destinations
Mablethorpe
two miles of golden sands, traditional seaside with activities for all ages
Mablethorpe is a seaside town, which gained its market town charter in 1253, it's one of Lincolnshire's popular coastal towns with a magnificent Blue Flag Award Winning beach consisting of two miles of soft golden sand. This friendly town has something for all ages, it's no wonder that Mablethorpe is such a popular holiday destination for a family getaway on Lincolnshire’s beautiful coast. If you're planning a family getaway, you'll be spoilt for choice with places to eat, drink and relax.
Coastal erosion meant that some of the town was lost to the sea in the 1540’s. In 1953 Mablethorpe was hit by the disastrous East Coast floods. The sea wall was breached and 42 people of the town lost their lives. Family attractions include a small fairground and traditional arcades. The award-winning beach includes a sand train which runs trips along the beach.
Looking for something more active? Mablethorpe attracts thrill seekers in their hundreds every year as it plays host to numerous adrenaline pumping activities including kite buggying, jet skiing and amusement park rides. For an extra special treat enjoy entertainment from talented magicians or watch a show from one of the performing musicians... all of this live entertainment is on offer at the beachside bars and restaurants that are just a stone's throw away from the stunning sandy shores.
SPECIAL TO Mablethorpe
Fairground
Sand Train
Nearby small resort of Sutton on Sea
Water Safety Information
A day at the beach should be fun, but the sea can be unpredictable. Follow these simple tips to help keep yourself and your family safe:
Check the conditions and swim at a lifeguarded beach
Mablethorpe Beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards between the end of May and beginning of September, between the hours of 10am and 6pm every day. They are on hand to answer any questions or provide assistance with first aid, missing people as well as keeping an eye on swimmers.
Know how to call for help
Carry a mobile phone if you can, ideally in a waterproof pouch if you're entering the water. In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Remember: Float to Live
If you get into trouble in the water, fight your instinct to swim hard. Instead, float on your back, tilt your head back, relax, control your breathing and use your hands to stay afloat. Once calm, call for help or swim to safety.
Understand the hazards
Before visiting the beach, check the tide times, weather conditions and be aware of risks such as rip currents, changing tides, strong waves and cold water shock. Mablethorpe is a wide beach with a large tidal range that causes strong currents along the coastline. On warm days, especially at low tide, there can be an increased risk of weever fish stings.
There is also a large rocky structure called the Outfall on central beach. This is not only slippery and dangerous to climb on, but also creates dangerous rip currents in the water around it. For this reason, it is important to listed to lifeguard advice and always swim between the flags.
Look out for the beach flags
- Red and yellow flags – Safe area for swimming and bodyboarding, supervised by lifeguards.
- Red flag – Danger. Do not enter the water.
- Orange windsock - Do not use inflatables as the wind is blowing out to sea
For more information and keeping safe while you visit Skegness, you can visit the RNLI’s beach safety website.
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Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary & Wildlife Centre
Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre is home to a diverse collection of animal residents. Get up close and personal with seals, meerkats and more.
top things to do in Mablethorpe
did you know?
Alfred Lord Tennyson was born at Somersby in the Lincolnshire Wolds in 1809.
In the summer he and his family would travel to the coast, staying in cottages in the simple village of Mablethorpe. The Tennyson family were considered quite eccentric and holidaying on the coast was not the fashionable thing to do that it would later become.
The King Charles III England Coast Path
When it is completed the King Charles III England Coast Path will be the longest walking route in the world, the 2,700 mile coast path will encircle the entire English coastline. When completed the total length in Lincolnshire will be 124 miles. The stretch between Skegness and Mablethorpe (16 miles) is complete, sitting mostly on the sea defences, with the occasional section on the beach. The rest of the Lincolnshire sections are due to be completed by early 2025. To the north Mablethorpe will connect via Cleethorpes to the Humber Bridge.
more to do in the Mablethorpe 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.
did you know?
Mablethorpe is mentioned in literature, in particular D. H. Lawrence’s novel of 1913, Sons and Lovers, as the destination for the fictional Morel family's first holiday:
"At last they got an answer from Mablethorpe, a cottage such as they wished for thirty shillings a week. There was immense jubilation. Paul was wild with joy for his mother's sake. She would have a real holiday now. He and she sat at evening picturing what it would be like. Annie came in, and Leonard, and Alice, and Kitty. There was wild rejoicing and anticipation.”
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