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Sandilands
Nottinghamshire & LincolnshireA new haven for nature on Lincolnshire's wild coast
Roman Bank, Sandilands nr Sutton-on-Sea, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, LN12 2RJ
Important notice
Please note that due to project works on site, some pathways may be temporarily closed. Thank you for your patience.
Opening times for 28 August 2025
Asset Opening time Nature Reserve Dawn - Dusk Car Park 08:00 - 18:00 MTWTFSS2829303112345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
The car park is adjacent to former clubhouse. Please note there is a height barrier in place (1.95 metres). Open 8am-6pm, seven days a week. No overnight parking. Parking JustPark location code: 80667
- Dogs allowed
Friendly dogs on short leads are welcome at Sandilands.
Dogs allowed - more information- Toilet
Available in the main car park.
Visitors to Sandilands can expect some uneven ground and gentle inclines, with areas that may become muddy after wet weather. Work is already underway to create accessible pathways, as improving access for all is a key priority of the Sandilands project. We’re committed to making this special place welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
- Accessible toilet
Available in the main car park, requires a radar key.
- Changing Places
Available in the main car park, requires a radar key.
- Designated parking
There are two designated accessible parking spaces at the top of the road adjacent to the main car park entrance leading to the seafront, as well as designated accessible parking in the main car park. Vehicles displaying a blue badge are exempt from charges.
- Drop-off point
The drop-off point is located at the top of the road adjacent to the main car park entrance, leading to the seafront.
- Steps/uneven terrain
Sandilands has some steps, steep slopes, and uneven terrain, which may be muddy in places following wet weather. Improving accessibility to the nature reserve is a key goal of the ongoing project.
- By road
- Located just off the A52, coast road, signposted Sandilands.Parking: Car park open 8am-6pm, seven days a week. No overnight parking.Sat Nav: Use LN12 2SE. The car park is adjacent to the former clubhouse.
- By train
- The closest railway station to Sandilands is Skegness station (11 miles away).
- By bus
- Regular buses, passing close to National Trust Sandilands, run from Skegness and Mablethorpe, Monday to Saturday (excluding Bank Holidays). The bus stop for Stagecoach no.59 is located on Sea Lane, just under one mile walk from the northern tip of the nature reserve.
Roman Bank, Sandilands nr Sutton-on-Sea, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, LN12 2RJ
Planning your visit
What's on at Sandilands
Discover upcoming events and activities at Sandilands.
Article
Accessibility at Sandilands
The National Trust is for everyone. We want every visitor to have a great experience with us, and we are always working to improve the accessibility of the places we care for.
Article
Visiting Sandilands with your dog
Sandilands is a two-pawprint-rated place, showing we're a good National Trust place to visit with your dog.
Article
A family-friendly day out at Sandilands
Sandilands, on the Lincolnshire coast, is a captivating haven where children fall in love with nature. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and teeming with diverse wildlife, it's the perfect place for young explorers to connect with the great outdoors.
School and group visits to Sandilands
Explore the nature and wildlife of the Lincolnshire coast with a school or group visit to Sandilands that will ignite imaginations. Email sandilands@nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.
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Sandilands project page
Work is continuing to progress on the nature reserve, a beautiful haven for wildlife
Highlights
Coastal landscape
Sandilands is set to become a vibrant new nature reserve — a place where wildlife can flourish and people can experience the joy of nature all year round. With a focus on creating the right habitats for migrating birds like the black-tailed godwit, spotted redshank and spoonbill, as well as breeding species such as snipe, lapwing and oystercatcher, Sandilands will play a vital role in protecting the rich natural life of the Lincolnshire coast. It’s already a beautiful spot for a stroll, open every day of the year - and with exciting plans taking shape, it’s just the beginning of something truly special.
Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park
Working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, this stretch of coastline runs from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards — a place where nature and people come together. This part of the coast offers sandy beaches, scenic walking routes and thriving nature reserves. Under the wide Lincolnshire skies, visitors can spot coastal birds such as avocets, redshanks and marsh harriers. Whether it’s a peaceful stroll, a chance to connect with wildlife, or simply time well spent by the sea, this coastline offers something for everyone, every day of the year.
