Photo: David Martin (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Skegness
The best holidays are planned around great days out. Here's what's on the doorstep in Skegness, from big-ticket attractions to rainy-day savers.
Showing museums, aquariums and attractions with indoor areas — the ones that work whatever the forecast.
🎟️ This weekend near Skegness
Events from
Skiddle
Aquariums
0.3 mi from Skegness
Skegness Aquarium
Skegness Aquarium sits on the seafront in Skegness, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, and takes you on a pirate-themed journey through an Aqua Theatre, Wet Lab, Sea Caves and Sunken Hold...
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Museums & Galleries
0.6 mi from Skegness
Church Farm
The Village Church Farm, formerly known as Church Farm Museum, is an open-air museum of local and agricultural history near Skegness, Lincolnshire, England. — Wikipedia
10.5 mi from Skegness
Alford Manor House
The Manor House is a Grade II* listed building which can be found on West street within Alford, Lincolnshire, England. It is believed to be the largest thatched manor house in Engl... — Wikipedia
14.1 mi from Skegness
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, in East Kirkby, East Lindsey, is a living wartime airfield museum built around the Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane', the only place in the UK...
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14.1 mi from Skegness
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Military aviation museum in East Kirkby, Lincolnshire
18.9 mi from Skegness
Boston Guildhall
Boston Guildhall is a former municipal building in Boston, Lincolnshire. Built in 1390 and altered through the centuries, in the early 21st century it was restored and now serves a... — Wikipedia
21.1 mi from Skegness
Louth Museum
Louth Museum sits in the historic market town of Louth, at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, and brings together four galleries, a library and a gift shop. Inside you'll find a b...
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22.8 mi from Skegness
The Cottage Museum
The Cottage Museum in Woodhall Spa lets you step into a real Edwardian family home, exploring the rich history of the Wield family, who lived here from 1887 until the 1960s. The ho...
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27 mi from Skegness
The Lynn Museum
Local museum in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk, England, UK
27.1 mi from Skegness
Stories of Lynn
Stories of Lynn brings the history of King's Lynn to life, combining an on-site exhibition with a free companion app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app acts...
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28 mi from Skegness
St Seraphim's Icon and Railway Heritage Museum
Museum in Little Walsingham, Norfolk, United Kingdom
28.1 mi from Skegness
Shirehall Museum and Abbey Grounds
Walsingham Abbey brings together the Shirehall Museum with the Abbey Grounds, a historic site centred on the spectacular ruins of the medieval Priory of Our Lady of Walsingham. The...
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Zoos & Wildlife
4.2 mi from Skegness
Hardys Animal Farm
Hardy's Animal Farm is a family-friendly attraction set in over 7 acres of Lincolnshire countryside near Ingoldmells, East Lindsey. You can meet, feed and interact with the farm's...
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14.4 mi from Skegness
ARK Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
ARK Wildlife Park is a Lincolnshire zoo and exotic animal rescue in Stickney, East Lindsey, combining rescued wild animals with a dinosaur park. You can walk around Jurassic Ark's...
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Where to stay near Skegness
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Skegness
Itineraries
- A weekend in Skegness: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Skegness with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Skegness · 2 days
Haunted Britain
From the blog
Family favourites
Skegness is a straightforward place to plan days out with children, because several of the bigger attractions are in the town itself. Fantasy Island is the best-known name and one of the area's landmarks. It's a theme park, so expect a full day rather than a quick visit. Pleasure Land is another theme park in Skegness, and Captain Kids Adventure World gives you a third option. That's handy if you're staying a few days and want to spread things out.
For animals, Natureland Seal Sanctuary is in Skegness, and The Seal Sanctuary is also listed in the town. A seal sanctuary works well as a half-day outing and pairs easily with something livelier in the afternoon.
Splashing about and fair-weather days
If the sun's out, Skegness has two water-based options:
- Fairy Dell Paddling Pool is a simple, low-key choice for younger children who just want to splash.
- Skegness Water Leisure Park is worth a look if you'd like a water-themed day out.
Both are best saved for a dry, warm day. Have a backup plan ready in case the weather turns.
Rainy day ideas
Museums are a sensible fallback when the forecast is grim. Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, you'll find the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, the Gordon Boswell Romany Museum and North Ings Farm Museum. Each offers something quite different: aviation history, Romany heritage and farming life. These are outside Skegness itself, so check journey times before you set off. If you're relying on a theme park on a wet day, check in advance how much of it is under cover.
Heritage and history
Gunby Hall is a National Trust property and the obvious choice if you want a quieter, more traditional day out. It makes a good contrast to the busier seaside attractions. If you enjoy history, pair it with one of the Lincolnshire museums above to make a heritage-themed day.
If you're happy to travel further, some listings fall outside the Skegness area. These include The Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes, and The Lynn Museum and Holkham Stories Experience in Hunstanton. Treat these as separate trips and check travel times first.
Grouping attractions into a sensible day
Keeping each day to one area saves time in the car and keeps everyone happier. A few combinations that work:
- Seaside fun day: a morning at Natureland Seal Sanctuary, then an afternoon at Pleasure Land or Captain Kids Adventure World, with fish and chips to finish.
- Big theme park day: give Fantasy Island the whole day rather than squeezing something else in.
- Sunny day with little ones: Fairy Dell Paddling Pool in the morning and Skegness Water Leisure Park later, or the other way round.
- Heritage day: Gunby Hall paired with the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, the Gordon Boswell Romany Museum or North Ings Farm Museum.
Where to eat
These places all hold a 5-star food hygiene rating:
- The Village Chippy – fish and chips
- Sea Chef – fish and chips
- The Ancient Mariner Inn – pub
- Admiral Benbow – pub
- Charnwood Tavern – pub
Fish and chips suits a seaside day, and a pub meal makes an easy evening after a long day out. If you're eating at peak times during school holidays, ring ahead where you can.
Turning it into a short break
With 389 places to stay on BritStays in the Skegness area, you have plenty of choice for a weekend or midweek break. Three days is a comfortable length. You could spend one day on a theme park, one on the seal sanctuary and water attractions, and keep one flexible for the weather. That flexible day can go on Gunby Hall or a museum if it rains. If you're travelling with children, choose a stay that keeps journeys short to the attractions you care about most.
Practical tips before you go
- Check opening days and times directly with each attraction. Seaside venues often change their hours by season.
- Look at the forecast the night before and swap your outdoor and indoor days if needed.
- Check journey times for anything outside Skegness itself, especially the Lincolnshire museums and listings in Cleethorpes or Hunstanton.
- Pack towels and a change of clothes for water-based days, even if you're only planning a paddle.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main theme parks in Skegness?
Fantasy Island, Pleasure Land and Captain Kids Adventure World are all theme parks listed in Skegness. Fantasy Island is also one of the area's best-known landmarks.
Can you see seals in Skegness?
Yes. Natureland Seal Sanctuary is in Skegness, and The Seal Sanctuary is also listed in the town.
Are there water attractions in Skegness?
Yes. Fairy Dell Paddling Pool and Skegness Water Leisure Park are both water attractions in Skegness. They are best enjoyed on a dry, warm day.
What can you do near Skegness on a rainy day?
Museums are a good choice. The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, the Gordon Boswell Romany Museum and North Ings Farm Museum are all elsewhere in Lincolnshire. Check journey times and opening hours before you go.
Is there a National Trust property in the Skegness area?
Yes. Gunby Hall is a National Trust property and makes a good quieter day out alongside the seaside attractions.
Where can you get fish and chips in the Skegness area?
The Village Chippy and Sea Chef both serve fish and chips and hold 5-star food hygiene ratings.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Skegness.