Chapel St Leonards is a laid-back seaside village on the Lincolnshire coast, around five miles north of Skegness.
Expect long sandy beaches, big skies and easy coastal walks, without the crowds of the bigger resorts. If you like your seaside breaks calm and scenic, it is well worth a visit.
Chapel St Leonards at a Glance
| Quick fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, on the North Sea coast |
| Distance | About 5 miles north of Skegness, just north of Ingoldmells |
| Postcode | PE24 |
| Beach | Sand and shingle, with no lifeguard |
| Dogs | Banned 200 metres either side of the main pullover, 1 May to 30 September |
| Parking | Well Vale car park, close to the beach |
| Top attraction | North Sea Observatory (PE24 5XA), about a mile north of the village |
| Getting there | A52, plus local buses between Skegness and Mablethorpe |
Where Is Chapel St Leonards?
Chapel St Leonards (also written Chapel St. Leonards or Chapel Saint Leonards) is a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district.
According to Wikipedia, it sits just north of Ingoldmells, right beside the North Sea. The 2011 census recorded 3,384 residents, a number that swells in summer.
The village falls under the PE24 postcode and marks the southern edge of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park.
Getting here is simple. Follow the A52 from Skegness or Ingoldmells, or hop on one of the local buses that run along the coast between Skegness and Mablethorpe.
It is a short drive up the coast from Ingoldmells, which is why plenty of guests staying at Kingfisher Caravan Park make it an easy day out.
A Quick History of A Village Shaped by the Sea
The village takes its name from a chapel at nearby Mumby, dedicated to St Leonard.
According to Visit Lincolnshire, a storm in 1570 destroyed almost the whole village, including the church, which was rebuilt after flooding in 1572 and several times since.
Tourism arrived in the early twentieth century, when visitors came for the sea air and sandy beaches.
Things to Do in Chapel St Leonards
Walk the Beach
The main attraction is the long stretch of sand and shingle, which Visit Lincolnshire Coast describes as ideal for family walks.
Skegness is about six miles south along the shore, and Chapel Point is roughly a mile north.
The promenade has a pub, toilets, arcades and crazy golf close by, and Well Vale car park is a couple of minutes from the sand.
Two things to know before you go.
Dogs are banned from the beach and promenade 200 metres either side of the main pullover between 1 May and 30 September, but are welcome on the rest of the beach, and everywhere outside those dates.
There is also no lifeguard, so take extra care in the water and check tide times, as the sea can be a long way out.
If you are travelling with a dog, these dog-friendly beaches across Lincolnshire are worth a look too.
Visit the North Sea Observatory
A mile north of the village, the North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point opened in 2018 as the UK’s first purpose-built marine observatory.
Lincolnshire County Council says it has exhibitions on the area’s wildlife, plus a café and public toilets (the postcode is PE24 5XA if you are using a sat nav).
The Seascape Café has sweeping sea views and binoculars on hand, and it keeps its own opening hours, so check before you set off.
Nearby Chapel Pit attracts wildfowl in winter and roosting swallows and house martins in late summer.
Follow a Coastal Walk
The walk from the village to the observatory is about a mile and takes around 20 minutes, so it suits all ages.
For something longer, try the Chapel Point to Wolla Bank loop through the Coastal Country Park, which uses field paths, quiet roads and the beach and passes the Wolla Bank nature reserve.
In the village, the Inns on the Edge walk starts at The Green and takes in the pullover and promenade.
Plan a Family Day Out
Children are well catered for. Tractor rides and farm animals make Hardy’s Animal Farm a family favourite, and the seafront arcades and crazy golf cover the classic seaside afternoon.
If the weather turns, these rainy day ideas near Skegness are all an easy drive away.
Where to Eat, Drink and Shop
You won’t find a big restaurant scene in the village, but there are some good stops.
The Seascape Café serves a varied menu with daily specials, The Ship Inn is one of the village’s oldest pubs and began life as a beerhouse, and the Admiral Benbow beach bar is handy after a walk on the sand.
For more choice, Skegness and Ingoldmells are a short drive away, and dog-friendly pubs in Ingoldmells make an easy stop with a four-legged friend.
There is also a good selection of shops around The Green and along Sea Road, including a convenience store and a bakery, so you can pick up the essentials without driving anywhere.
For a bigger shop, head to Ingoldmells or Skegness.
Exploring Beyond Chapel St Leonards
Wolla Bank, the beach beside that nature reserve, is wide and peaceful, and Moggs Eye Beach (also known as Huttoft Beach) is popular with dog walkers, including plenty of our own guests at Kingfisher.
Head south and Ingoldmells is livelier, with plenty of attractions in Ingoldmells to choose from. Skegness is a short drive further, and there are lots of free things to do in Skegness if you are watching the pennies.
Unusual Things to Do Near Chapel St Leonards
The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is home to some quirky attractions.
At Anderby Creek, the Cloud Bar is a small raised platform with mirrors, cloud-spotting seats and a menu that helps you identify what is drifting overhead.
It opened in 2009 and was named the world’s first official cloudspotting area by the Cloud Appreciation Society.
Close by, the Round and Round House is a bird hide on top of the dunes with views out to sea and across to the Lincolnshire Wolds, and the Sound Tower at Chapel Six Marshes is a sail-shaped sculpture that amplifies the sound of the wind.
When to Visit and What the Weather Is Like
Summer is the busiest and warmest season, with long daylight hours, a lively seafront and the best chance of a paddle. Sea breezes keep hot days comfortable, but it can feel blustery on the sand even in July, so a windbreak is worth packing.
Spring and autumn are quieter and ideal for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers. Days can be bright and crisp, though showers and a chilly wind off the North Sea are common, so layers help.
Winter brings dramatic skies, near-empty beaches and wildfowl on the pits. It is cold and exposed on the sea wall, so wrap up well.
The weather on this coast can change quickly in any season, so check the forecast and tide times before you set off.
It is one reason a caravan break works so well here: you can switch plans with the weather and head back to a cosy base at Kingfisher afterwards.
Come for the Beach, Stay for the Big Skies
Chapel St Leonards offers quiet beaches, easy walks and wildlife on a coast that still feels unhurried.
Whether you come for an afternoon or settle in for a week, it deserves a spot on your list. Want to see what else is nearby? Explore the villages near Skegness and plan your next coastal escape.
