Discover Skegness Pier: Your Ultimate Family Fun Guide

Few places on the Lincolnshire coast capture the classic British seaside experience quite like Skegness Pier. Whether you're here for a family holiday, a day trip, or you’re lucky enough to live nearby, the Pier is one of those “must-do” attractions that people of all ages flock to year after year. It mixes history with modern attractions, giving you everything from arcades and soft-play to climbing walls, laser tag, bowling and a summer beach bar overlooking the sea.

This guide walks you through each major attraction in detail so you can plan the perfect visit — whether you want thrills, relaxation, indoor fun, or a full family activity day.

Skegness Pier originally opened in the 1880s and, although it’s shorter today than it once was, it remains a central hub of entertainment and one of the best-loved spots on the seafront. The moment you step onto the boardwalk, you get that unmistakable seaside buzz: the smell of fish and chips, the hum of arcades, the sound of seagulls, kids laughing, and families planning out their next activity.

It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting in the height of summer or during a crisp winter weekend — the Pier always has something going on. And with most attractions indoors, it’s the perfect place to escape the unpredictable British weather.

Let’s dive into the attractions that make Skegness Pier such a brilliant place to spend the day.

Skegness Pier Escape Rooms

The escape rooms are one of the Pier’s most popular newer additions, and for good reason — they’re immersive, clever, and perfect for groups. If you've never done an escape room before, the concept is simple: you and your team have 60 minutes to solve puzzles, search for clues, and work together to break out of a themed room before the time runs out.

Each room is designed to challenge your creativity and logic without being frustrating. Families love them because kids often spot clues adults miss, and couples enjoy them as an out-of-the-ordinary date idea. Even work groups use them for team-building because they naturally push you to communicate, cooperate and problem-solve together.

Expect plenty of laughs, a few “aha!” moments, and at least one time where you think you’re stuck but someone suddenly finds the missing clue behind something unexpected. It’s good fun, weather-proof, and just the right level of difficulty — a highlight if you enjoy interactive experiences rather than just passive attractions.

Skegness Pier Bowling

The Pier’s ten-pin bowling centre has a charm of its own. As you step into the ten-lane bowling centre, you get a warm, buzzing atmosphere perfect for families, teens or even adults wanting something nostalgic and light-hearted. The lanes are modern, well-kept and suitable for all ages, plus there are barriers available for younger players or those of us who still can’t bowl in a straight line.

What makes bowling on Skegness Pier especially appealing is that it feels like the classic seaside “family outing” — one of those activities where everyone can join in, no matter their skill level. Kids love it, grandparents can get involved, and adults get surprisingly competitive once someone bowls their first strike.

It’s also an ideal rainy-day backup plan. If the weather turns, heading inside for an hour or two of bowling keeps the day upbeat and fun, and because you pay per game or by session, it’s easy to squeeze into any trip.

Bowling is also one of the more affordable activities on the Pier, and there are often family packages or off-peak prices that make it a great-value choice.

Skegness Pier Clip ’n’ Climb

Clip ’n’ Climb is without doubt one of the most exciting attractions on the Pier — especially if you’re looking for something energetic and different. Picture a bright, colourful climbing arena with a whole range of themed walls, each designed with different shapes, grips and challenges.

Everything is harnessed and managed by friendly staff, so you don’t need any climbing experience at all. That’s part of the beauty of Clip ’n’ Climb: kids can have a go, adults can join in, and everyone gets to try something active that still feels like play rather than exercise.

If you enjoy a bit of adrenaline, there are usually a couple of standout walls or challenges that take a bit more nerve — the kind where you hesitate for a second, heart racing, then go for it and feel brilliant afterwards.

Sessions normally include a safety briefing followed by a good chunk of climbing time. It’s structured but fun, and the whole attraction is totally indoors, making it a guaranteed winner whatever the weather.

Captain Kids – Soft-Play Fun

For families with younger children, Captain Kids is the go-to attraction. It’s a large indoor soft-play world filled with colourful slides, padded obstacles, tunnels and climbing frames. Kids love how much there is to explore and how much space they have to run wild, and parents love that it’s secure, warm and easy to supervise. It can be a great way to keep children entertained on rainy days at the seaside!

