England, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Cleethorpes – The Five Minute Spare Guide

Cleethorpes – The Five Minute Spare Guide
no comments

Cleethorpes is a town and seaside resort, which along with Grimsby, forms the North East Lincolnshire conurbation. The town is situated on the east coast of England, just south of the Humber Estuary. It’s about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Grimsby, 17 miles (27 km) southeast of Hull, and 26 miles (42 km) east of Scunthorpe. Cleethorpes and its inhabitants are often referred to as ‘Meggies’ by residents of the surrounding area. At the 2011 national census, the town had a recorded population of 39,505.

A Fleeting History

Whilst there are Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in the Cleethorpes area, archaeological evidence suggests that permanent occupation did not occur until the 6th century. However, the small fishing hamlet of Clee did not develop as a settlement of any note until after invasion by the Viking Danes in the 9th century. The name ‘Clee’ is derived from a description of the area’s soil type as it’s an Old Celtic word for ‘clay’.

Following the Norman invasion of 1066, the manor of Clee was granted to Bishop Odo of Bayeux, the half-brother of William of Conqueror. The settlements of Clee, Thrunscoe and Itterby are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. An Old Norse word for hamlet or village was ‘thorpe’. Thus, when the thorpes of Itterby, Oule and Thrunscoe, merged with Clee to become a single settlement, it took the name of ‘Cleethorpes’. The Holy Trinity church was founded in the village of Cleethorpes in 1192. However, for the next six centuries, much like its neighbour of Grimsby, not too much happened in and around the Cleethorpes area. This is borne out by the fact that in 1801, the time of the first national census, Cleethorpes only had a population of 284.

The 1800s Growth Spurt

The 1820s saw Cleethorpes begin to develop as a seaside resort when sea-bathing suddenly became popular due to it being heavily promoted across the country as being essential for good health. However, the town itself proceeded to grow relatively slowly, such that by 1831 the population was still only 497. In 1858, a coastguard station was established near Beaconthorpe. In April 1863, Cleethorpes train station opened, when the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company extended the line from Grimsby to the town. The company also built the folly of Ross Castle as a tourist attraction, which was the mock ruin of an ancient stronghold. By 1871, the population of Cleethorpes had risen quite dramatically to reach 4,017.

In 1872, the Teeside based heavy engineering company Head Wrightson began the construction of Cleethorpes Pier at a cost of around £8000. In 1873, the impressive 1200 ft (365 m) pier was officially opened on the August Bank Holiday. In 1885, the construction of a new promenade adjacent to the pier was completed. And, in 1898, a concert hall was added to the pier.

The Cleethorpes Improvement Act

The Cleethorpes Improvement Act of 1902 saw four acres of foreshore being reclaimed by the construction of a 2000 ft (610 m) long and 18 ft (5.5 m) high seawall. However, in 1903, the pier was completely destroyed by a huge fire. In 1905, the pier was rebuilt with a pavilion replacing the concert hall at the pier head. By 1906, Kingsway Gardens and an extension to the promenade had been built, with Sea Bank Road being renamed Kingsway.

During WWI, two strongholds; Haile Sands Fort and Bull Fort, were built just off Cleethorpes in the mouth of the Humber Estuary. The forts were to protect the area against attacks from Germany naval forces. The work began almost immediately following the outbreak of war in the August of 1914 and took around three years to complete. An enormous building project of the time, up to 40,000 tons of concrete and steel went into the construction of each structure. The fortifications were around 80 ft (25 m) in diameter and stood 50 ft (15 m) above the high water level. They were intended to billet a fully armed garrison of some 200 men. The construction work cost around £2 million, which would be approximately £230 million today (2020).

In 1922, Cleethorpes’ town boundaries were extended to include part of Humberston, and in 1927, the Beacon Hill area. In 1928, ‘The Bathing Pool’ opened, being the largest resource of its kind on the east coast. In 1936, Cleethorpes was granted a charter of incorporation to become a municipal borough.

WWII

During WWII, Cleethorpes fell victim to five separate bombings incidents by the Luftwaffe. Three of those occurred in 1941 and two in 1943, which resulted in a total of 98 people losing their lives. Measures to combat a possible sea invasion by the enemy were also taken during the conflict. One such initiative was to remove the middle section of the town’s pier. After the war, a cash-strapped Government could not afford to replace the missing section of the structure. This resulted in the isolated offshore section of the pier eventually being demolished, leaving the current 355ft structure that stands today.



The Modern Era

Under the Government Reorganisation Act of 1972, saw the ‘Borough of Cleethorpes’, within the new county of Humberside, created. However, the County of Humberside was abolished in 1996, which then saw Cleethorpes and Grimsby borough councils merge to form the unitary authority of North East Lincolnshire.

