Our Perfect Itinerary for Tattershall Lakes

Tattershall Lakes sits just off Sleaford Road in Tattershall, Lincolnshire – a 365-acre park built around a series of lakes, with London around three hours away by car, Birmingham closer to two, and Manchester about two and a half. Whether you're coming for a long weekend or a full week, it's the kind of place where you could quite happily never leave the park or use it as a base for exploring the rest of Lincolnshire.

That's really the beauty of Tattershall Lakes: it works just as well for a full-on, activity-packed break as it does for a slow week of lido days and long lunches. This itinerary gives you five days' worth of ideas to mix and match, whichever kind of holiday you're after.

Key Takeaways

Tattershall Lakes suits both action-packed and relaxed holidays – most guests end up doing a bit of both.
Book ahead where you can: swim slots open 21 days out, and most other activities 42 days out, through the Away Resorts app.
Day one is about settling in and dipping a toe in the water; day two ramps things up with wakeboarding, high ropes and archery.
Day three slows the pace with the lido, arts and crafts, and family entertainment for the little ones.
Day four is your chance to explore Lincolnshire, from Tattershall Castle to the beach at Skegness.
Hot tub lodges are popular and tend to book up early, so it's worth sorting your accommodation well ahead of your dates.

Before You Arrive – What to Know

Getting there

Tattershall Lakes is on Sleaford Road in Tattershall, Lincolnshire, and it's an easy drive from most of the country. You're looking at around three hours from London, closer to two from Birmingham, and about two and a half from Manchester. There's parking right by your lodge or caravan, so once you've arrived you shouldn't need to move the car again until it's time to head home.

Booking activities in advance

A few things are worth sorting before you set off. Guest Passes cover your access to certain activities and facilities across the park, and you'll pick these up at reception when you check in. The Away Resorts app is the easiest way to book activities and find your way around once you're there, and it's worth downloading before you travel.

Booking windows vary by activity, so don't leave it too late: swim slots open up 21 days before your stay, while most other activities – think aqua park sessions, archery, high ropes – open 42 days ahead. Popular slots do go quickly, especially in school holidays.

Accommodation options at a glance

There's a good range of places to stay, from lakeside lodges to TriBeCa and Rockstar units, right through to caravans for a simpler stay. If a hot tub is on your wish list, it's worth booking early – hot tub lodges are consistently one of the most requested options, and they don't hang around.

Day One – Arrive, Explore and Get Your Bearings

Morning – check in and settle in

Once you've found your lodge or caravan and got the bags unpacked, head to reception to pick up your Guest Passes. It's worth taking a slow first look around the park too – at 365 acres, there's more to it than you might expect, and getting your bearings on day one makes the rest of the week easier.

Afternoon – hit the water

The waterski lake is home to the Aqua Park, an inflatable obstacle course that's usually the first stop for anyone eager to get in the water. If you'd rather ease in more gently, pedalo hire is a nice, relaxed way to get out on the lakes, and kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding are both good options if you want a bit more of a workout.

Evening – dinner and first night entertainment

For dinner, Propeller Bar and Kitchen has lake views alongside pizzas, steaks and pasta, while Bar 49 is more of a social hub, with live music most nights. Evening entertainment rotates through bingo, live acts, outdoor cinema and the odd disco, so it's worth checking what's on before you decide where to settle for the evening.

Day Two – Full-On Adventure Day

Morning – watersports and thrills

If yesterday was about dipping a toe in, today's the day to go all in. The Aqua Park is worth a second visit if you enjoyed it the day before, and wakeboarding is a great option for anyone after a bit more of a challenge.

Afternoon – land-based action

The afternoon moves onto dry land. The high ropes course is a good test for older kids and adults, adventure golf (or crazy golf, depending who you ask) suits the whole family, and archery is one of those activities that somehow works for every age and ability. If anyone still has energy left, the outdoor sports court is set up for football and basketball too.

Evening – treat yourself

After two fairly full-on days, the evening is a good time to slow down. The Giggling Goose gin and cocktail bar has more than 100 gins and a rooftop garden, which makes it a nice spot to unwind, while Tranquility Spa is worth booking if your muscles need a bit of TLC after all that watersports and wakeboarding. Or simply settle in for an outdoor cinema screening under the stars.

Day Three – Family Fun and Softer Activities

Morning – swimming and the lido

This is the day to make the most of the water without the adrenaline. The indoor heated pool is a solid option whatever the weather – just remember to book your swim slot in advance – while the Lakeside Lido gives you outdoor swimming, sun loungers and a paddling area for younger children. The Aqua Play splash zone is a good bet for the little ones too.

Afternoon – Tattershall Lakes activities

Arts and crafts sessions cover tie-dye, pottery painting and messy play, and they're a reliable way to fill an afternoon whatever the weather. Bike hire lets you explore the park and the village beyond at your own pace, and there's an arcade and adventure playground if the kids want to burn off some energy. For younger children, Bear in the Woods brings toddler-friendly stories, songs and puppet shows.

