Things to do in Mablethorpe

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.