Last updated on July 31, 2022 by Wandering our World
Skegness Beach, known as Skeggy by many, is one of the most popular Northern English beaches thanks mainly to its pristine sandy shores and lively seafront.
Located in Lincolnshire, there is something for everyone here – whether you want to admire the Great British coast and wildlife along miles of sand, or simply have a fun day out with the family on the pier.
If you’re planning your own trip to Skegness Beach, here is everything you need to know for a brilliant day out or holiday itinerary.
CONTENTS:
- Getting There
- Parking
- Facilities
- Wildlife To Watch Out For
- Accommodation
- Fun Things To Do
- Places To Eat
- When & Where to Visit
- Rules & Regulations
- Other Things To Know
Getting To Skegness Beach
Train
Direct trains to Skegness run across the UK from Boston, Nottingham, Leicester, Sheffield, and Derby. Once you get off the train in Skegness, the beach is about a 15-minute walk away from the interchange, where you can also get local buses around Skegness.
Coach
From London, Mapleforth, Peterborough, and Ingoldmells, you can get a National Express coach to Skegness which runs once a day. You can either get off at Skegness Bus Station or Butlins Holiday Park.
Coach travel is cheaper than train, but it takes significantly longer to get there, so wear comfortable clothes!
Car
It is relatively easy to travel to Lincolnshire, but in the summer, it might be a bit busier because of like-minded holidaymakers and travellers, so set off early. You can access a route planner here.
Parking At Skegness Beach
All around Skegness Beach, there are pay-and-display car parks, but they can get quite busy in the summer, so arrive early – before 10 am.
For two hours of parking, it is free although you still need a ticket. three hours is £1.00, and all-day tickets cost £7.00.
Arcadia Car Park is closest to the aquarium and beach entrance, and the North End Car Park is closest to the Natureland Seal Sanctuary. There is also Lawn Car Park, and lots of places to park in the town centre.
Facilities At Skegness Beach
Public toilets are scattered around the outskirts of the beach, the best-reviewed being the North Parade Public Toilets at the North End of the beach. Just remember your 20p coins to access them.
The beach is also accessible to those with disabilities as it is equipped with wheelchair ramps, and dogs are welcome too.
Wildlife At Skegness Beach
Britain’s coastlines are host to abundant flora and fauna. Keep your eyes open for some of the most common shore animals around Skegness Beach and the surrounding areas: the grey seal and common seal.
Along the wet sand, you might also spot jellyfish, and in rock pools, you can find the shore crab and starfish. When searching for these animals with nets or buckets while rock pooling, make sure you put them back (never pick up starfish as you could kill them) – and watch out for nips and stings!
In the sky you will almost certainly find the seagull. And dipping up and down around the sand, you can find the adorable sandpiper.
Growing in the salt marshes and pools of seawater around the coast, there’s beautiful sea lavender. Swaying in the wind are beach grasses, and of course, there’s loads of washed-up seaweed to find on Skegness Beach.
Accommodation Near Skegness Beach
There are lots of excellent value places to stay around the coast of Skegness, from hotels to camping.
1. Haven Skegness Holiday Park
Within walking distance of both the beach and the town centre, this holiday park is ideal for families as it is overflowing with activities and facilities such as a sports court, indoor pool, places to get food, and a launderette.
Nearby are all the things to do on and around Skegness Beach, along with an animal farm and nature reserve. The only thing to remember is that you must book quite far in advance as it’s so popular – around a year or so.
2. Premier Inn Skegness Seafront Hotel
For last-minute breaks, this Premier Inn is ideal. It’s next to the beach, pier and within walking distance of the train station.
Free parking is available – you just have to register your car at reception, and there is free wi-fi here too. Room types range from family and double to twin and accessible and they come with everything you will need.
Unlimited breakfast is served from £9.50, and kids eat free when an adult pays for a full breakfast. Dinner and meal deals are available too.
3. Southview Park Hotel
A little further from the beach is the Southview Park Hotel which includes breakfast in your booking, free parking, free wi-fi, a restaurant, and seasonal attractions like a pool, golf course, fishing lake, show bar, and an arcade.
The beach is a 5-minute drive away, or you could walk the 1.7 miles in around 30 minutes. It’s great for both families and couples or groups.
11 Fun Things To Do At Skegness Beach
Arguably the best thing about Skegness Beach is its equal mix of modern and traditional seaside activities and sites.
1. The Promenade
Before you do anything at Skegness, you must take a stroll along the promenade which allows you to view the beach itself.
There’s nothing better than the lovely view of sea and sand together, along with the fresh air that goes with it.
2. Enjoy The Sea
Activities such as kayaking/canoeing, sailing, swimming, and surfing take place and are allowed at Skegness Beach.
