'Chapel' as most locals refer to it is a hybrid coastal village. I don't consider it a town - rather a fairly large village and when I say hybrid I mean that it is a mixture of a mini-Skegness with only a few amusement facilities together with a relatively unspoilt sandy beach.
There's a quirky, small, elongated face-each-other pub, converted from the old promenade toilets and it is rare in that you can sit in or just outside in the pretend galleon (ideal for children as well as their parents or guardians the latter of which can legally smoke there and have their dogs if they choose to) and look at the sea (and regrettably on clear days the wind turbines that extend eastwards to Skegness). The pub itself is called The Admiral Benbow and it is VERY dog-friendly in that not only are dogs allowed but dog treat food in many varieties are sold in the pub (as well as - in the summer season - crab sandwiches sourced from a nearby fresh crab fisherman's retail shop* on the small coast road). They (the pub) serve real ale too.
* 106A St.Leonard's Drive, Chapel St. Leonard's, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE24 5RA
THE FLAG @ The Admiral Benbow
When is the pub open? Well that's a bit harder to quote as their opening times are shorter than average hours - but you can, as you approach onto the promenade, see a flag on a flagpole and if it is lowered it is closed - but if flying high the pub is certainly open.
THE NORTH SEA OBSERVATORY
About half a mile west of the pub, towards, Anderby Creek is a brand new (opened rather later than planned - in August 2018) amazing, quite large and futuristic-looking building designed to look out to sea (including a Coast Watch point). The North Sea Observatory is really something to be proud of here in Lincolnshire!
I called-in on the very last day of its first art exhibition which had over 200 paintings and general exhibits that reflected all the fish species of The North Sea. All items were I believe for sale - either by auction or fixed price. Many were by unknown artists - some by known ones. There will be continuing exhibitions - the next of which, I understand is:
Victorian Childhood to WW11 (May Hill's amazing diaries & poetry) - free exhibition Sept 6th. - 16th. 10/4.30 p.m.
There is also a cafe within the observatory with fantastic sea and sand views. We ate there and, being honest, that day it was a little disappointing over silly things (my meal was missing one or two stated menu ingredients, many tables stood uncleared as if staffing was short, the delivery of my food went to the wrong table briefly, the queue direction signs were misleading and two queues formed etc. etc.). I am sure that they will get it right in due course and the location is fabulous. It is only open daytimes.
The opening of the iconic building was delayed as Second World War ordinance was found (including phosphorous bombs) along with bits and pieces of wartime vehicles and machinery which had been piled-up to aid sea defences.
The Time and Tide Bell Project
Linked to the art exhibition is a national project known as The Time and Tide Bell Project which will have (or already has) 'tide bells' located at many places around the mainland of Britain. During my recent visit (inside the art exhibition) I spoke at length to Biff Vernon (Director) of Lincolnshire Time and Tide Bell Community Interest Company and specific background information about what is behind this company is here.
I believe a bell is planned for Mablethorpe soon.
Websites of interest:
General information including opening hours of The Observatory, Chapel Point and the beach areas here.
Excellent and comprehensive information about the 'fish exhibition', The Observatory and a great deal more too here (- I recommend this website).
- Fancy a tour around The North Sea Observatory? See a friend's videos below (apologies for shaky hands but he was taking a small compact camera around about):
INTRODUCTION
SOME PICTURES
You can find out more about Chapel's crab and fresh/frozen fish/shellfish shop here.
If you have any questions about anything that I have placed in this post - please contact me.
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