Alford

A proper Lincolnshire market town with genuine grit, Alford sits in the heart of the Wolds countryside where vast skies stretch endlessly over rolling farmland. The weekly market still draws locals from miles around, though the town feels refreshingly unpretentious compared to some of its more touristy neighbours.

St Andrew's stands as the town's architectural centrepiece, while the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary offers a surprisingly touching encounter with rescued animals - it's the sort of place that restores your faith in human kindness. The surrounding Lincolnshire Wolds provide excellent walking territory, with bridleways cutting through fields that seem to go on forever.

What makes Alford particularly appealing is its position as a proper base for exploring both countryside and coast. You're a twenty-minute drive from the seaside resorts of Mablethorpe and Skegness, but far enough inland to escape the holiday crowds. The town itself won't keep you busy for days, but that's rather the point - it's unpretentious and real.

Getting here requires a car, really. The nearest major town is Lincoln, about forty minutes southwest. Several holiday parks dot the surrounding area, from adult-only touring sites like Willow Tree Farm to family-friendly spots closer to the coast at places like Woodthorpe Leisure Park and Seacroft Holiday Estate. They make perfect sense for anyone wanting to explore both the Wolds' walking country and Lincolnshire's traditional seaside without the premium prices of staying directly on the coast.