3. Skegness Pier
The iconic Skegness Pier is immense and jam-packed with family activities, such as bowling, Laser Quest, Gellyball, climbing walls, a classic arcade, and for very young children, an indoor soft play area. There are family packages available for these activities starting at £18.
Day-long activity wristbands, which give access to most, or all areas (depending on the wristband type), start from £7.00 for juniors and £20.00 for adults.
Live entertainment is also on all year round, so check the Skegness Pier Facebook page for up-to-date information.
You can also take a stroll on the famous Victorian boardwalk which leads right up to the edge of the sea and offers amazing views.
4. Fantasy Island
With over 30 rides – from The Millennium roller coaster to the Wild River Rapids water ride – this colourful site on Skegness Beach is great for families or groups of friends that look for thrill-seeking days out by the sea.
There are also events that take place throughout the year. As well as the bustling Ingoldmells Market, which is Europe’s largest seven-day market – selling food, fashion, electricals, furniture, toys and more!
Wristbands start from £20.00 and include free digital ride photos. Groups of 20+ can get significant discounts if you enquire. Check the website to see the types of rides available and the minimum required heights.
5. Skegness Pleasure Beach
This is another site of thrilling rides and fun for all the family: Skegness Pleasure Beach is nestled right next to the sand at Skegness Beach and features rides like the Freak Out, the traditional Waltzer, and the Giant Wheel, as well as arcades on each end of the park.
All-day wristbands start from £20, and you can get evening wristbands for £15. Check for height-restricted rides here as height-restricted wristbands are available from £10 if it applies to your family members. Group bookings are also available.
6. Natureland Seal Sanctuary
Something a little more tranquil than a theme park is the Natureland Seal Sanctuary, which features an aquarium, Floral Palace, Tropical House, Pets Corner, penguins, alpacas, meerkats, and of course, seals!
Tickets can be bought upon entry and cost £9.75 for adults, £8.00 for children, £8.50 for senior citizens, and £32.00 for a family. Children 2 and under are free. Groups of 20 or more can get discounts but you must book in advance.
There are activities for children and a café also available here. But time your trip well – if you arrive at 11 am or 3 pm you can watch the seals’, penguins’, and baby seals’ feeding time.
7. Gibraltar Point National Park
Far south from the main part of Skegness Beach and its attractions is the serene Gibraltar Point National Park – a nature reserve of unspoilt coastline ideal for walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Explore the Lagoon and admire the New Saltmarsh on a walk, or you could even birdwatch at the observatory and watch for all the wildlife Skegness has to offer – such as little terns or skylarks. Accessible routes are available.
If you want to spend the day here, you can park at the North Car Park or Visitor Centre Car Park for £5 a day (cash only). The visitor centre also has a gift shop and a café which is perfect for refuelling after a walk. Dogs are welcome here too, but make sure they are on a lead.
8. Tower Gardens
If you don’t want to trek all the way to Gibraltar for a peaceful place to walk, and you have already viewed the wonderful sights of the Skegness coast along the promenade, you can check out the Skegness Tower Gardens.
This place not only has abundant greenery, flowing waters, and a bandstand, but there’s also a playground for children.
9. Atlantis Adventure Golf
Atlantis Adventure Golf is a crazy golf site that guarantees a fun time for families and groups of friends.
Attached to Skegness Aquarium, Atlantis Adventure Golf tickets start from £4.50 for children, £5.50 for adults, and £17.00 for a family. It’s the perfect wind-down activity after a day of fair rides and exploration.
10. Fairy Dell Paddling Pool
Younger family members can get a taste of swimming on the coast safely without having to go near the sea at Fairy Dell Paddling Pool, which is near Skegness Beach.
At the centre of the site is a blue and yellow fountain, from which several pools sprawl out in a river-like fashion.
The ground looks like sand, so the place feels like a little beach, and benches are scattered around so you can supervise your little ones comfortably and easily. This is a public space, so it’s free. Just note that dogs are not allowed here.
11. Skegness Aquarium
Much closer to the hustle and bustle of Skegness Beach is the Skegness Aquarium, which exhibits the best of marine wildlife with an underlying theme of pirates and adventures at sea. That makes it an amazing source of education and entertainment for younger members of the family.
Arguably the most breathtaking room in the aquarium is the Aqua Theatre with its enormous pane of glass exhibiting creatures like sharks and stingrays. The Sea Caves are also stunning with their jellies, eels, and a tunnel which leads to a corridor of sharks and rays swimming over your head.
Online ticket purchases are slightly cheaper, so book for same-day admission on the website. Adults cost £13.95, children cost £11.50, and concessions (seniors, disabled adults and carers) cost £11.50. Families can get a ticket for £38.00 and children 2 or under are free.
