St Martin

A short drive inland from Skegness sits St Martin, a proper medieval church that most beach-bound visitors completely miss. This is the kind of place that rewards you for taking a wrong turn - genuinely quiet, genuinely old, and genuinely worth twenty minutes of your time if you're staying at Three Horseshoes or Oxcombe campsite nearby.

The church itself dates back centuries, with that solid Lincolnshire stone look that you see dotted across the fens. Inside, it's all vaulted ceilings, worn flagstones, and the sort of peace you don't get anywhere near the seafront. No crowds, no gift shop nonsense, just the building doing what it's been doing for generations. The windows let in proper light, and on a decent day it's genuinely moving.

This works best for anyone who fancies a bit of history without the touring-coach circus. Families with restless kids might find it a five-minute stop rather than an afternoon, but if you've got someone keen on medieval architecture or just need quiet away from the caravan site, it delivers. Free to enter, as far as I can tell, though do check opening times before you head over.

If you're basing yourself at The Nurseries or Cottage-waters, St Martin makes a sensible morning diversion before heading back to Parkdean or the coast. It's one of those 'proper little find' moments that makes a holiday feel less like checking boxes and more like actually exploring.