Evening – A night out on the park

Spitfire Bar is the go-to spot for drinks and catching whatever sport's on, and the evening entertainment programme runs through tribute acts, DJ nights, quiz nights and family karaoke depending on the day. There's also linked bingo running across Away Resorts parks, if you fancy your chances.

Day Four – Explore Lincolnshire

Morning – history and heritage

Tattershall Castle, looked after by the National Trust, is a medieval tower just a mile from the park and well worth the short trip. History fans might also enjoy the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre at RAF Coningsby, home to Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster, or the Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, ten minutes away, which tells the story of the Dambusters squadron.

Afternoon – seaside or wildlife

In the afternoon, it's a choice between the coast and the countryside. Skegness is about 45 minutes away, with its beaches, Fantasy Island and the classic seaside combination of arcades and fish and chips. Closer to the park, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is 25 minutes away and home to around 2,000 animals, including the world's largest parrot sanctuary. If you've got younger children in tow, Tattershall Farm Park is just ten minutes from the park and makes for an easy, low-key outing with animals, play areas and a spot for a picnic.

Evening – back on the park

After a day out, dinner back at Propeller Bar and Kitchen or a takeaway from Catch 22 is an easy way to end the day, especially if you've got a hot tub lodge to head back to for the evening.

Day Five – Wind Down and Farewell

Morning – last splash and leisurely breakfast

Make the most of your last morning with one final swim or lido session, breakfast at your lodge or a coffee from the park, and a last stroll around the lakes before you head home.

Before you leave

If you've got a bit of time before you set off, Woodhall Spa village is ten minutes away and worth a wander, with boutique shops, The Bakery and Deli, and the wonderfully retro Kinema in the Woods – a cinema with back projection and organ intervals that's been entertaining families for decades. Tattershall Karting Centre, three miles from the park, has an 800m woodland track if anyone in the group still has energy for one last bit of adventure.

Tattershall Lakes for Different Types of Groups

Family itinerary highlights

Families tend to get the most out of the Aqua Park, the Lido and Aqua Play splash zone, high ropes and archery, plus Bear in the Woods for the younger ones. For a day out, Tattershall Farm Park and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park are both easy, family-friendly options nearby.

Couples' itinerary highlights

For couples, a hot tub lodge is the obvious starting point, paired with an evening at the Giggling Goose gin bar, a treatment at Tranquility Spa, or a sunset pedalo ride out on the lakes. Lincolnshire has plenty of quieter, romantic days out too, if you fancy venturing off park.

Groups and friends itinerary highlights

Groups of friends tend to gravitate towards the watersports, a session at Tattershall Karting Centre, and making the most of the evening entertainment. Spitfire Bar and Bar 49 are both good options for a proper night out in the park.

Practical tips for your Tattershall Lakes stay

What to pack

Swimwear and a towel are essentials, obviously, but bring layers too – Lincolnshire weather can turn quickly, and you'll want something warm for the evenings even in summer. Comfortable shoes are worth packing if you're planning on the high ropes course, archery or a wander into Woodhall Spa.

Seasonal opening times

Some activities and facilities run seasonally rather than all year round, so it's worth checking what's open before you travel, particularly if you're visiting outside the main summer season.

Eating on a budget vs dining out

Self-catering in your lodge is the cheaper option and gives you more flexibility, especially with younger children. Dining out at Propeller Bar and Kitchen or grabbing a takeaway from Catch 22 is a nice way to treat yourselves without having to leave the park at all.

Dog friendly tips

If you're bringing the dog, plenty of the accommodation including Tattershall Lakes lodges and outdoor spaces are dog-friendly – just check the specifics for your chosen lodge or caravan before you book, since this can vary.

FAQs

How many days do you need at Tattershall Lakes? Most guests find three to five days is enough to properly enjoy the on-park activities and fit in a day out in Lincolnshire, though a long weekend works well if you're short on time.

Do I need to book activities in advance at Tattershall Lakes? Yes – swim slots open 21 days before your stay, and most other activities open 42 days ahead, which you can book through the Away Resorts app. Popular activities can book up quickly, especially during school holidays.

Is Tattershall Lakes good for families with young children? The Aqua Play splash zone, Lakeside Lido and Bear in the Woods sessions are all aimed at younger children, and Tattershall Farm Park nearby makes for an easy family day out.

What's there to do near Tattershall Lakes? Tattershall Castle is a mile from the park, Woodhall Spa village and Tattershall Karting Centre are both a few minutes away, and Skegness and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park make good day-trip options.

Are hot tub lodges available at Tattershall Lakes? Yes, though they're one of the most popular accommodation types in the park, so it's worth booking well ahead of your dates to make sure you get one.