Explore Cleethorpes & North East Lincolnshire: Beaches, Heritage & Foodie Delights

Home to the pretty resort of Cleethorpes and on the edge of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, this is an ideal base for exploring nature reserves, local food and drink and a lively cultural scene. 

Relax on the four miles of golden sands, stroll the prom, munch fish ‘n’ chips on the pier, build sandcastles and enjoy all the seaside favourites, Cleethorpes’ beaches make the perfect summer escape. 

Rain or shine, there’s plenty to do, strike it lucky ten pin bowling, have fun at the slots in the arcades or catch the latest blockbuster at Parkway Cinema. Close to the seafront at Meridian Point, the Magical Castle offers indoor play for kids of all ages. Watch them let off steam at the large 4-storey play frames with monkey bars, hamster wheel, ball pool, bouncy castle and lots more. 

You’ll find a wealth of history at the multi-award-winning Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre. Discover life of the trawlermen and their families and how the town developed into the world’s premier fishing port.  While you’re here, visit Grimsby Minster, a beautiful 13th century building granted a charter by King John in 1201, 14 years before he agreed to the Magna Carter in Runnymede. 

The nearby town of Immingham was once part of the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims who fled England’s shores 400 years ago, the Immingham Museum tells the history. 

If you’re looking for lighter entertainment, drop into the Grimsby Auditorium or Caxton Theatre for a performance or make your way to Docks Academy, for live music and comedy nights, enjoy artisan beers from the on-site brewery in the Tap Room.  Check out events at Meridian Showground for live music, family fun and festivals. 

Thanks to its farming legacy, Lincolnshire has a world-famous reputation for food and drink, whether from land or sea you’ll find some of the UK’s best producers here. 

Ask any local and they’ll swear that Cleethorpes and Grimsby fish and chips are the best in the world. Choose from any one of the seafront restaurants, Papa’s Fish and Chips, Ocean Fish Bar or the long-established Steels Restaurant or tuck into a takeaway looking out to sea on the Prom. 

If you’re looking to splurge or celebrate, there’s fine dining and tasting menus at the Pig & Whistle at Healing Manor or Nasturtium in Cleethorpes or Abbys Bistro in Abbeygate, Grimsby. 

For something more immersive, try any one of the great food and drink experiences in the area. Visit Docks Beers, a craft brewery and tap room for a guided tour and tasting.  Discover the age-old process of smoking fresh fish with a Smoked Fish Tour at Alfred Enderby Grimsby, just make sure to book ahead. 

Chocoholic? Plan a chocolate workshop with local producers Duffys Chocolate or Chocolat Story, sessions are available for adults and children. 

To discover farm shops and delis, cafes and tearooms, butchers, ice-cream parlours and much more, download the North East Lincolnshire food map here. 

You’re planning a coastal break and nothing is more important than the beach itself. This stretch of coastline is split into four – North and Central Proms, Marine Embankment and Humberston Fitties. 

Come to Cleethorpes Central Prom for good old-fashioned family fun, a fine sandy beach with plenty of seafront attractions, amusement arcades, bowling, crazy golf and the Lollipop Land Train.  Dozens of cafes and food kiosks are on hand for refuelling, this is the perfect family day on the sands. However, do remember to check the tide times for advice on incoming tide times. 

Parallel to Central Prom but offering a quieter solace are the Pier Gardens or check out the views from Ross Castle, a Victorian folly built in 1885. 

Cleethorpes Pier itself is located in the centre of the North and Central prom beach, the prom, road and footpath make a pleasant stroll or cycle beside the sea.

 Turn left by the Pier and you’ll be on North Prom, a great family-friendly sandy stretch with a gentle gradient. Alongside gift shops and cafes, is a range of sports facilities. 100m markers are set into paving for sprint and running targets. There’s also a series of fitness furniture for workouts. Here you’ll also see the Luminations, lighting up the sky from dusk to midnight and before dawn. Escape to nature at the Marine Embankment Beach, an SSSI consisting of large areas of reed beds, used by nesting birds and breeding grounds for wildlife and fish.

Take the dog for a walk on the beach or go horse riding, the beach has numerous access points and walking and cycling trail. Visit the Discovery Centre and boating lake for views of the Humber Estuary and feeding the ducks, enjoy a coffee in the café or pizza from the Tap House. Humberston Fitties is a pristine stretch of sand separated by groynes at the south end of Cleethorpes, between the Saltmarsh and Marine Embankment beach area and the Humber Mouth Yacht Club. Although it has few facilities, it offers unspoilt beauty and is a magnet for kite surfers. The area offers excellent views to Hail Sand and Bull Sand World War II forts and on clear days to Spurn Point. You can hire holiday chalets here right on the beach, and there is also a larger caravan park, Thorpe Park