Overview
A straightforward out-and-back walk along the beach, heading north from Mablethorpe’s Golden Sands Holiday Park to the rugged sands and dunes of Theddlethorpe. Treat it as a flexible route: turn around whenever needed, based on your dog or the weather.
Route details
- Start: Golden Sands Holiday Park beach access (over the dunes onto Golden Sands Beach).
- Finish (turn‑around area): The quieter, more natural sands as you approach the Saltfleetby–Theddlethorpe Dunes side of the coast.
- Distance:
- Short: 3–4 km total – 20–30 minutes each way.
- Medium: 6–8 km total – roughly 45–60 minutes each way.
- Long: 10–12 km+ total – 1.5–2 hours each way, reaching Theddlethorpe’s wild section.
- Terrain: Compact sand at low or mid tide, looser dry sand higher up, with dunes as a backdrop.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on distance and wind.
- Facilities: Between Golden Sands and Theddlethorpe, there are no pubs or cafes directly on the beach—it’s an untamed stretch once you leave the park and town. Pack snacks and water, as there are no beachside stops for food or drink.
Step‑by‑step
- From the park to the beach.
Leave Golden Sands Holiday Park by one of the signed beach access paths, cross the dunes and drop onto the sand. Keep the sea on your right. - Head north from Golden Sands.
Turn left (north) and walk away from Mablethorpe town. You’ll quickly leave the busiest section behind and get into a quieter, wider‑feeling beach. - Set your turnaround point.
- For a short walk, go until the park is comfortably behind you and the beach feels spacious and quiet, then turn back.
- For a medium or long walk, continue north as the coastline becomes more remote and the dunes more wild and natural—this leads you toward the Theddlethorpe nature reserve area.
- Return
Turn around and retrace your steps along the sand, or, if the sand is very soft, move up closer to the dune line where it can be a little firmer underfoot.
Note: We based our trip on the AllTrails Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Circular route, although with a dog, we stuck to the beach to avoid nature reserve dog restrictions.
Dog notes & safety
- Aim for low to mid tide for the firmest sand and easiest walking.
- Use a lead or long‑line if recall isn’t rock‑solid, especially as you near any signed wildlife / nature‑reserve areas.
- This coast is exposed: bring water, a towel, and layers; watch for hot sand in summer and cutting wind the rest of the year.
- Always follow any local signs about dog restrictions or wildlife protection as you approach the Saltfleetby–Theddlethorpe Dunes reserve.
