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SEA WHY
I visited UK’s ‘worst seaside town’ each year as a kid and love taking mine – it’s a gem that shouldn’t be overlooked
And the Sun Travel teams favourite seaside towns
MABLETHORPE, near Skegness, is often slated as a seaside town.
It came bottom of the list for England's seaside resorts this year in a Which? survey but I find it hard to believe, having visited it both as a child and now as a mum.
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The little coastal gem always delivers all the fun in the sun you'd expect at the Great British seaside.
I grew up going to the Lincolnshire coast every year for my family's annual trip to the seaside and I still love taking my boys back now.
One of my earliest holiday memories is riding a tandem in the sunshine with my parents and my brothers and going to watch the Care Bears Movie, around the time that Mablethorpe’s cinema was reopened as the Loewen, which is still going strong.
Mablethorpe's beach stretches for miles and there's two little trains that run you along the front if you're staying further out at one of the holiday parks like Haven Golden Sands and want to get into the centre.
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The trains are known as Landy and Sandy as one runs on the road and the other on the beach.
Tickets for Landy are £2 each, while Sandy costs £3 per person return or £1.50 for a one way trip and then you can amble back along the sandy shore, paddling in the sea if the tide is right. Under threes travel free and dogs are welcome aboard.
The trains are just one of the attractions run by Jacksons of Mablethorpe, which also offer a beachfront arcade with a mix of machines to keep all ages amused.
As the company is on the cusp of celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, it must be doing something right and there's plenty of visitors like my family who keep coming back year after year.
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If arcades and bars aren't your thing, my top tip would be to check out the seal sanctuary at North End Beach over the road from the Haven park if you love wildlife or take a trip down the coast to charming Sutton-on-Sea if you fancy a change of scene.
Golden Sands is a great place to stay, with indoor and outdoor pools and loads of kids activities like archery, climbing, high ropes and a free soft play.
The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches
It's consistently rated as one of the most popular Haven sites and we've had loads of brilliant breaks there, meeting up with friends and having a blast.
My favourite time of year to visit is actually the October half term as I've often bagged a bargain as the holiday season comes to an end.
It's fun checking out who's decorated their caravan for Halloween and holiday parks can be a great place for traffic-free trick or treating.
And Lincolnshire is perfect for a staycay if you want to keep things cheap as chips as it's not a big holiday hotspot, other than for Midlanders, so the prices are lower than at other seaside spots.
The irony of Mablethorpe's surprise rating of just 46 per cent in this year's Which? survey is that it's only a year since it was named England's best beach in research commissioned by car rental firm Sixt, beating the likes of Cromer in Norfolk.
It was judged on water quality, parking, nearby amenities and whether there's lifeguards on duty.
I'd be far more inclined to agree with last year's rating, although if you're looking at Mablethorpe town centre as a whole, there are bits that do look like they need a bit of TLC, like entertainment complex Spanish City, which was recently spotted on hit TV drama Sherwood.
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Last year, it was neighbouring Skegness that came joint bottom of the Which? seaside survey, so it just goes to show that fortunes can change overnight.
If you're looking for an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Skegvegas, the golden sands are what make Mablethorpe a must-visit in my eyes.
What are the Sun team's favourite seaside towns?
The Sun's travel team share some of their favourite English seaside towns
Folkestone, Kent
With views of France (on a very clear day), the main attraction is the Harbour Arm, sitting at the edge of the converted train tracks and selling hand-crafted goods and amazing food.
The multicoloured high street with shops and restaurants can't be missed, my favourites being Burrito Buoy for some amazing margaritas and The Folkestone Bookshop for some novels.
You'll need to pack your beach shoes as it has a stony beach over a sandy beach - but after a few drinks at the much loved pilot bar, you'll hardly care.
Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Mousehole, Cornwall
The small sandy bay has retained it's chocolate box charm, crammed with weathered fishing boats and backed by pokey cafes and airy art galleries where seaside-inspired works hang from the walls.
For impeccable views of a wild sea and homemade grub, head to Rock Pool Cafe which sits atop a craggy cliff and order a 'make it yourself' hot chocolate.
There are some impressive coastal walks - but be warned it can be hilly.
Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire
Accessible on a spit of sand when the tide is out, this quirky little community art project is made up of driftwood, flags and mementoes from those who have visited to admire the huge swathes of golden sands and sparkling waters.
Sadly the original was destroyed in a fire in 2023 but an enthusiastic band of local volunteers are slowly re-building the landmark.
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
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