Things to do in Cleethorpes
On the Humber Estuary, adjacent to Grimsby, lies Cleethorpes, a fishing town which became one of England’s most popular seaside resorts in the late Victorian period. Trainline voted it the number one seaside town reachable by train in 2021.
What makes this town so charming? It’s a mixture of natural beauty, history (the area has been inhabited since at least the 6th century), plenty of great restaurants, and a surprising number of activities. Below, we’ve collated some of the very best things to do in Cleethorpes, ranging from miniature train rides to bird-watching.
- 1. A walk on the beach
- 2. Venture out into the country
- 3. Cleethorpes boating lake
- 4. Meridian showground
- 5. Take the tiny train
- 6. Birdwatching bonanza
- 7. The Magical Castle
- 8. Sea View Street and Cleethorpes Pier Gardens
- 9. Catch a movie at the Parkway
- 10. Enjoy some Art Deco
- 11. Get a round in at the local links
1. A walk on the beach
Unlike its famous neighbour, Cleethorpes has a beautiful beach, complete with a traditional Victorian pier, lots of sandy stretches to frolic upon and a shallow rake to the sand for paddlers. It’s a real escape from the hustle and bustle with a breath of fresh air every time!
2. Venture out into the country
Unlike many other seaside towns, Cleethorpes boasts inland charms too. Off Kings Road and adjacent to the town’s golf course is Cleethorpes Country Park, a 153-acre green space with artificial lakes whose picturesque appeal belies their origin. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot great crested grebes on the water, cormorants drying their wings or kingfishers diving for fish.
It’s a great place to walk dogs, but you may want to keep them on the lead as this is a nature reserve with protected grassland and woodland habitats.
3. Cleethorpes boating lake
Walk to the most south-easterly extent of the beach and along the footpath and you’ll find this idyllic wedge-shaped park which contains an ornate boating lake and several other attractions. Hire a rowing boat or pedalo to get out on the water with the swans, let your kids play in the paddling pool, or walk the perimeter path for a spot of post-lunch exercise.
One of the best places to eat and drink is contained in the park grounds by the water’s edge – it’s simultaneously a tearoom, a taproom, and a pizzeria! The tearoom is open 10am until 5pm seven days a week and pizza and craft beers can be enjoyed from 12pm until 9pm.
4. Meridian showground
Close to the southern station of the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway you’ll find the Meridian Showground, a large site often used for events, festivals, markets, and rallies. Depending upon when you visit, you may be fortunate enough to catch a movie, concert or market here. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for notification of future events.
Events held here include summer film screenings, the annual Pride celebration and The Gathering, a music festival.
5. Take the tiny train
Light railways are becoming a rarer proposition in England these days. Fortunately, Cleethorpes has one of the most popular and scenic 15-inch gauge routes still available. Two steam-powered engines pull passenger cars for a mile and a half between the promenade station and the Cleethorpes boating lake. You’ll either ride behind a number 24, US-style engine or Bonnie Dundee, a Scottish engine originally built for freight haulage.
After your miniature trip you can enjoy a pint in (or more likely outside) the “Smallest Pub on the Planet”, The Signal Box Inn, an 8ft square refurbished facility offering a surprisingly generous selection of local and craft beers. There’s also a café on platform one and a gift shop for souvenirs.
6. Birdwatching bonanza
There are two great places to go birding near Cleethorpes, so get your Book of British Birds and binoculars out and get “twitching”.
First stop is the Humberston Nature Reserve, adjacent to our Cleethorpes Beach Holiday Park. This sandy strip of low-lying dunes is home to oystercatchers, redshank, egret, skylarks, dunlin, and teal, and is also a great place to exercise your dog (though on the lead). It’s also known locally as the “fitties”.
The other reserve, protected by the RSPB, lies just to the south of the caravan park, at Clayton’s Lagoon, a 2150-acre site called Tetney Marshes. These mudflats, salt marsh and saline lagoons form a habitat for over 175,000 birds, making this section of the Humber floodplain one of Britain’s top five estuaries. Golden plovers, curlews, brent geese and buntings are among the native species and wintering birds you may spot.
