Camping in North Somercotes

North Somercotes and the surrounding marsh and dune coastline offer a genuinely quiet corner of Lincolnshire for campers, though as everywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the landowner's explicit permission, so a proper site is the way to go. The area around the village has a decent choice of caravan and camping parks, ranging from small, adult-only touring sites built around fishing lakes to larger family-oriented holiday parks nearer Mablethorpe with bars, entertainment and easy beach access. Applewood Countryside Park, just outside the village, is a well-regarded example that takes touring caravans, motorhomes, tents and rally groups across generous open grounds.

The terrain here is flat coastal marsh and farmland, reclaimed from the sea over centuries, which makes for easy, low-effort walking and cycling from a pitch but also means the coast can be exposed to wind coming straight off the North Sea, particularly in the shoulder seasons. Good waterproofs and windproof layers are worth packing whatever time of year you visit. Spring through early autumn is the most comfortable stretch for camping in the conventional sense, with longer days and milder conditions, while sites generally quieten down once the clocks change.

For anyone visiting specifically for the Donna Nook seal colony between late October and December, camping is still possible at sites that stay open through the season, and a static base nearby makes it easy to time a visit for early morning or late afternoon light when the reserve is at its most atmospheric and least crowded. Glamping has also taken hold along this stretch of coast, with wooden cabins and hot-tub pods available at a number of nearby parks for those who want the coastal setting without full self-sufficiency. Whatever the pitch, campers should stick to reserve paths and viewing areas at Donna Nook itself, both to protect the seals and their pups and because the site's management actively discourages any approach beyond the designated viewing zones.