NT Sandilands

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NT Sandilands National Trust Sandilands is a restored coastal landscape where former fairways have become wildlife-rich wetlands. It helps us to learn and grow.
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Open, accessible and peaceful, it’s a place for birds, nature and people to thrive together. Sandilands is a coastal landscape transformed. Once a former golf course, this special place has been reimagined by the National Trust in partnership with Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park as a nature-rich haven for wildlife and people alike. What were once manicured fairways are now a vibrant mosaic of wetlands and coastal habitats, carefully designed to support both migrating and breeding birds. Already, species such as black-tailed godwits, spoonbills and lapwings are beginning to make Sandilands their home, a wonderful sign of nature returning. The wetlands are open to the public, with improved accessibility helping more people to explore, pause and connect with this changing landscape. Whether you’re enjoying a gentle walk, watching birds from the paths, or simply taking time to breathe in the open coastal air, Sandilands offers space for wellbeing, reflection and discovery. Cared for by National Trust, Sandilands is becoming a place where nature and people can thrive together, a peaceful coastal gem, protected for everyone, for ever. Welcome to the official page for the National Trust Sandilands. We make sure we're available to respond to your comments and queries between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday. And sometimes we'll check in at the weekend because we've missed you :) Got a membership enquiry? Please email: [email protected]

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Our wild birds need us.UK bird populations are at their lowest levels since records began.Sea birds are among those hard...
19/10/2026

Our wild birds need us.

UK bird populations are at their lowest levels since records began.

Sea birds are among those hardest hit.

Climate change is reshaping our world and habitats are disappearing.

But there is hope.

With your support we’ve transformed a former golf course into a thriving nature reserve.

Which is now a new home for wildlife and a vital refuge for birds along one of the UK’s most important migration routes.

Since its transformation, little ringed plovers and avocets have successfully nested and more and more birds are being sighted.

But, we cannot restore nature without working together.

Show your support by liking or sharing this post and search ‘National Trust Sandilands’ to find out more.

Lightwaves is coming to Sandilands this Saturday Join us on Saturday 17 October for a magical experience celebrating lig...
12/10/2026

Lightwaves is coming to Sandilands this Saturday

Join us on Saturday 17 October for a magical experience celebrating light, creativity and our beautiful Lincolnshire coast.

Spaces before 7pm are limited, so don’t miss out.

Booking is essential, so book your FREE tickets online today: nationaltrust.org.uk/sandilands

Lightwaves is organised by Story Tellers and has been developed with SessionsArts with support from the East Lindsey's Arts Council England-funded NPO programme.

05/10/2026

This World Habitat Day, explore Sandilands Nature Reserve through the eyes of Nature Conservation Adviser Carl Hawke, whose vision helped transform the site into a thriving home for nature – both now and for generations to come.

Take three minutes to discover how habitats have been created and restored at Sandilands, the wildlife you might spot on your visit, and the different areas waiting to be explored.

And keep an eye out for Hawke’s Hide. Now you know a little more about the person behind the name.

Filmed and edited by Samuel Joseph Renton.

Sandilands Nature Reserve is not only a home for nature but a place for everyone to explore and enjoy. Influence Landsca...
03/10/2026

Sandilands Nature Reserve is not only a home for nature but a place for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Influence Landscape Planning & Design served as the lead consultant and landscape architect for the creation of the nature reserve, bringing the Lincolnshire coastal vision into reality.

“Sandilands Nature Reserve demonstrates the power of landscape-led design. The transformation from golf course to thriving wetland has captured public imagination because it combines four issues people care deeply about: restoring nature, tackling climate change, increasing access to the outdoors and creating lasting benefits for local communities.

It shows that landscape is not simply a setting for development; it is the natural infrastructure that underpins resilient places, supports biodiversity and improves people’s quality of life.

Sandilands is a compelling example of how landscape architects help shape a future where nature and people can thrive together.” Shona Hatton, Director, Influence Landscape Planning & Design.

Photo credit: Drone footage by John Miller at National Trust Images, Boardwalks by Samuel Joseph Renton and Skylarks by Richard Weremczuk.

25/09/2026

Last sneak peak of the new Flyway Café before a weekend of activities to celebrate the grand opening!

Join us in the new community space at the on the 26 September to help design flags and light art inspired by the birds and wildlife that visit the Lincolnshire Coast.

The workshop is suitable for all ages and is run by . Your creations will be incorporated into a piece of light art which will be premiered at the Lightwaves Sandilands event on Saturday 17 October.

