Gibraltar Point

The lighthouse at Gibraltar Point has been guiding ships along the Lincolnshire coast since 1787, and it's still one of the most distinctive landmarks you'll spot from Skegness beach. The red and white tower stands on a nature reserve that's genuinely worth exploring, especially if you've got binoculars handy - the birdwatching here is proper good, particularly during migration seasons when waders and terns pass through in surprising numbers.

Walking out to it takes about twenty minutes from the beach car park, which gives you time to clock the salt marsh habitat and the dunes. The lighthouse itself is more about the view than going inside - you can get decent photographs from the perimeter, and on a clear day the sweep of coast towards Mablethorpe is quite striking. It's free to access, which is the main thing.

Walkers will get the most from this one, to be honest. Kids under ten might find the trudge across the sand a bit much, and there's not a cafe or facilities to speak of. But if you're stopping at Skegness Seaview or any of the caravan parks within a few miles, it's a proper break from the amusement arcades and fairground rides. The nature reserve keeps things feeling slightly wild compared to the main seafront. Allow a couple of hours if you want to explore the salt marsh paths properly. Spring and autumn are best for avoiding crowds and catching migrating birds.