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A family-friendly day out at Sandilands
Looking for a place where your family can explore, play and discover together? At Sandilands, big skies, sandy dunes and wide-open spaces create the perfect setting for adventure. Little explorers can spot wildlife, listen for birdsong and feel the sea breeze on their faces, while grown-ups soak up the beauty of this ever-changing coastal landscape.
Whether you’re building sandcastles, hunting for shells or simply enjoying time outdoors, Sandilands is a place to slow down, reconnect with nature and make memories you’ll treasure long after your visit.
Planning your family visit
Here's some key information for planning your family visit...
- The car park has baby changing and toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet and Changing Place. The toilets are open all year round.
- Parking is free for up to two hours, or £2 for the whole day. National Trust members park for free all day – just scan your membership card at the machine.
- To access the site from the car park, you'll need to climb some steps with a handrail.
- There is one hardstanding path through the site. The site is relatively flat, but the ground is uneven and has some steep slopes, which may be muddy in places following wet weather. Improving accessibility to the nature reserve is a key goal of our ongoing project.
- There’s plenty of space to play with frisbees and balls, but please be mindful of ground-nesting birds and other wildlife in the long grass.
- Friendly dogs on short leads are welcome at Sandilands.
- The entrance to Sandilands is free.
Take part in an Easter trail
Our Easter adventures run from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April 2026, between 10am and 4pm, with last entry at 3pm, and costs £3.50 per person, so come and explore Sandilands Nature Reserve.
At the start of your Easter trail, pick up your activity pack to find information about your trail. Find and complete the 10 activities that are hiding along the way. Rabbit Relay, Bulb Planting and Crazy Golf are just some of the activities you can experience at Sandilands this Easter. Finish the trail and collect your chocolate egg (both dairy and vegan and Free From options available).
Family-friendly things to do at Sandilands
Sensory backpacks
Our sensory backpacks come with a variety of sensory items, such as fidget toys, a magnifying glass, and an ear trumpet, and are suitable for people of all ages with diverse needs.
Eco quest backpacks
Are you looking to unleash your spirit of adventure? Borrow an eco-quest backpack. This easy-to-use kit allows young explorers to become a ranger for the day and get closer to nature.
The Sandilands eco quest backpacks are supported by the Coastal Community Challenge and the Big Lottery Fund, now called the National Lottery Community Fund.
50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾
Join in the fun of National Trust's "50 things to do before you're 11 ¾" bucket list designed for young adventurers. Whether you choose to watch a bird, make friends with a bug, or go exploring in your wellies, Sandilands has plenty to offer. Before you embark on your adventure, be sure to check out our suggested activities below.
Sandilands top ‘50 things’ to do this spring
Enjoy a memorable family day out this spring. Plan your own wild adventures and see how many of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities you can try out at Sandilands.
- No. 16 Wear a wild crown
- Get creative with No. 16 at Sandilands, where little hands can gather fallen treasures from nature and transform them into seaside crowns fit for a coastal king or queen.Wear a wild crown
- No. 20 Go paddling
- Make a splash with No. 20 at Sandilands, where little toes can dip into the cool sea, waves gently lap the shore and seaside smiles come naturally.Go paddling
- No. 28 Climb a huge hill
- Take on No. 28 at Sandilands, where little adventurers can scramble up sandy dunes, race to the top and enjoy the thrill of seeing the coast from a whole new perspective.Climb a huge hill
- No. 33 Go cloud watching
- Slow down and look up as you tick off No. 33 at Sandilands, where wide Lincolnshire skies are perfect for spotting shapes, sharing stories and letting imaginations drift by on the breeze.Go cloud watching
- No. 50 Take a friend on a nature adventure
- Why not tick off No. 50 and take a friend on a nature adventure at Sandilands, where big skies, wild dunes and seaside discoveries are waiting to be explored together?Take a friend on a nature adventure
Beach toy library
You can now borrow a bucket and spade from Sandilands, allowing you to enjoy the beach without the worry of forgetting your toys. Simply borrow, enjoy, and return the toys when you're done.
The beach toys are housed in a mini beach hut, specially crafted by Mablethorpe's Men's Shed. Join us in our efforts to reduce waste and keep our oceans free from plastic.
Capture the moment
As spring unfolds, it’s the perfect time to get outside, reconnect with the people you love and enjoy nature bursting back into life. With fresh green shoots, birdsong in the air and wildlife on the move, there are plenty of special moments waiting to be discovered. If you capture a favourite memory at Sandilands, we’d love to see it. Share your photos using #NTSandilands or tag @NTSandilands.
Our partners
Community projects that improve the lives and wellbeing of people living in Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Sutton on Sea.
The Big Lottery Fund, now called the National Lottery Community Fund, awards money raised by National Lottery players to fund great ideas that help communities to thrive.
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