SKEGNESS

The shore between Boston and Skegness is largely empty and unspoilt. It is protected by 22 miles of sea wall, with marshes on the seaward side and houses on the landward side. In 1949, the wall was the victim of one of the many storms to have battered this coast over the years, when it crumbled under 20-foot waves. On the way to Skegness, we pass the village of Wrangle, with its 14th century church of St Mary and St Nicholas, and the town of Wainfleet All Saints, home to Bateman’s Brewery, which puts on tours for visitors. Wainfleet is said to be on the site of the Roman town of Vainona. The other notable building here is the 15th century Magdalen College School built by the Bishop of Winchester to prepare students for Magdalen College in Oxford.

I love old railway posters, and one of the posters which sticks in my mind is the one of Skegness, which features a fisherman skipping along the sandy beach under the slogan “Skegness is SO bracing”. Probably a fitting description, given its position halfway up the North Sea coast of England. “Skeggy”, as it is fondly referred to by many, came about largely thanks to the railways, and its reputation as a seaside resort is helped by the huge 6-mile stretch of sandy beach, which has been given the seal of approval by the Blue Flag awards. The beach is complemented by the traditional seaside embellishments of formal gardens and boating lakes, with attractions including the Aquarium, the Embassy Theatre, the Pier and the Natureland Seal Sanctuary. Church Farm Museum looks back at the locality’s agricultural past, with reconstructed buildings including a Lincolnshire “mud and stud” thatched cottage. Skegness also has a Model Village. There is a branch of Butlins in Skegness which each year holds a Folk Festival. For other events in the resort, follow this link.

Webcam view from the RNLI observation tower.

Map of the area.

Skegness Pier - geograph.org.uk - 1386576. Photo by David Pickersgill, via Wikimedia Commons.