The Wild Beauty of Lincolnshire Beaches: A Coastline Guide
Skegness was a small town, but became a major holiday resort, when railways arrived in 1873. It also became the location of the first Butlins holiday camp in the 30s, followed by Bognor and Minehead.
It’s no wonder it’s still popular today (as long as you bring your own towels and have no housekeeping, you get a bargain holiday for a family, with a nice beach nearby, and a pool if it’s raining).
Today it’s got the sad title of ‘England’s most littered beach’, followed by Margate (Kent) and Formby (Merseyside).
The local RNLI has begged people not to throw litter on the sand dunes. Not only is it bad for the planet, but poses a threat to lifeguards, who keep tourists safe. Some had even been treated from cuts and burns, due to standing on disposable barbecues (banned by most councils).
Things may be going too far in other areas. Recently, an 86-year old man was fined £260 (later reduced to £150) by the police, after spitting out a leaf that blew into his mouth!
If at the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel). Join the campaign to ban flying rings, to help local seals.
Cleethorpes (on the Humber Estuary)
This has one of the widest beaches at low tide in England, and lies directly on the Greenwich Meridian Line. It’s not technically even on the sea, and is one of the driest areas in England, with low rainfall rates.
Mablethorpe (a slow eroding coast)
At very low tide, you can see the remnants of an ancient mixed forest on the beaches here (and nearby Sutton-on-Sea). This is because the North Sea used to be dry land. So as water levels rose, the trees died and fell into jumble of stumps and trunks, which where buried and preserved by peat.
Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve
This is a long strip of saltmarsh near Skegness, with sand dunes and lagoons (havens for native birds). You can also avocets (with upturned beaks, these are the RSPB national symbol bird), grey seals and night owls.
Donna Nook (wildlife and wide horizons)
This area with rough grasses and a wide shoreline is home to many grey seals, which should be left alone in peace.
