Overlooking a golden stretch of sand, Mablethorpe is a popular holiday resort town in Lincolnshire. It occupies an area of low-lying fens that have a rich cultural history, as well as providing a habitat for both terrestrial and marine wildlife.
While many of the town’s coastal attractions centre around family fun, Mablethorpe is also just a stone’s throw from a beautifully restored windmill and the largest thatched-roofed manor house in England.
In this guide, discover some of the top things to see and do in Mablethorpe, whether you’re visiting for a day or an extended vacation. If it’s the latter, you can find plenty of places to stay at Rentola UK, a user-friendly platform that lists couple-friendly apartments and spacious beachfront residences for rent in Mablethorpe.
Imagine waking up to the soothing sound of waves, with pristine beaches just steps away from your accommodation. With your accommodation sorted, you can focus on exploring all that Mablethorpe has to offer, from its beautiful beachfront promenade to exciting water sports, charming shops, and delicious seafood dining options.
Due to Mablethorpe’s compact size and beachfront promenade, you’re never more than a short walk, cycle or drive from all of the town’s attractions, no matter where you choose to stay.
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Relax on the sands of Mablethorpe Beach
Designated as a Blue Flag beach, Mablethorpe’s golden stretch of sand is the heart of all the action in the summer months. It’s backed by a string of colourful beach huts and takeaway shops serving fish and chips, as well as a raised promenade where you can stroll throughout the day. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love a ride on the Mablethorpe Sand Train, which has been chugging its way along North Beach since the 1950s. In September, Mablethorpe Beach plays host to the Bathing Beauties Arts & Crafts Festival, which showcases local artisans and live music.
Enjoy the rides and attractions of the Mablethorpe Fairground
On the beachfront promenade is this family-friendly fairground, which is packed with rides and amusements that both kids and adults will love. You can get behind the wheel of the dodgem cars, brave the House of Terror or test your skills at one of the arcade games. Young children can ride the Miner Mike Runaway Train or fly high on the Bungee Trampoline, which are among the gentler attractions. Admission to the Mablethorpe Fairground is free, with all of its rides on a pay-as-you-go basis. When it comes to food and drink, you can expect all of your fairground favourites, such as donuts, waffles and toffee apples.
Visit the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
In the north of Mablethorpe is this wildlife rehabilitation facility, which works tirelessly to rescue sick and injured seals and seabirds. It’s located just a stone’s throw from Donna Nook, a low-lying salt marsh that’s renowned for its breeding colony of seals. You can learn about the lifecycle and behaviours of seals while observing those that can’t be released back into the wild, each of which has a personal story to tell. In addition to native species, the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre is home to several exotic animals, including meerkats and gibbons. Fossils of dinosaurs and extinct megafauna are exhibited in the “Time Walking” display.
Explore the Saltfleetby–Theddlethorpe Dunes nature reserve
Extending to the north of the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre is this Lincolnshire nature reserve, which encompasses salt marshes, mudflats and dunes along the North Sea coast. It provides a habitat for a variety of migratory bird species, as well as being a wintering ground for wildfowls. Marked walking trails wind their way through the reserve, with several being wheelchair-friendly. While exploring the Saltfleetby–Theddlethorpe Dunes nature reserve, you can learn about the formation of the dunes back in the 13th century and following the diversion of the Great Eau River several centuries later.
Feed the residents of the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary
In the nearby village of Huttoft is the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary, a non-profit organisation that provides a home for mistreated donkeys. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get up close to these endearing equines while helping to ensure their long-term welfare. You can purchase a bucket of carrots to feed the donkeys or adopt an animal to support its ongoing upkeep. The onsite cafe serves hot drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Discover the architectural history of the Alford Manor House
Combine your visit to the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary with a stop at the Alford Manor House, a Grade II-listed building with one of the United Kingdom’s most impressive thatched roofs. Completed in the early 17th century, it features a traditional H plan and is unique in having a wooden-framed interior clad in reed and plaster with an encasing of bricks. The Alford Manor House regularly hosts exhibitions on historical themes, which allows you to admire its design innovations from Georgian to Victorian times. Don’t miss a visit to the Museum of Rural Life that occupies the barn and details life in Lincolnshire in times gone by.
