Things to do in Mablethorpe
One of the loveliest stretches of unspoilt beach in east Lincolnshire can be found at Mablethorpe, just a mile or so south of Haven Golden Sands Holiday Park. Mablethorpe is a quiet seaside town, much less well-known than nearby Grimsby or Cleethorpes, which is very much to its advantage!
As well as the beach, which we’ll talk about, there are several sights and sounds to enjoy in the town and its surroundings. Below we present our pick of the best things to do in Mablethorpe.
1. A breath of fresh air on the beach
The beach at Mablethorpe has won a Blue Flag Award for sustainable development and environmental protection and still retains an unspoilt charm. It won third place in the Times list of best beaches 2022. The approach may look unpromising, but once you’re there you’ll find a promenade, a café, toilets, and a lifeguard station in the summer months, so it’s safe to swim too.
Whether picnicking, frolicking in the sea, walking your dog, or running along the sand, the beach is the real focal point of Mablethorpe. Devote a day to your visit – there’s a surprising amount to see and do and you can walk for miles.
2. Mablethorpe Sand Train
For those who don’t fancy a long walk (or are unable to), here’s a unique way to tour the beach. Catch the Sand Train from just outside the Seal Sanctuary to the north and take a trip over the sand all the way to the main town access point (or vice versa). There are four other stops in between too.
Running since 1952, the recently refurbished train has always been a popular family attraction, and runs between May and October, from 10:30am until 5pm.
3. Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
This attraction is one of the closest to Haven’s Golden Sands resort, located just over Quebec Road adjacent to the holiday park. Although set up to rescue injured or orphaned seal pups before releasing them to the wild, the Wildlife Centre offers a host of other fascinating creatures to visit too, including meerkats, ring-tailed lemurs, and the funny-looking axolotl salamander.
Watch the seals swimming in their pool or treat your kids to the amazing zookeeper for a day experience, in which they can help the keepers feed and care for a range of animals while learning all about them. There’s also a “time walking” exhibition which takes you through over 100,000 of fossil history of the area’s flora and fauna.
This is undeniably one of the highlights of any visit to Mablethorpe and is not to be missed.
4. Mablethorpe Miniature Railway
If your ride on the beach train has whetted your appetite for tiny trains, Mablethorpe has a 7.25-inch gauge miniature track with engines styled as James from Thomas the Tank Engine chuffing around a 200-yard circle track. You’ll find this attraction just north of Queen’s Park, at the southern extent of the promenade.
Kids will love riding by themselves on this petrol-powered train, which has been running since 1968. Rides are reasonably priced and consist of two circuits.
5. Queens Park
If you want to feed the ducks or walk the dog, Queens Park is one of the best spots in Mablethorpe to do both. Adjacent to the A52/Victoria Road is this attractive park featuring ornamental lakes you can explore by hiring a swan-shaped pedalo.
You’ll spot many waterfowl here including real swans, ducks and geese and there’s also a paddling pool nearby for the little ones to enjoy on those long, hot summer days.
6. Lincolnshire AquaPark
A ten-minute drive and three miles west of Mablethorpe, the adventurous and aquatic can enjoy a range of watery challenges. You can rent a paddleboard, pedalo or kayak, but the real pull here is the water assault course, which features a range of challenging obstacles which are sure to hurl you into the lake at least once (don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe, and you can rent grip shoes and wetsuits).
This is the biggest aquapark in the UK, so expect it to be busy at the height of summer and make sure your book your tickets well in advance.
7. Mablethorpe Funfair
As traditional as fish and chips or beach blankets is the seaside funfair, and Mablethorpe boasts a pretty good one. You’ll find it at the end of the high street by the beach – just listen for the screams coming from the spinning Limit ride!
There are classic dodgems, inflatable slides, waltzers, and a caterpillar-styled rollercoaster for the little ones. The Kids Krazy Castle is a highlight, full of funhouse mirrors and surprises. Of course, there’s a ghost train too, with plenty of jumps and scares.
There are several places to eat and drink in the funfair too, so you can enjoy a traditional candyfloss or ice cream, or some locally caught fish and chips.
8. Loewen Cinema
While most of the attractions in Mablethorpe are outdoors orientated, Mablethorpe has its own cinema too, ideal for those rainy days. The Loewen Cinema shows blockbuster and family films, plus live broadcasts of National Theatre shows.
Loewen is a small, two screen cinema with snacks available, and cut-price tickets are available for matinee performances. Book in advance to be sure of a seat.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £32,795
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 22 April 2024, price is available at Skegness only.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.