LINCOLNSHIRE, if we’re honest, is all a bit of a mystery. Only the Humber Bridge stands between East Yorkshire and our nearest county but there are times when it feels like a world away. That vast sprawl of land to the south has always been a holiday destination for others in my blinkered mind. But not anymore.
Within 90 minutes of Hull (provided you’re willing to part with the bridge toll) there is a wonderful coastline to discover. My preference might always be for Yorkshire’s beaches, even now, but Lincolnshire’s lure has to be admired.
Our stay was in the sleepy seaside hamlet of Anderby Creek, halfway between the more traditional honeypots of Mablethorpe and Skegness. Many of its inhabitants live in the well-kept caravan parks that lead down to the beach, each with their own busy bar, but our accommodation was at Seaside Lodge, a revived 1950s chalet.
Sleeping four, as well as our well-behaved Labrador, its attention to detail and modern design was outstanding. And then there’s the rather special location. Directly to the front of the lodge is a picturesque lake and just 100m away are white sandy beaches that roll on as far as the eye will allow. Get sick of that and there are numerous nature reserves to explore nearby.
Anderby Creek will be too quiet for some but it all ticked all the boxes for my wife, baby daughter and I. We wanted a hideaway and got precisely that. All the stresses of modern life were chucked out of the window somewhere along the A16.
There’s plenty to explore nearby, too. A short drive down the coast is Chapel St Leonards and beyond that Skegness, then to the north Sutton on Sea and Mablethorpe. All of those offer what have become the more traditional seaside attractions of arcades, candy floss and fish and chips. There you will find more than enough to keep children happy during the long summer days.
Just so long as you retreat back to Anderby Creek on an evening and the beach you feel guilty for telling others about. The secret is still safe for now, though.