Find and book the perfect holiday cottage or b&b by the sea in Skegness
Visit Skegness: the home of fantastic fish and chips!
Whether you're coming for a staycation from the UK, or travelling from further afield, escaping the hustle and bustle to visit the seaside is the best relaxing break. Skegness has an incredible pier with amusement arcade games, a royal clock tower inaugurated by the Duke of Edinburgh, a beautiful beach with endless opportunities for sandcastle building, and the ultimate Pleasure Beach for the thrill seekers. There are events constantly happening all over Skegness, all year round, which means there's never a bad time to visit.
How to get to Skegness
Skegness is right on the west coast of England, with beautiful sandy beaches and long views over the North Sea, and its accessible via cars, trains, or flying. Easily accessible via many of the main roads across the country, if you're coming up from the south the easiest way is to head to London via the M11, M25, or the M5, and from London follow the A1 or M1 straight to Skegness. From the west coast, find the M62 or the A158 and follow it all the way to the coast, a scenic drive that should take less than 3 hours. If you're coming from further afield, such as Ireland, then one of the easiest ways is to hop on a ferry from Dublin, and then drive along the same scenic route through Manchester and across the country until you find the east coast. There is also a number of routes to take if you would prefer to hop on a train, which takes the hassle it of the travel and leaves you free to enjoy the English countryside. The East Midlands train route takes passengers to the coast of Skegness, which can be joined at a number of main cities across England. From Liverpool, for example, hop on the train to Nottingham, and then change there for a trip to Skegness. Similarly from Leeds, or from Manchester, you can take the same route. A lot of trips from the south will take you to Grantham, where you can change and hop on the train to Skegness. Alternatively, for those coming from further afield to visit the quaint little English town, the best options are to fly into one of the fantastic airports on offer in the UK: Humberside, Birmingham, Manchester, Norwich, Newcastle, or London Luton, all of which have either a direct train or bus straight to Skegness.
Where to book a holiday cottage in Skegness
Centre of town
Staying in the centre of town is the best way to see the entirety of Skegness, as well as have an incredible stay at one of the many short-term apartment rentals. The centre is where visitors can walk to the Diamond Jubilee Clock Tower, or the Tower Gardens, and visit a number of boutique stores and old-fashioned ice cream and sweet shops. Why not stay at The Eastleigh, which offers accommodation in an elegant Victorian terraced townhouse that was first built during the 19th century, and just a short walk from the train station.
Along the beachfront
If you want sweeping sea views, a long golden sand beach at your doorstep, amusement rides at the pier, and some of the best fish and chips you can get in England, then staying along Skegness' beachfront is the place for you. Why not try staying at the Beach Court Holiday Apartments, which offer incredible bed and breakfast accommodation right next to the sea?
Things to do in Skegness
Skegness Beach
This sweeping golden beach has been awarded both the Blue Flag winner and the "Quality Coast Award", and it's not difficult to see why when you get there. perfect for building sandcastles, dotted along the horizon the eagle-eyed visitor will see the 75 turbines of the Lincolnshire Wind Farm, and during the low tide there is a lagoon perfect for searching for wildlife.
Natureland Seal Sanctuary
The Natureland Seal Sanctuary in Skegness has been in operation since 1965, and its main aim is to help with the rescue and rehabilitation of injured seals and lost pups that are found along Lincolnshire's beaches. The Sanctuary is a great place to see this rehabilitation in practise, as they're looked after until they're ready to be released back into the North Sea. Have a look at the seals frolicking in the Sanctuary Bay Pool and watch the feeding times, or take a wander through the centre and learn about the other animals on site: penguins, meerkats, alpacas, and various farmyard animals.
Skegness Pier
Almost every English seaside resort has a pier, and Skegness is no different. First built in 1881, the Skegness pier was unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh and was once the receiver of up to 100,000 visitors a year. During the late 20th century, the pier was dramatically shortened by a terrible storm, but that hasn't taken away from the magic of it. Today, you can walk to the end and see the entirety of Skegness beach behind you, and enjoy a fun afternoon at the kid's soft play area and trampoline park.
Diamond Jubilee Clock Tower
One of the most eye-dropping sights in Skegness is the neo-gothic clock tower that was built to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, back in 1899. The beautiful tower is made with blind arches flanked by pinnacles, all below a four-faced cock complete with a weather vane, and it can be found right in the centre of town by Grand Parade and Lumley Road. Since it was first built, the ground below it has subsided a little, creating Skegness' very own Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The Village Church Farm
Right around the corner from Skegness railway station, the Village Church Farm is an open-air farm museum – the only one of its kind in Lincolnshire. The museum is on the site of a former farm, where visitors will also find a preserved 18th century farmhouse, as well as some examples of old buildings that were once dotted around the town, including a "mud and stud" thatched cottage. The museum is home to examples of agriculture and rural domestic life from during the 1800s, with machinery, manual tool, and home interiors on display.
Tower Gardens
Found near the Diamond Jubilee Clock Tower, the Tower Gardens are grade II listed gardens first created in the 1870s on land that was once owned by Lord Scarborough. During the 1920s, the Tower Gardens were reworked and redesigned slightly, installing pavilions, ridges, mock castles and even a bowling green, turning the area into a quintessential seaside garden. During the summer, the gardens are host to a range of free entertainment perfect for families, such as Punch and Judy puppet shows.
Pleasure Beach
Just like a lot of English seaside resorts, Skegness is home to a Pleasure Beach; essentially a number of fairground attractions that make a great day out whether you're aged 5 or 55. You will be able to find all your favourite rides, such as carousels, dodgems, adventure golf course, safari train, a rocking pirate boat, and even a ten-pin bowling alley.
Best Time to Visit Skegness
Skegness is located right on the edge of the North Sea, which means there is typically a chilly wind throughout most of the year. That means that it suffers from fairly cold winters, and cool and comfortable summers. The ideal time to visit in terms of warm weather - as in, if you want to sunbathe on the beach and build sand castles while eating an ice cream – then you should visit between June and August, although be warned these are the busiest times for tourists, so it can be a little crowded.