On Sunday 27 September at 10am - 11am, get stuck into the Great British Beach Clean and help us protect the local marine life.

Cheri and her team have been working really hard at the new café and will be open 10am - 4pm over the weekend.

For more information visit the National Trust website and search ‘Sandilands’.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

The past week has brought a wonderful variety of visitors to the reserve, from three Common Sandpipers and a hunting Sho...
23/09/2026

The past week has brought a wonderful variety of visitors to the reserve, from three Common Sandpipers and a hunting Short-eared Owl on the 16 September, to impressive flocks of waders including Ruff, Dunlin, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank.

Highlights included a Little Gull, Curlew, Little Egret, Water Rail and Stonechat, while the wetlands also welcomed Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck and Tufted Duck.

Out on the coast, a Turnstone was spotted at the Outfall and a Great Crested Grebe drifted on the sea.

On the 22 September, visitors were treated to another excellent day of wildlife watching, with 18 Long-tailed T**s moving through the reserve alongside Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper and Little Grebe.

Every week brings something new to discover at Sandilands, making it a fantastic time to pause, look a little closer and enjoy the spectacle of migrating birds finding refuge along our coastline.

Have you spotted any autumn arrivals during your visit? Let us know in the comments below.

1. Black-tailed Godwits captured by Richard Weremczuk.
2 - 4. Stonechat, Water rail and Spotted Redshank captured by Ian Thompson.

We’ve created a place for birds to stop and refuel on their journey…now there’s a place for you to do the same! Dough & ...
14/09/2026

We’ve created a place for birds to stop and refuel on their journey…now there’s a place for you to do the same!

Dough & Barley at The Flyway will be opening its doors at the end of the month and we can’t wait for you to see it 👀

09/09/2026

Sandilands’ community wings are nearly ready to take flight!

Thank you to everyone who helped bring the community artwork to life.

Thousands of feathers have been beautifully decorated by local schools, community groups and individuals from across the local area.

Each feather tells its own story, bringing together the creativity, ideas and voices of people across the community.

Together, they form a giant pair of wings that symbolise nature, community and Sandilands.

Thank you to every person who took the time to contribute and become part of this special project.

The wings will be on display at the opening weekend on the 26 - 27 September in the visitor hub inside the Flyway Café.

September is going to be busy, as the Flyway Café and community space officially opens at the end of the month. In the m...
07/09/2026

September is going to be busy, as the Flyway Café and community space officially opens at the end of the month.

In the meantime, explore the reserve with the weekly wellness walks every Monday in September from 10am - 12 noon.

Join us in the new community space at the Dough & Barley at The Flyway on the 26 September to help design flags and light art inspired by the birds and wildlife that visit the Lincolnshire Coast.

The workshop is suitable for all ages and is ran by Lumo Workshop. Your creations will be incorporated into a piece of light art which will be premiered at the Lightwaves Sandilands event on Saturday 17 October.

On Sunday 27 September at 10am - 11am, get stuck into the Great British Beach Clean and help us protect the local marine life.

For more information visit the National Trust website and search ‘Sandilands’.

Migration season is in full swing at Sandilands Nature Reserve! August delivered an amazing array of birdlife, with over...
02/09/2026

Migration season is in full swing at Sandilands Nature Reserve!

August delivered an amazing array of birdlife, with over 40 different species recorded across the reserve.

Highlights included Spoonbill, a juvenile Black Tern, Little Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Snipe, Little Stint, and up to 56 Curlew.

The reserve also attracted Little Egret, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Whinchat, Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Shelduck, Teal, and even a Hobby hunting over the pool.

The skies were equally impressive, with over 400 Swallows, 180 House Martins, Sand Martins and large flocks of Linnets and Goldfinches recorded as autumn migration gathered pace.

A fantastic reminder of the importance of Sandilands as a stopover site for migrating birds. Have you spotted any of these species on your visit? 👀🐦

Photography:
1: Black tailed godwit by Richard Weremczuk.
2: Curlew by Ian Thompson.
3: Juvenile Sandwich Turn by Ian Thompson.
4: Juvenile Ruff by Ian Thompson.
5: Ringed Plover by Ian Thompson.
6: Little Ringed Plover by Ian Thompson.
7: Shelduck by Ian Thompson.

BirdsOfBritain

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National Trust Sandilands, Roman Bank, Sandilands, Nr Sutton-on-Sea
Mablethorpe
LN122RJ

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