Weekly walks
Take time for yourself with a gentle walk through the ever-changing landscape of Sandilands. Our weekly wellness walks offer a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being outdoors. Open to all abilities, these walks are a welcoming way to connect with nature - and with others. Join us every Monday at 10am and discover how time in nature can lift the spirits and soothe the mind.
Things to see and do
Article
A family-friendly day out at Sandilands
Sandilands, on the Lincolnshire coast, is a captivating haven where children fall in love with nature. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and teeming with diverse wildlife, it's the perfect place for young explorers to connect with the great outdoors.
Article
Things to see and do at Sandilands
Explore a developing nature haven and bird paradise at Sandilands in Lincolnshire, part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park network.
Work starts at Sandilands
Progress is continuing on the wetlands and Sandilands is taking shape.
Places to stay
Gunby Old Rectory
A classic Georgian rectory house with a fine regency-style interior to match.
Orchard Cottage
Explore Gunby Hall and Gardens when you stay in this estate cottage set within its parklands.
Whitegates Cottage
A gorgeous traditional thatched cottage on the Gunby estate with walks all around.
Upcoming events
Event
Autumn weekly wellness walks
Slow down and soak up the season on this peaceful 3-mile loop through Sandilands. A perfect way to refresh your senses and reconnect with nature.
Event
East Coast Yoga at Sandilands
Start your day with calm, connection, and coastal air. Join local yoga teacher Irene Espley for a gentle, grounding session in the peaceful setting of Sandilands.
Event
Nature & Nurture: An Evening Walk
Take time for yourself and reconnect with nature on this gentle evening walk through Sandilands.
Event
Autumn weekly wellness walks
Enjoy a scenic 5-mile coastal loop from Sandilands, where sea air and seasonal wildlife offer a refreshing escape. Prefer a gentler pace? A shorter, accessible route is also available.
Event
Monthly dog walk
Looking for a fun and healthy activity for you and your furry friend? Join us for the monthly dog walk at Sandilands, led by experienced dog trainer Debbie Crummey. It's a great way to bond with your pup and meet fellow dog lovers.
Event
Autumn weekly wellness walks
Discover the beauty of nature on this peaceful 3-mile loop through Sandilands, where fresh air, wildlife, and wide skies invite you to slow down and reconnect.
Event
A journey through nature and history
Sandilands’ story stretches back to medieval salt marshes. Join us for a Heritage Open Days walk, through time and explore the site's journey from fairways to flourishing coastal landscape.
Event
Dance Free: Sunrise by the Sea at Sandilands
Start your day with joy, connection, and nature. Celebrate the changing seasons with free-flowing movement, fresh air, and good energy. No steps to follow, just your body, the rhythm, and the rising sun.
About Sandilands
The National Trust is breathing new life into the former golf course at Sandilands — turning it into a wild, wonderful nature-rich space that everyone can enjoy, all year round. Working hand-in-hand with Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, the team is creating a patchwork of wetlands and coastal habitats that are already drawing in remarkable wildlife. Look out for black-tailed godwits sweeping across the sky, spoonbills wading in the shallows, and lapwings calling from the meadows. These habitats are being carefully designed to support both migrating and breeding birds, making Sandilands a vital stop on the east coast flyway. But this transformation isn’t just for wildlife — it’s for people too. Sandilands is becoming a place where families can explore, children can play and learn, and everyone can feel the freedom and calm that comes from being surrounded by nature. This is more than a nature reserve — it’s a place to belong. A place to connect with the land, the coast, and each other. As the work continues, Sandilands is set to become a beacon for how nature and people can thrive side by side.
Our work
Project
Sandilands Nature Reserve
Discover more about the Sandilands Nature Reserve project. We're working with partner organisations to create, manage and connect habitats to support nature along the Lincolnshire coast.
Project
News
Our response to National Grid's proposal to build a new transmission line from Grimsby to Walpole
The National Trust has shared concerns about National Grid's plans to build a new high-voltage electricty transmission line between Grimsby and Walpole.
News
Our position on Centre Port's plan for The Wash
The Wash is one of the most important estuaries in the UK. Therefore, news of a potential new container terminal and tidal scheme in an area designated for its importance to wildlife, is deeply concerning. Some bold claims are being made about ecology and we are keen to seek further information on the detailed plans and data to back these up.
