Best beaches near Skegness

0.7-mile walk; 13 mins from Haven Skegness

The closest alternative to Skegness’ main beach is situated just a mile to the north. With caravan parks adjacent, it can be a little busy in the height of summer. However, Ingoldmells has three and a half miles of sandy shoreline and dunes with many great places to have a picnic or take a dip. 

The water quality is excellent, and the beach has won a marine conservation society award, so it’s a good place to try out a bodyboard or have a paddle, watched over by eagle-eyed lifeguards. There are nearby beach bars and cafes to wet your whistle too. 

When the kids fancy a change of scenery, there’s an adventure park nearby, a promenade with shops and cafes and plentiful parking.

5 miles by car; 17 mins from Haven Skegness

A little further north around the coast is Wolla Bank, an altogether wilder and more peaceful stretch of coastline. Adjacent to the Wolla Bank Pit Nature Reserve at Chapel St Leonards, it’s a picturesque spot for a walk with the dog, and you might even spot a reed warbler or marsh harrier if you bring your binoculars.

The nature reserve is situated in old clay pits, now host to reedbeds, which provide an excellent habitat for thousands of local and migrating birds. Worth a visit nearby are the North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point, the UK’s only marine facility of its kind. The observatory has a café, an art gallery, and local exhibitions.

5.6 miles by car; 18 mins from Haven Skegness

This one’s not really a beach, but if you want to take a walk surrounded by nature, there are few better spots on this strip of coastline. Gibraltar Point was the first official bird observatory in Britain, established in 1949, and there’s a visitor’s centre to explore its history. 

You’ll have to walk through to the nature reserve to get to the beach, which has a tidal creek, which can prove treacherous at high tide.

2.8 miles by car; 12 mins from Haven Skegness

Less than three miles to the north of the town, you’ll find the village of Winthorpe which boasts miles of unspoilt (and quiet!) sandy beach and a long, wide promenade. The usual sprinkling of ice cream parlours and cafes can be found here, and an offshore wind farm in the distance adds drama to the horizon.

9.5 miles by car; 26 mins from Haven Skegness 

Drive north on the A52 past Moggs Head and you’ll find this little-known gem. It’s actually possible to drive your car or camper right down onto the beach terrace and gaze out over the sea. The long flat beach which becomes Moggs Head to the south is perfect for long walks or runs. 

Kids will enjoy jumping off the sand dunes and a café recently opened, if you need somewhere to retreat to if it rains.

9 miles by car; 23 mins from Haven Skegness

Just north of Anderby Creek and south of Huttoft, Marsh Yard Beach has a few basic facilities, with parking and toilets. Quiet and unspoilt, this stretch of North Sea coastline is visited by porpoises and fishing terns.  

Both Moggs Eye and Huttoft are a short walk along the sand to the south or north, respectively.

13 miles by car; 29 mins from Haven Skegness

Just south of Mablethorpe, further north around the coast, the village of Sutton-on-Sea is well worth a visit. The village is attractive, and its beach is blue flag winning for cleanliness and environmental protection.  Roaring breakers collide with a sloping beach, overlooked by rows of colourful beach huts. 

Both the Wildlife Trust and RSPB run educational events for kids, and there’s a paddling pool and playground if the sea is too wild. Golfers will enjoy the links course at Sandilands to the south.