Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Skegness leads families straight to Natureland Seal Sanctuary, a wonderful family-run wildlife attraction located on the Lincolnshire coast. This beloved animal sanctuary is famous worldwide for rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured seal pups. Visitors can spend hours exploring the open-air pools, indoor animal exhibits, and interactive feeding displays in a relaxed seaside setting.
Standard admission prices start from £13.50 for adults (aged 16 and over) and £10.50 for children aged three to 15, with infants aged two and under entering completely free of charge. Family tickets covering two adults and two children are available online for £43.20.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines wildlife rescue with close-up animal encounters, this coastal sanctuary offers fantastic value. Its accessible pathways, charming animal houses, and engaging feeding talks make it a top choice for a memorable weekend family trip.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Skegness Pier: A traditional seaside entertainment hub featuring indoor arcades and family activities located a short walk down the coast.
- Skegness Beach: Expansive sandy stretches situated right along the doorstep for traditional bucket-and-spade family fun.
- Tower Gardens: Tranquil public park space featuring green lawns and water features nearby.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently highlight the friendly, intimate size of the sanctuary, which makes it easy to navigate with young children without exhaustion.
- Children love watching the playful seal pups in the rearing pool and hand-feeding the animals in Pets Corner.
- The daily keeper talks are praised for being engaging, educational, and fun for all ages.
- Visitors appreciate supporting a genuine wildlife rescue charity through their ticket purchases.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Some reviewers note that the attraction can get busy during peak afternoon hours in the summer school holidays.
- Catering areas can experience short queue times during peak lunch rushes.
- Certain indoor exhibit spaces are compact on rainy weekend days.
- Parking spaces right outside can fill up quickly during peak coastal holiday periods.
Sanctuary Attractions and Habitats:
- Seal Hospital & Rearing Pool: Active rescue and medical rehabilitation zone for seal pups.
- Resident Seal Pools: Permanent home for adult seals that cannot be returned to the wild.
- Penguin Enclosure: Open-air pool and viewing deck for Humboldt penguins.
- Pets Corner: Interactive farm animal feeding zone featuring goats and alpacas.
- Tropical Butterfly House: Warm indoor glasshouse with diverse butterfly species.
- Reptile House: Specialized habitat housing snakes, lizards, and amphibians.
- Aquarium: Marine display featuring tropical fish and aquatic life.
- Floral Palace: Relaxing indoor floral greenhouse area with seating.
- Outdoor Children's Play Area: Safe play structure for younger children.
- Gift Shop & Cafe: On-site retail hub and family eatery.
New for 2026:
- Updated Rescue Display Boards: Newly installed educational panels highlighting recent seal release milestones and marine conservation efforts.
- Refurbished Garden Walkways: Upgraded paving sections ensuring smooth pushchair access across the floral and animal zones.
- Enhanced Outdoor Seating: Newly positioned family rest benches near the primary animal exhibits and cafe terrace.
15.28 miles