7. The Magical Castle
If the little ones are getting restless, there are few places more engaging and exciting in Cleethorpes than this enchanting world on the seafront. The large castle-shaped play area is home to a friendly dragon, a hamster wheel, slides, balance beam and something known as the “black hole” tunnel slide, recommended for only the bravest miniature explorers.
There’s an under-4s play area too, some arcade games and lots of colourful picnic tables at which to enjoy hearty meals from the on-site cafe, including a full English breakfast, soft drinks, teas and coffees.
8. Sea View Street and Cleethorpes Pier Gardens
The area around Sea View Street has the highest concentration of local boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a great place to wander and you’re close enough to Cleethorpes Pier Gardens to explore that too. Look out for the unique pelican waterfall and try your hand at crazy golf if the weather’s good.
Nearby Grimsby is also well worth a visit - there are plenty of things to see and do in Cleethorpes’ northern neighbour.
9. Catch a movie at the Parkway
Situated near the boating lake, this nine-screen multiplex is sure to be showing something to entertain kids and adults of all ages. This small local chain of cinemas prides itself on friendly service and family-friendly programming (as well as more adult fare). There are even occasional screenings of theatre and opera shows, if you fancy something a bit more highbrow. With two or three screenings per day in more auditoriums, and a cosy bar, it’s a perfect rainy day escape plan.
10. Enjoy some Art Deco
Twinkles Uniques is a spacious antiques emporium situated in what was once the Cleethorpes Electrical Showroom. Art Deco fans will admire the crisp, white 1937 exterior, which is Grade II listed. Meanwhile, those seeking a bargain or unique gift will find plenty of choice inside. You’ll find the shop by the roundabout at the bottom of Isaac’s Hill. From dolls houses to drinks cabinets, you’ll find it all at Twinkles.
11. Get a round in at the local links
If you’re a keen golfer, Cleethorpes boasts a mature 18-hole coastal course with tee times bookable for visitors. The course dates to 1894 and offers gently rolling fairways, and a fair to moderate challenge suitable for beginners. Make sure to make time for the 19th hole, with a visit to the excellent restaurant. Sunday lunch and afternoon tea both come highly recommended but do make a reservation.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Pre-loved holiday homes from £14,995 with free 2025 site fees - UPDATED 6 February 2025
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 1 January 2025, completing by 31 December 2025.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Craig Tara, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Orchards, Cleethorpes Beach and Wild Duck
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2025 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
*New holiday homes from £29,995 with free 2025 site fees – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories. Free Site Fees 2025 offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 1 January 2025, completing by 31 December 2025.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2025 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price and free site fees 2025 offer is available at Craig Tara, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Orchards, Cleethorpes Beach and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments for 7 years
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion.
An example of how ‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Owner’s 'Appy Meal Deal for £7.99
All day, every day* - collection only
Only available to Owners staying on park
Any pie, fishcake or large sausage, small chips, any side and a soft drink
Upgrade to regular cod or haddock^ for £3
Owners can use their discount on top of this offer
Only available in Cook’s venues and not from our Cook’s vans. Offer includes any pie: Minced Beef and Onion, Chicken and Mushroom, Steak or Cheese and Onion, fish cake or large sausage (choose from plain or battered) and a portion of small chips, any side and a soft drink. Sides include curry sauce, gravy, beans or mushy peas. Drinks include any soft drinks can or bottled water (excludes Coca Cola). ^Some of our Cook’s do not serve haddock - in this case, an upgrade to cod will be the only option of fish to purchase. Dishes cannot be changed or swapped for alternatives. Non-inclusive of upgrades or add-ons. Discount is applied if all dishes and drinks are purchased together, and this must be in the same transaction. Available daily, subject to venue opening hours. *Some of our Cook’s do not open for lunch trading. Offer is only available when ordering via QR code, app or website and for collection only. Offer is only available to Owners who are staying on park. Owners can use their owner discount on top of this offer. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time, without notice. Offer is valid March 2025 - November 2025. Prices include VAT. This offer can be used in conjunction with all other offers. Offer not available in any on-park franchises. Haven Holidays is a trading name of Bourne Leisure Limited. Registered office: 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4YL. Registered in England and Wales, no 0401166
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Church Farm, Golden Sands, Quay West, Skegness and Church Farm.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Quay West, Skegness, The Orchards and Wild Duck. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £32,795
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 22 April 2024, price is available at Skegness only.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.