Donna Nook, near Louth, Lincolnshire
Donna Nook National Nature Reserve
Coastal reserve
Place photograph
8.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Wild
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.0Each late autumn, grey seals come ashore on this Lincolnshire coast to give birth among the dunes. Donna Nook’s seasonal colony turns a quiet stretch of coastline into one of the UK’s best-known places to watch seal pups.
A broad coastal reserve with a remarkable seasonal wildlife event: in November and December, grey seals gather here to pup beside the dunes. The spectacle is compelling, but it depends on timing; check current access and seal-season arrangements before setting out.
Wild · Atmospheric · Seasonal
Find your way
Open mapDonna Nook, near Louth, Lincolnshire
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Come for the coastal landscape at any time of year, or plan around the seasonal seal viewing area, which usually operates from late October to early January depending on seal numbers. Follow current reserve guidance and keep to permitted viewing areas; the reserve also contains a Ministry of Defence bombing range.
Things to do
Watch the grey seal colony
During the seasonal viewing period, observe grey seals and pups from the designated viewing area. Check current opening and access information first; do not approach seals outside permitted viewing areas.
1–2 hours
Explore the coastal reserve
Take in the reserve’s dune and coastal setting. Check local safety notices: parts of Donna Nook are maintained as a bombing target range, and the bombing area must not be entered when red flags are flying.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: watch the seal colony
- 01
Check the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s current Donna Nook information and weekly seal count before setting off.
- 02
Follow the current directions and parking arrangements for the seasonal viewing area.
- 03
Watch the grey seals from the designated viewing area and follow reserve guidance.
- 04
Leave dogs away from the seal viewing area and do not enter any bombing-range area when red flags are flying.
Verified history
The supplied reserve information describes Donna Nook as a stretch of coastline of more than 10 km, between Grainthorpe Haven in the north and Saltfleet in the south, where it borders Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve. It also records that part of the area remains a Ministry of Defence bombing target range.
Hidden details
A long coastal reserve — Donna Nook extends for more than 10 km of coastline, from Grainthorpe Haven to Saltfleet, where it meets Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve.
A working safety boundary — Part of the area is still used as a Ministry of Defence bombing target range. Red flags mean the bombing area must not be entered.
When to go
November · December · Dawn to dusk during the seasonal viewing-area opening period; check current arrangements before travelling.
Grey seals come to the Donna Nook coastline to give birth in November and December. The viewing area is seasonal, generally opening from late October to early January depending on seal numbers.
This is an exposed coastal setting. Check the forecast and current reserve notices before travelling; no specific weather restrictions are stated in the supplied source.
Worth pairing with
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve
Donna Nook borders this neighbouring coastal nature reserve at Saltfleet. Check its current visitor information separately before planning a visit.
What to look for
In seal season, look for grey seals and pups along the coastline from the designated viewing area. Away from the seasonal viewing period, notice the changing coastal landscape of dunes, saltmarsh and shoreline.
Best time to go
Late October to December for the seasonal seal viewing area; grey seals are reported on the coast in November and December.
For the seal viewing area, plan for late October to December and check the reserve’s current seasonal information before travelling. The viewing area and facilities operate dawn to dusk when open.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The reserve is open all year. Most of the dune area is accessible, but parts are a Ministry of Defence bombing range: never enter the bombing area when red flags are flying. The seal viewing area is seasonal and has separate access arrangements.
Parking
A free Stonebridge car park with limited disabled parking bays is available January to October. During seal season, parking arrangements vary: check the reserve information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
During seal season, portaloos, including an accessible toilet, are available in the main field car park. At other times, the nearest toilets are in North Somercotes.
Food & drink
Private catering may be available in both car parks during seal season, depending on visitor numbers. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted on the seal viewing area.
Accessibility
The reserve source describes easy access to the viewing area from Stonebridge car park. It has limited disabled parking; on busy seal-season weekends, Stonebridge is signposted for blue badge holders only. Check current arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Sea, saltmarsh
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Donna Nook National Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
