Trusthorpe

Trusthorpe is a small, largely residential village on the Lincolnshire coast, tucked between the bigger resorts of Mablethorpe to the north and Sutton-on-Sea to the south. There is no seafront promenade or amusement arcade here, and that is rather the point: Trusthorpe is where people go to escape those things while staying only a couple of miles from them. The village sits behind a line of dunes, with fields and holiday parks filling the gap between the coast road and the beach.

The character of the place is shaped by its holiday parks as much as by its handful of permanent residents. Touring caravans, static holiday homes and a scatter of houses along Trusthorpe Road make up most of the settlement, with the 13th-century St Peter's Church marking the old heart of the parish. It is unpretentious and low-key, a place for a quiet walk on the sand or a slow week away rather than a lively seaside break.

Top things to do in Trusthorpe

Trusthorpe is a small village, so its attractions are modest and mostly outdoors, but there is enough here for a relaxed few days, especially if you are happy to walk or drive the short distance into Mablethorpe or Sutton-on-Sea for more.

• Trusthorpe Beach — A wide, sandy beach reached on foot across the dunes, notably quieter than the beaches at Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea either side. Dogs are welcome here year-round, with no seasonal restrictions.
• St Peter's Church — A Grade II listed parish church with parts dating to the 13th and 14th centuries, including an octagonal font from around 1400 and a tower built in 1606. The original medieval church on an earlier site was lost when the sea broke through in 1287.
• The dunes and coastal path — The stretch of dune and marram grass behind the beach makes for an easy, breezy walk, with views along the coast towards Mablethorpe's seafront in one direction and Sutton-on-Sea's cliffs in the other.
• Trusthorpe Springs Holiday Park grounds — Built around the Georgian, Grade II listed Trusthorpe Hall, the holiday park's grounds and gardens are worth a look even if you are not staying there, with its heated outdoor pool open to guests in summer.
• Mablethorpe seafront — Two miles north, Mablethorpe has the amusements, funfair, promenade and Animal Gardens that Trusthorpe itself lacks, making it an easy add-on for a day with children.
• Sutton-on-Sea — A short drive or cycle south, Sutton-on-Sea offers a gentler, more old-fashioned seaside town with a promenade, cliff gardens and independent shops.

Getting to Trusthorpe

Trusthorpe sits on the A52 coast road, roughly midway between Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea, about 12 miles north of Skegness and 30 miles east of Lincoln. By car, it is reached via the A16 and A1104 from Louth, or the A52 running along the coast. There is no railway station in the area — the nearest mainline stations are at Grimsby, Skegness or Lincoln, all around 30 miles away — so most visitors arrive by car. A limited local bus service connects Trusthorpe with Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea, and from there onward to Louth and Skegness.

Best time to visit Trusthorpe

Summer, from June to August, is the obvious time for a beach-focused break, when the caravan parks and the touring and camping pitches are in full swing and the sea is at its most inviting. Spring and early autumn are quieter and can bring good walking weather along the dunes without the school-holiday crowds. Winter is genuinely quiet, with many holiday park facilities closed for the season, but the wide, empty beach and big Lincolnshire skies have their own appeal for a bracing off-season walk.

Where to stay in Trusthorpe

Accommodation in Trusthorpe is dominated by holiday parks and caravan sites rather than hotels. Trusthorpe Springs Holiday Park, built around the historic Trusthorpe Hall, offers static holiday caravans for hire, touring pitches and a seasonal camping field, along with a swimming pool, licensed club and play areas. Several other caravan parks operate in and around the village, offering everything from static holiday homes to touring and camping pitches. For those wanting a hotel or guesthouse, the nearby towns of Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea have a wider choice, both within a couple of miles.

Food and drink in Trusthorpe

Trusthorpe is home to a handful of places to eat and drink, mostly geared towards the holiday parks. Dreams Bar, on the Trusville Holiday Estate, is a family-friendly pub and café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside regular entertainment such as bingo and karaoke. For a wider choice of pubs, cafés and restaurants, Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea are both a short drive away and offer a more varied selection, from traditional fish and chip shops to seafront cafés.