The toddler area is a huge help too — it means the littlest visitors have their own safe, quiet space without getting swept into the main play frame. Everything is clean, well-staffed and sensibly laid out, so even on busy days there’s plenty of room for children to play safely.

The adjoining coffee lounge is a godsend. You can sit with a hot drink or snack while keeping an eye on the action, which is perfect for those moments when you need a breather while the kids still want to keep going.

It’s also one of the best-value activities on the Pier, especially considering how long younger children tend to play for before they even think about stopping.

 

Laser Quest Skegness

If you’ve got older children, teens or adults in your group, Laser Quest is guaranteed to be a hit. It’s high-energy, competitive, and full of that retro-futuristic feel that makes laser tag such a timeless activity.

You’ll enter a darkened, neon-lit arena where you team up or go head-to-head, darting between obstacles and walls while trying to tag opponents with your laser beam. The environment feels immersive enough to make you forget you’re inside a pier attraction — all the glowing lights, smoke effects and music add to the excitement.

It’s one of those activities where people come out slightly sweaty, slightly out of breath and massively hyped up. Perfect for families with teenagers, groups of friends or adults wanting something nostalgic and silly.

Laser Quest sessions are typically short but intense — ideal if you’re building a multi-attraction day and want to fit lots in.

Skegness Pier Arcade

No British pier would be complete without an arcade — and Skegness Pier’s arcade is a brilliant mix of old and new. Expect flashing lights, chiming machines, plush toys, ticket counters, air hockey, racing games, 2p pushers, and everything in between.

There’s something distinctly comforting about stepping into the arcade after coming in from the sea air. It’s warm, colourful, noisy in the best way, and full of families trying to win tickets, grab toys or beat each other’s high scores.

For kids, the ticket redemption machines are the big draw — that moment where they gather up their ticket trail and excitedly head to the counter is part of the classic seaside experience. For adults, the nostalgia of the retro games and the lighthearted competition makes it great fun.

The arcade is one of those places where you can spend ten minutes or two hours without noticing — ideal as a spontaneous stop or a longer play session.

Playa at the Pier

During the warmer months, Playa at the Pier becomes the social heart of the seafront. It’s a stylish outdoor terrace space with a beach-club feel — comfy seating, sunny deck areas, loungers, and a great view over the sea.

Playa tends to offer cocktails, drinks, music and a relaxed holiday atmosphere, making it a lovely place to unwind after a busy day of attractions. Families use it as a chill-out zone; couples treat it as a date spot; groups of friends come for the sunset drinks.

On peak summer days, the whole area feels lively and upbeat, and in the evenings it’s a wonderful place to watch the light fade over the coastline. For visitors who want the perfect Skegness photo backdrop, Playa at the Pier is where you’ll find it.

 

Why Skegness Pier Should Be on Your Itinerary

Skegness Pier stands out because it offers so much variety in one place. You can build an entire day around it or dip in and out while exploring the wider seafront.

Here’s why it’s a must-visit:

• All-weather fun – Most attractions are indoors.

• Perfect for all ages – From toddlers to adults, everyone has something to enjoy.

• Good value options – Activity bundles, family deals and flexible pricing.

• Central seafront location – Easy to reach, close to shops, the beach and other attractions.

• A blend of tradition and modern entertainment – Classic arcade meets climbing walls and escape rooms.

• A place to make memories – Whether you’re visiting every summer or it’s your first time, there’s something special about it.

The Pier isn’t just an attraction — it’s a core part of Skegness life and culture.

 

Practical Tips for Visiting

• Opening times vary by attraction, especially outside peak season — worth checking before you travel.

• You can walk onto the pier for free — you only pay for the attractions you choose.

• It’s pushchair-friendly, and most attractions are easily accessible.

• Parking is available along the seafront and nearby streets - check out our full guide to parking in Skegness.

• Group bookings and birthday parties are available for bowling, Laser Quest, Captain Kids and more.

 

Final Thoughts

From escape rooms and ten-pin bowling to climbing walls and laser tag, Skegness Pier is packed with things to do for families looking for all-weather fun. It’s vibrant in summer, cosy in winter and always full of that classic seaside spirit that Skegness is known for.

If you’re building your itinerary for a day out in Skegness, the Pier deserves a solid place at the top of your list.