Mablethorpe

Two miles of golden sand stretch between the sea and a town that hasn't forgotten what proper seaside holidays look like. Mablethorpe still does the classics - candy floss, crazy golf, and amusement arcades - without trying too hard to be trendy.

The beach is the star here, proper wide and sandy when the tide's out. Captain Jack's Crazy Golf keeps families entertained between beach sessions, while Jacksons Amusements provides that authentic arcade experience complete with penny slots and grabber machines. The Lincolnshire Aquapark adds a modern twist with floating obstacle courses on the water.

Beyond the seafront fun, there's a quieter side worth exploring. Ye Olde Curiosity Museum packs an impressive collection into its small space, and St Mary's Church offers a peaceful break from the seaside bustle. Parklands provides green space for a walk when you've had enough sand between your toes.

Lincolnshire's coast runs straight and true here, with Sutton-on-Sea just down the road if you fancy a change of scene. The countryside inland is flat farming country, all big skies and endless fields - quite the contrast to the beach energy.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A52 runs right into town, and it's about 45 minutes from Lincoln. Several holiday parks dot the area, making it dead easy to park up and explore both Mablethorpe and the wider Lincolnshire coast without daily packing and unpacking. Haven Golden Sands sits practically on the beach, while sites like Seacroft Holiday Estate give you quick access to both the sea and inland attractions.