Cleethorpes’ economy is obviously tied with its North East Lincolnshire authority partners, especially Grimsby, but it obviously also has a focus on tourism. Thus, the bustling town centre boasts quite a diverse range of bespoke shops, together with large chain retail outlets and a variety of small businesses. St. Peters Avenue, with the adjacent Market Place and High Street, forms the main shopping area. However, Freshney Place Shopping Centre is also home to more than 100 shops, cafes and restaurants.

There are a number of places across the country where the annual Armed Forces Day is celebrated, with Cleethorpes being one such location. The festivities take place over several days in late June but Saturday is always the main event. The air show held during Armed Forces Day (AFD) can attract up to 200,000 visitors to Cleethorpes and is the resort’s biggest annual event. However, the ‘Sounds of the Summer Festival’ is another big weekend in Cleethorpes which takes place at the Meridian Show Ground around mid-July and attracts some of the biggest names in the music business. Another big event is the Cleethorpe’s Jazz Festival which takes place at various venues across the town in late September.

Cleethorpes Air Show

*Cleethorpes Air Show occurs in late June as part of AFD Image: ShaunWilkinson/Shutterstock.com

What’s in a name?

People within the locality of Cleethorpes often refer colloquially to the town and its inhabitants as ‘Meggies’. The reason why is not abundantly clear but there are several schools of thought on the subject. One story passed down through the generations relates to the premise that the town’s Isaac’s Hill, was once a small fishing hamlet called Meg’s Island. Thus, those born on or above the hill were often referred to as a ‘Meggie’. A second theory says that a ‘Meggie’ was the term given by locals to the cost of the tram fare between Grimsby and Cleethorpes. A third opinion theorises that the term ‘Meggie’ has its origins in the military. It’s said that at the end of the 19th century there was a local commander of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment called Captain H W Meggitt. Thus, the volunteers from Cleethorpes adopted the term ‘Meggie’ to distinguish themselves from the Yellow Bellies (or Yeller Bellies) of the Regiment, who originated from Lincolnshire’s Fenland areas.

Getting To Cleethorpes

So you fancy a bit of seaside therapy on your visit to North East Lincolnshire? Well, let us help by telling you how to get here.

By Road

From the south, you should leave the A1 at Newark and then follow the A46 all the way to Cleethorpes. Alternatively, from the M1, take the M18 and head north past Doncaster to the M180. Then head eastwards passing Scunthorpe and the Humber Bridge until you reach the A180, which takes you to Grimsby. Make the short journey to the town along Peaks Parkway (A16). From the north, join the M62 and head east to the M18. Journey south on the M81 until you reach the M180, then follow as mentioned above.

By Train

Cleethorpes, not unsurprisingly, is the terminus station on the Sheffield-Cleethorpes Line operated by Northern. TransPennine Express train services run an hourly service, via Grimsby, to Manchester Airport (South TransPennine) and Newark-on-Trent. Northern also operate a regular service to Barton-upon-Humber.

By Bus

National Express coach services run daily from London Victoria, on route to Hull. There are also daily services from Cornwall, via Taunton, Bristol, Birmingham, Leicester and Newark,

By Air

Humberside Airport is 16 miles (26 km) west of Cleethorpes but has very few scheduled flights. A shuttle bus service operates between Cleethorpes and the Airport. Manchester International Airport is 130 miles (208 km) from Cleethorpes but well connected by train (see above). Average journey time is about 3 hours, changing at Manchester Piccadilly

 

Things to see and do!

Some of the recommended things to see and do in and around Cleethorpes are:

  • Cleethorpes Beach – is 4.5 miles of flat, broad sands, that is backed by a promenade. You’ll find all the usual fun seaside things there, such as donkey rides, paddle boarding, amusement arcades, etc.
  • Ross Castle – is a folly in the guise of an ancient castle. It was built in 1863 as a tourist attraction following the arrival of the railway. Situated near the pier, there are fantastic views from the Castle across the Humber.
  • Cleethorpes Pier – was originally built in 1873 at a length of 1200 ft (366 m), though largely reconstructed in 1905. Today, the much-reduced pier (see above) still features a refurbished Pavilion, which houses a ‘Papas fish and chip shop, restaurant, tea room, bar and function room.
  • Cleethorpes Discovery Centre – is situated on the shore of the Boating Lake. The Centre has two-floors, which are mostly dedicated to housing exhibitions on the history of the town. It also has a variety of shows that feature both local and nationally known artists.
  • The Meridian Plate – indicates the Greenwich Meridian line which just happens to pass through Cleethorpes as it traverses the globe from north to south. There’s a metal plate that’s been set into the coastal path to indicate the exact location. It’s just behind Pleasure Island Theme Park so you should have no problem finding it.
  • The Jungle Zoo – is situated close to the boating lake. Aimed at children, the zoo features a collection of innocuous animals, such as has ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, capuchin monkeys and pygmy goats. There are also a number of both domestic and exotic birds as well as a few engaging reptiles. Each day sees a timetable of feeding sessions, keepers’ talks and demonstrations.
  • Cleethorpes Boating Lake – is actually two lakes joined by a narrow channel. The north lake is used by fishing and model boat enthusiasts. At the south lake you can rent out a pedal boat or rowing boat during the summer months.
Cleethorpes Pier