10 Places To Eat At Skegness Beach
A trip to the British seaside is not complete without fish and chips and ice cream, and Skegness Beach has many places for you to grab some of this traditional food, as well as other tasty choices.
1. The Steamboat Cookhouse and Pub
With breakfast, mains, meatless meals, kids’ meals, a bar, Sunday roasts, and drinks, The Steamboat Cookhouse and Pub has abundant choices which are great for large families and groups.
And if you sign up online you can get 25% off food. Check out their offers page to save money too.
2. Wellies Bar
Enjoy a drink at this lively bar on Grand Parade. If you are visiting Skegness Beach with friends, you can spend a sociable evening here.
Events also take place throughout the year, like the Reggae Fest in July. Free wi-fi is available, as well as outdoor seating and a television. You can get lunch here too.
3. San Rufo’s Italian Restaurant
Not a British pub or restaurant, rather San Rufo’s Italian Restaurant serves traditional Italian food.
From risotto and bruschetta to steak and pizza, this is ideal for families and groups looking for a teatime treat for everyone.
The prices are not bad too, with a margherita pizza costing under a tenner. Takeaway is available too if you fancy eating back at your accommodation.
Just note that this restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from the North End of Skegness Beach.
4. Tower Café
Tower Café is further within the town centre and provides a quick pitstop. You might want to pause here on the way to the beach from the interchange and grab a quick coffee or an English breakfast.
It’s cheap too, with a price range of £2-£10.
5. Hussey’s Fish and Chips
Close to Skegness Clock Tower, Hussey’s Fish and Chips serves fresh seafood and chips, with the standard mushy peas, gravy, and other sauces.
6. Tony’s Chippy
Also near Skegness Clock Tower is Tony’s Chippy which offers fresh cod and chips as well as all the traditional sides and sauces.
7. I Love Ices
Top off your trip with something sweet at I Love Ices where you can get a standard ice cream, or something more exotic like a sundae, waffle, soft serve cup, or slushy. Cold drinks are also served here.
8. Bizzy Lizzies
Get an ice cream from just £1.60 or 4 doughnuts for £1 from one of the top-rated dessert stalls on and around Skegness Beach.
You can also buy some waffles and ice cream with your choice of sauce and flavours, as well as slushies and candy floss. It’s budget-friendly and delicious.
9. Bon Appetite
Close to Tower Gardens is the family-run Bon Appetite which sells stunning homemade desserts like cakes as well as pastries, coffee, sausage rolls, and bread.
There is also a gluten-free selection, and the food is very affordable – as little as £1.
10. Speedys Ice Cream
This is another great spot to get yourself an ice cream or a slushy, as well as drinks (hot and cold), waffles, pancakes, sundaes, sweets – including rock – and doughnuts. Prices are low and it’s close to the beach.
Skegness Beach: When and Where to Visit
During the holiday season it can get terribly busy, so if you want a quiet day out try visiting in the spring or late summer. You could also visit during less busy days of the week, like Mondays, as weekends can be heaving in the summer and even in the spring.
If you’re on holiday in Skegness it might be worth waking up before sunrise to take a quiet walk along the pier as the sun comes up. Or visit in the evening for equally amazing coastal views at sunset.
You could even walk along the beach depending on the tide – low tide times are around 1:56 and 14:31 BST and high tides are around 7:37 and 20:08 BST during July. You can get estimated tide times for any time of the year here.
The North Shore of the beach is usually the quietest part of Skegness Beach if you’re looking for a peaceful walk during the day.
Visiting Skegness Beach at Christmas time can be just as good as any other time of the year, as while you won’t want to sunbathe or take a dip in the sea, there are lots of events that take place. That includes Skegness Pier’s Christmas party packages, starting from £9.99, which include activities such as bowling or Laser Quest, and food.
The Christmas Market on Lumley Road (beyond the Clock Tower and within walking distance of the beach) also takes place every year with food, crafts, and gifts – and entry is free.
Skegness Beach: Rules & Regulations
Dogs must be on a lead on the beach from the 1st of May to the 30th of September every year, as well as in surrounding areas.
Lifeguards are usually on patrol so adhere to usual safety regulations and advice – for example, red flags mean the water is dangerous, so don’t enter.
If you want to swim or bodyboard, stay between red and yellow flags. If an orange windsock is flying, don’t use inflatables even in the lifeguarded area – it’s too windy.
More beach safety advice for UK beaches can be found here.
Other Things To Know
Skegness Beach has two awards, including The Blue Flag award – ensuring a clean beach – and the Marine Conservation Society award – ensuring sustainability and care for wildlife.
The water quality is also rated 5 stars. So, there really is no reason not to visit Skegness Beach – an iconic spot on the English coastline.