Cleethorpes factfile

How to get to Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes is a seaside resort town in north-east Lincolnshire situated on the estuary of the River Humber. It's well served by bus and rail, and lies at the end of the A180, A16 and A46 roads.

Cleethorpes through the ages
Up to the 19th century, Cleethorpes was a fishing village. With the arrival of the railways, which linked the industrial towns of Yorkshire to the coast, it grew rapidly as a popular day resort.

Recent years have seen the growth of large residential caravan parks to cater for its booming leisure trade. Cleethorpes is also known as Down beach, owing to its gently sloping sandy beaches.

Eating and drinking in Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes offers a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and pubs to its residents and many visitors. Traditional British fare, Oriental, Mexican and Indian appetites are all catered for—as well as that traditional seaside staple, fish and chips.

Famous people from Cleethorpes
Michele Dotrice, the actress who played Betty, the long-suffering wife of Frank Spencer in 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do Ave 'Em, was born in Cleethorpes, as were fellow actress Patricia Hodge and England and Huddersfield Giants rugby league star Earl Crabtree.

How Cleethorpes got its name
Cleethorpes was made up of three small villages or thorpes, Itterby, Oole and Thrunscoe, which were part of the wider parish of Clee. Clee means clay and thorpes is a medieval word for villages.

Things to see and do around Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes has plenty to amuse. Discover the local wildlife at the Discovery Centre, visit Cleethorpes Pier or take a ride on Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. There's also a theme park, a laser quest, a bowling alley and an indoor wonderland for young children.

Famous landmarks around Cleethorpes
The Humber Forts, two large fortifications built in 1914 to protect from invasions and submarines, are visible in the mouth of the River Humber.

Sports and leisure in Cleethorpes
Horse trekking on lovely Cleethorpes beach is available at the Seaview Equestrian Centre. Cleethorpes also has a leisure centre, go-karting track, swimming pool and bowling alley.

Cleethorpes claim to fame
The Greenich Meridian passes through the town and a signpost shows distances to worldwide locations from New York City's 5,602 km (3,481 mi) to the South Pole's 15,963km (9,919 miles).