (9,919 miles).
13. Waltham Windmill
A visit to Lincolnshire’s picturesque countryside can be fulfilled at this windmill, located not far from Grimsby.
This site has housed a succession of windmills since 1666, with the existing structure dating back to 1878. The mill operated using wind power until 1963 and was last restored in 2013, with six of its sails and its cap still intact, allowing it to grind flour occasionally.
The grounds feature a variety of small but charming attractions, including a miniature railway, a café housed in a former Great Northern Railway carriage, a museum focusing on rural life in Lincolnshire, and a museum dedicated to telecommunication history.
14. Tetney Marshes
Continuing down the coast, just past Thorpe Park Holiday, you will find an essential chain of nature reserves located along the Humber Estuary.
This site is managed by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), and its wetland environment attracts a multitude of wading birds, particularly during the autumn migration.
During September and October, as many as 30,000 waders can be spotted at Tetney Marshes.
Among the various species such as sanderlings, ringed plovers, common sandpipers, curlews, godwits, and redshanks, you may encounter rarities like the American white-rumped sandpiper.
15. Armed Forces Day Parades
During the last weekend of June, Cleethorpes’ waterfront hosts parades, live music performed by military bands, remembrance ceremonies, fireworks, aerial displays, and markets as a tribute to Armed Forces Day.
In 2016, the event for the entire UK took place in Cleethorpes, while in 2018 an extended program was organized to honor the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
The RAF’s aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, which is stationed at RAF Scampton, consistently provides a highlight of the event each year.
Additionally, history enthusiasts can spot vintage aircraft such as Spitfires, a Dakota, a Catalina, and a BAC Strikemaster soaring over the resort.
