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Things to see and do at Sandilands

A view from the top of the sand dune at Sandilands, looking out towards the North Sea.
View of the North Sea, Sandilands, Lincolnshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Enjoy summertime on the Lincolnshire coast and get closer to nature at Sandilands. Listen to birdsong and the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore. While the fresh air and coastal views leave you feeling invigorated.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the greenery of the countryside, taking in the nature that surrounds you, and head back along the golden sands of this quiet stretch of Lincolnshire coastline.

Walk with us

Soak up the picturesque landscapes surrounding Sandilands this summer. Our weekly wellness walks take place every Monday at 10am. Each week, explore different routes to take in the nature, local wildlife, and views of the area. Discover more about our upcoming summer walks here.

A rusty red and black bird known as a redstart resting on a branch
Redstarts can be identified by their bright orange-red tails which often quiver. | © National Trust Images / Douglas Holden

Migrating birds

The East Atlantic Flyway is of significant importance for migrating birds. Along with the birds that come to Sandilands to breed in summer, many other species are “passage migrants,” which means they fly along the coast stopping off to rest and refuel before continuing their journey to places like northern Scandinavia, Siberia, and Iceland.

Most of these birds are waders and won’t use Sandilands until the wetlands are in place. However, look out for some of them along the foreshore, such as whimbrel, spotted redshank, and ruff. You might also be lucky enough to spot a ring ouzel among the bushes or a redstart hopping along the sea wall.

Borrow a pair of binoculars from SandiDunes café kiosk and add what you spot to our sightings board.

Wildlife watch

Summer at Sandilands isn't just about birds - the grasslands also have displays of wildflowers.

Lady's bedstraw (Galium verum)
Lady's bedstraw flowers fill the air with a sweet, honey-like scent. | © National Trust Images/Peter Katic

Lady's bedstraw

Keep an eye out for the 'frothy' flowers of lady's bedstraw, that carpets the grasses with yellow and fills the air with a sweet, honey-like scent.

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These wildflowers will attract all kinds of insects, including bees and familiar butterflies like peacock, small tortoiseshell, brimstone, meadow brown and the tiny orange small heath. The vivid red and black cinnabar moths fly by day and become visible when in large numbers – look out for their distinctive black and amber banded caterpillars on ragwort.

Visit the beach

There are lots of opportunities to take a moment to pause on the seafront at Sandilands. Watch flocks of seabirds overhead, search the shoreline for seashells, and keep a lookout for playful seals in the waves.

On a warm summer’s day, the beach can transport you to a faraway place, while nature bursting to life inland offers the charm of a traditional British summer.

Amongst the sand dunes on the beach, with blue sea and sky in the background.
Go wild at the seaside | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park

Forming part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, Sandilands’ preserved coastline is the perfect place to explore nature and wildlife in beautiful surroundings.

The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is a stretch of 5 miles of coastline running from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, and extends inland to Hogsthorpe, Mumby, Anderby and Huttoft. It includes nature reserves, unspoilt beaches and sand dunes with plenty of birdlife to discover.

Capture the moment

Get ready for a summer full of fun, and bring everyone together for an adventurous day out at Sandilands. As you make memories and reconnect with loved ones, remember to capture your treasured moments this summer. We’d love for you to share photos of your visit to Sandilands. Use #NTSandilands or @NTSandilands to tag us on social media.

A child looks through yellow binoculars directly at the camera with a big smile on his face.

Looking for a day out that'll keep the whole family entertained?

Sandilands 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.

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