Local guide

Things to Do Near Chapel St Leonards & Skegness

A local's guide to days out on the Lincolnshire coast — by the Forsters

One of the best things about staying at Meadow Lakes 76 is how much there is to do without a long drive. From the quiet sands right on your doorstep to the bright lights of Skegness, this stretch of the Lincolnshire coast packs a lot into a small area. Here's how we'd spend a week.

Right on the doorstep: Chapel St Leonards

Chapel St Leonards is the calmer, more traditional neighbour to Skegness — a proper village with a sandy Blue Flag-standard beach, a village green and a handful of shops, cafés and takeaways. The beach here is wide and gently shelving, which makes it great for younger children and for long, low-tide walks. Head north along the sand and you'll reach Chapel Point, with its distinctive round observation tower and rock pools to explore when the tide is out. It's the sort of place where a bucket, a net and an ice cream can fill an entire afternoon.

Family thrills: Ingoldmells & Fantasy Island

A short hop down the coast, Ingoldmells is home to Fantasy Island, a free-entry theme park where you pay per ride or buy a wristband. It's built around a giant pyramid and has everything from big coasters to gentle rides for little ones, plus one of the largest seven-day markets in Europe right next door — ideal for a rainy-morning wander and a bargain or two.

Nearby you'll also find Hardys Animal Farm, a working farm attraction where children can meet the animals and burn off energy in the play areas, and Jump Warriors trampoline park for when the weather turns. Booking tickets in advance often works out cheaper — we round up the current offers on our Deals page.

Classic seaside: Skegness

About fifteen minutes away, Skegness is the full traditional seaside experience: a long sandy beach, the Skegness Pier with its arcades and bowling, donkey rides, and fish and chips eaten straight from the paper. Families should make time for Natureland Seal Sanctuary at the north end of the beach — as well as its famous rescued seals, it has penguins, aquariums and a tropical butterfly house, and it's a reliable win with children of any age.

Wildlife & wide skies

If you prefer your days out on the quieter side, the Lincolnshire coast has some wonderful open spaces. Just south of Skegness, Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve is a sweep of dunes, salt marsh and lagoons that's a haven for birds and a lovely spot for a windswept walk. Bring binoculars in spring and autumn when the migrations are in full swing. Closer to home, the beaches north of Chapel St Leonards stay peaceful even in high season — perfect for watching the sunrise over the sea with a flask of coffee.

Rainy-day rescue

Lincolnshire weather can be changeable, so it pays to have a plan B. On site at Golden Palm Resort you've got the indoor heated fun pool with water slides, the amusement arcade and soft play, plus live shows and family entertainment at Club Tropicana in the evenings. Beyond the park, the Fantasy Island market, Jump Warriors, Natureland and the Skegness arcades all keep everyone happy when the clouds roll in.

Where to eat

You're never far from a good meal. On the resort, JW's Bar & Grill does classic family food, and there are takeaways and a shop across the road. In the villages and in Skegness you'll find everything from proper chip shops to carveries and pub grill nights — a few of our favourites and their current offers are on the Deals page.

Practical tips for your stay

• Getting around: a car is handy for reaching Skegness, Gibraltar Point and the farm attractions, though the beach and the resort are on foot from the caravan.
• Beat the queues: for Fantasy Island and the farm parks, mornings are quieter and pre-booking online is usually cheaper.
• Tides: check the tide times before a beach day — low tide reveals huge stretches of sand and the best rock pools at Chapel Point.
• Best time to visit: July and August are liveliest; late spring and September bring quieter beaches, cheaper stays and still-warm days.

Some links on our Deals page are affiliate links; we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Attraction details can change, so please check opening times and prices with each venue before you travel.

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