Outdoor Sandilands Access Statement
Sandilands Golf ClubT: 01754 892993
Introduction
Sandilands is located along the Lincolnshire Coast and the National Trust site consists of the former golf course and clubhouse. It forms part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, and the National Trust’s vision is to transform the site into a nature reserve and provide a space where everyone can enjoy nature year-round. Plans have been delayed slightly due to the impact we’re all experiencing from coronavirus, but in the meantime, visitors are very welcome to walk the site.
Due to its rural location, the ground is uneven with sudden changes in height, including a few rabbit holes. The site is relatively flat, but there are some artificial features with access via steps without handrails (these are easily avoidable, and alternative routes are clearly visible). The clubhouse is currently closed to the public but is all on one level. There is deep water where the Boy Grift drain cuts across the site. It is clearly visible, and the banks are highlighted by a change in height of vegetation. There is a concrete path and bridge providing access over the drain. All dogs are welcome, including Assistance Dogs.
NB - Mobile phone reception is good at the north end of the site by the former clubhouse but gets gradually weaker the further south you go. In an emergency call 999 for the Emergency Services, and the main office at Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens on 01754 890102 for staff assistance.
Arrival & Parking Facilities
The car park entrance is accessible from Huttoft Bank and the golf course is clearly signposted from Sutton-on-Sea. There are currently no brown signs to the site. It is
highlighted by the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park signage at the car park entrance. The postcode for satnav use is LN13 9RS.
Steep steps with a centre handrail lead from the main car park up to the club house and Sandilands site. There are ten steps altogether, with a wider step midway. There is an additional set of steps that has been altered to aid golfers taking their golf trolleys from the carpark to the course. We strongly recommend that you use the alternative steps available.
There are two designated spaces for disabled visitors at the top of the road adjacent to the main car park entrance leading to the seafront. The surface of the designated spaces is made of tarmac. Here there is level access to the promenade along the beach and to the Sandilands site, however, the path to Sandilands is made of loose gravel.
Access from the car park to the site is up some steps with a centre handrail. The path
leading away from the top of the steps to the club house is made up on concrete slabs and is all on one level. There is level access from the designated disabled spaces along a loose gravel path. From this point onwards, the site is relatively flat, but due to its rural nature and use as a former golf course, the ground is uneven and there are sudden changes in level. If access is difficult for you, please contact us in advance of your visit and we will do all we can to help.
There are currently no refreshment facilities available. There are some toilet facilities
available in the public carpark, including an accessible toilet. It costs 20p to use the facilities. These are not managed by the National Trust, but visitors are welcome to use them. ELDC look after the toilet block.
Trails
There are currently no officially marked trails across the site, but visitors are welcome to walk around Sandilands and may bring well-behaved dogs on leads. There are some well worn tracks parallel to the sand dunes which are easier to walk on.
There are some artificial features/mounds with access via steps without handrails, which act as a great viewpoint along the coast. However, these are easily avoidable, and an
alternative pathway is clearly visible. It takes just over an hour to walk the length of the site and back at a steady pace.
There are three artificial mounds across the site, each with ten steps to the top. The features are flat at the top. There is a clear pathway around each feature, so there is no need to climb the steps if you don’t wish to.
Towards Huttoft Car Terrace (at the south of the golf course) there is a set of steep steps to the top of the sand dunes where you can view the sea. There are ten steps altogether, and they do have a handrail, but the surface of the steps is made of loose gravel and the spacing between the steps is unequal. It is optional to climb these steps and they won’t stop you from being able to travel the length of the reserve.
Boy Grift Drain
Boy Grift Drain cuts west to east across the site and is managed by the Environment Agency. There is no unauthorised access allowed to the drain, but there is a clear concrete pathway and bridge across to the rest of the site, and the beach can be accessed from this point. There is deep water here, but it is clearly visible and marked by a clear change in vegetation height. There is also vehicle access to the beach at this point, so take care when crossing.
There are a number of dykes crossing the gold course. Bridges were installed for the golfers to travel more easily with their golf trolleys, but these are slippery and uneven. We
Please be aware whilst walking around the site of the scrapes dug out for the golf course. These are clearly visible as they are bare sand rather than grass, but some are quite steep.
