quaint seaside village with award-winning beach
Sutton on Sea was originally known as Sutton in the Marsh. Away from the bright lights and attractions of the nearby resorts, Sutton has a blue flag award winning sandy beach, traditional beach huts and a children’s paddling pool - beloved by families for generations. The promenade provides walks for miles both north and south, along England’s Coast Path. A family tennis tournament has been held in the first week of August since 1928.
Sutton on Sea is noted for a good range of independent shops. Word from those in the know: a great Sunday lunch at the Bacchus Hotel which dates from 1691, delicious scones at The Corner House Café, Bennet’s, a classic Lincolnshire butcher noted for its pork pies and look out for two good fish and chip shops in Waldo’s and The Dolphin.
SPECIAL TO sutton on sea
Blue Flag sandy beach
Independent shops
New National Trust Nature Reserve at Sandilands
top things to do near Sutton on Sea
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre (BBMF)
Butlin’s Big Weekenders – Skegness
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway
Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
Orchard Farm Equestrian Centre
Station Leisure & Learning Centre, Mablethorpe
The King Charles III England Coast Path
Chapel St Leonards to Skegness Promenade Cycling
Cleethorpes Seafront Birdwatching
Dunes Leisure Mablethorpe Fairground
Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Birdwatching
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Birdwatching
Sutton on Sea to Chapel St Leonards Promenade Cycling
The Ship Inn, Chapel St Leonards
Alford to the Coast Cycle Route
Dobson’s Mill & Heritage Centre Burgh le Marsh
Grimsby Revolution Cycle Route
Lincolnshire Wolds’ Challenge Cycle Route
Spilsby to Wainfleet All Saints Cycle Route
The Skegness and District Heritage Centre
Nature & Landscapes
Sandilands
Sandilands is on the south side of Sutton on Sea. The National Trust has begun an exciting project to transform the former Sandilands golf course into new habitats for wildlife, especially migrating and breeding birds. The golf course had been in existence since 1894, the National Trust acquired it in 2020 in order to create a new 30ha nature reserve. It will feature open water, islands, reedbeds, ponds, grassland and sand dunes. There will also be a visitor centre and café. This is the first coastal acquisition the National Trust have made in Lincolnshire and definitely one to watch!
more to do in the Sutton on Sea area
Planning on exploring more of the Lincolnshire coast? There is plenty more to see do nearby with Skegness, Spilsby and Alford just a short drive away.
Chapel St Leonards – Coastal Country Park Walks
Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve
Humber to The Wash Cycle Route
Butlin’s Big Weekenders – Skegness
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway
Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
Orchard Farm Equestrian Centre
Station Leisure & Learning Centre, Mablethorpe
The King Charles III England Coast Path
Chapel St Leonards to Skegness Promenade Cycling
Cleethorpes Seafront Birdwatching
Donna Nook National Nature Reserve Birdwatching
Dunes Leisure Mablethorpe Fairground
Huttoft Bank Pit Nature Reserve
Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Birdwatching
Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Birdwatching
Sutton on Sea to Chapel St Leonards Promenade Cycling
The Ship Inn, Chapel St Leonards
Alford to the Coast Cycle Route
Dobson’s Mill & Heritage Centre Burgh le Marsh
Grimsby Revolution Cycle Route
Lincolnshire Wolds’ Challenge Cycle Route
Mumby to Hogsthorpe – Coastal Country Park Walks
Spilsby to Wainfleet All Saints Cycle Route
The Skegness and District Heritage Centre
did you know?
At very low tides it is possible to see the remains of an ancient mixed forest on the beach. It was submerged by rising sea levels about 3000 years ago.
St Clements church was built in 1818 after the previous church was destroyed by the sea. Between 1884 and 1889 a tramway ran between Alford and Sutton. The tramway was popular, return fares were one shilling for adults and sixpence for children. The future looked rosy and there were plans for an extension, however the construction of the Willoughby and Sutton Railway proved to be too much. The new railway connected the town southwards enabling holiday trains from the Midlands and North of England to reach the resort. In 1888 the line was extended to Mablethorpe, and in 1889 40,328 passengers were carried to Sutton on Sea. The Louth and East Coast Railway opened a line in 1877 linking Louth to Mablethorpe. Closed in 1971, the old line has been managed as a nature reserve - good for barn owls, goldfinches, sparrow hawks, herons, marsh harriers, and kestrels.
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did you know?
January 31, 1953, Sutton on Sea’s resilient spirit shone through during one of the most challenging moments in its history.
A powerful combination of a ten-foot storm surge, high tide, and fierce winds breached the town’s flood defences, leading to significant flooding in some areas. In response, a dedicated team of troops and workmen came together, working to restore the defences before the next Spring Tide in February. Thanks to their determination and hard work, Sutton on Sea now enjoys strong, reliable flood defences that continue to protect this charming town, allowing both residents and visitors to enjoy its beautiful seaside attractions safely.
more about the Coast
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