Cleethorpes Pier and Beach

Out And About

  • Waltham Windmill – was built in 1880, and is a six-sailed, brick-built, still working windmill – one of a few of such type in the UK. There’s also a museum dedicated to local rural life. It’s open to the public at weekends from Easter to September and daily in school holidays, 10 am – 4 pm. It’s situated about 5 miles southeast of Cleethorpes.
  • Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway – was built in 1948. Trains on the miniature railway make 45-minute return journeys throughout the day from March to September, stopping at its three stations. There’s a pub, cafe and gift shop at the Lakeside Central station.

Sport In Cleethorpes

Football

Cleethorpes Town FC currently (2020/21) plays its football in the Northern Premier League; Division 1 (South East). Nicknamed the Owls, the club plays home games at Linden Club in Grimsby. The team was established in 1998 as the ‘Lincolnshire Soccer School’, only adopting its current name in 2008. Grimsby Town also technically play in the town given their ground is her, at Blundell Park.

Rugby

Cleethorpes RUFC’s first XV currently (202o/21) plays in Midlands 4 East (North) League. Nicknamed ‘The Meggies’, the club plays its home games at Taylor’s Avenue.

Notable People From Cleethorpes

A few notable people who were born in, or have a connection to Cleethorpes, include:

  • **World renowned actor John Hurt died in 2017

    Patrick Wymark (1926 – 1970) was a renowned stage, film and television actor of the 1960s. He was born on 11 July 1926 in Cleethorpes, being christened Patrick Carl Cheeseman. He died suddenly in Melbourne, Australia in October 1970 following a heart attack, aged only 44.

  • John Hurt (1940 – 2017 ) – was a world-renowned stage, tv and film actor, whose career spanned more than 50 years. He lived in Cleethorpes as a teen, attending Grimsby Art School during the late 1950s.
  • Patricia Hodge, OBE  – is a renowned actress of stage and screen, whose career stretches back to the early 1970s. She was born in Cleethorpes in September 1946.
  • Michele Dotrice – is a TV and film actress, whose career began when she was a child in the early 1960s. She is best known for her role as Betty Spencer, the long-suffering wife of the hapless Frank Spencer, in the hugely popular 1970s BBC sitcom ”Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em”.

Did you know?

  • Cleethorpes lies directly on the Greenwich Meridian. There’s a steel plate that marks the exact location (see: Things to see and do!)
  • It is twinned with Königswinter, Germany.
  • Cleethorpes has one of the lowest recorded average annual rainfalls throughout the British Isles.
  • The Signal Box Inn at the Lakeside Central Station for the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway is said to be the smallest pub in the world. It can seat just 4 customers.
  • Papas fish and chip shop on the Pier is reputed to the biggest in the world.
  • On 22 September 1956, at around 3 pm, a UFO was sighted off the coast at Cleethorpes. Reportedly visible for about an hour, it was also tracked by radar at nearby RAF Manby.
 The Smallest Pub In North East Lincolnshire

The Signal Box Inn – is reputedly the smallest pub in the world Image: LizCoughlan /Shutterstock.com

Where to stay?

Accommodation in and around Cleethorpes is as competitive as you’ll find anywhere in the country. A rough guide to prices per night for 2 adults sharing:

Guesthouse/Inn/ B&B/Lodge: £40 – 60

Hotel: £60 – 90

Luxury Hotel: £90 – 130

Thinking of moving here?

Thinking of moving to Cleethorpes? Properties in Cleethorpes have sold for an overall average price of £146,100 over the last 12 months (Nov 2020). Terraced houses were the best selling property type in the town last year, selling for an average price of £100,000. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £158,600, while detached properties fetched £252,000. Cleethorpes property prices are up an average of 6% for this 12 months when compared to the previous year.

 

Photo credit: **Everett Collection/^LizCoughlan /Shutterstock.com

Skip to toolbar