Take a drive…in 90 minutes or less you can reach Skegness

http://www.skegness.net
http://www.funcoast.co.uk

It’s the home of the Jolly Sailor, the mecca for generations of holidaymakers seeking a carefree week or two by the sea.

Trends change, but seaside resorts like Skegness go on for ever.

Originally a fishing village and small port Skegness, which today has a resident population of around 19,000, began its rise as a major holiday centre following the arrival of the railway in 1875. And in the history of British seaside holidays it holds a proud place for it was here, in neighbouring Ingoldmells parish, that Billy Butlin in 1936 opened the first of his holiday camps. Today that same organisation still flourishes in Skegness with a state of the art holiday centre that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

With an award winning miles long sandy beach and lively seafront offering all the much-loved holiday attractions modern Skegness is a resort for all ages, described by Lonely Planet's Great Britain guide as “everything you could want” in a seaside resort.

But besides amusement parks with all the latest in modern rides the town is also a major centre for bowls, and is the home to the world's premier Meccano exhibition, annually staged in the Embassy Theatre, on the Grand Parade

A more traditional attraction is the resort’s pier which opened on Whit Monday in 1843 and at that time was the fourth longest in England at 562 metres. Over the years damage by the weather and accidents involving ships reduced its length considerably. More recent times, however, have seen the pier undergo major refurbishment.

For many Skegness – locally known as “Skeggy” - is also famous for its mascot, the famous Jolly Fisherman designed by John Hassall in 1908 along with the slogan “Skegness is so bracing,” a fact with which few would disagree.

Night-life abounds with clubs, discos and pubs offering entertainment as well as the Embassy Theatre which presents shows by some of the country’s best lived entertainers.

For visitors planning to stay there are numerous hotels and boarding houses, plus the surrounding area in what is generally known as the Lincolnshire Fun Coast, which includes the smaller, but also lively towns of Mablethorpe, Chapel St. Leonards, Ingoldmells, Sutton on Sea and Trusthorpe.

Getting there:
From the Humber Bridge follow the A15 to the roundabout that connects with the A180/M180 and carry straight on onto the A18 travelling towards Louth. At Louth go onto the A16 to the roundabout at Ulceby Cross and leave at the second exit onto Bluestone Heath Road (A1028). You are now on the A1028. Continue for five miles and at the roundabout take the second exit onto the A158 which will take you to Skegness.

Distance from Humber Bridge – 55 miles. Driving time 1 hour 25 minutes.