National Character Area 42

Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes - Key Facts & Data

Landscape and nature conservation designations section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Around 3 per cent of this NCA lies within the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (Natural England, 2011).

Relationship with the coast

The adjacent coastline includes the following Marine Plan – Marine Character Areas (MCAs):

  • East Midlands Coastal Waters
  • Humber Waters


Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):



Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA42

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Landform, geology and soils section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Elevation

Elevation ranges from just below sea level to a maximum 87m as the land rises westwards across the Middle Marsh to the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The average elevation of the landscape is 11m above sea level (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

The wide coastal plain can be divided into three sub-areas which run broadly parallel with the edge of the Wolds. To the west is the Middle Marsh which comprises a softly undulating arable landscape that gently climbs up to the foot of the Wolds at the ancient Barton Street. To the east lies the Outmarsh, a land of rich pasture, including some remnants of ridge and furrow divided by narrow dykes with brackish water. Thirdly, the coastline itself is an area subject to continual erosion and accretion and, as a result, is vulnerable to high water and flooding (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description).

Bedrock geology

This NCA is underlain by Cretaceous Chalk, with later Quaternary sand, gravel and clay deposits laid down following glacial action (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description).

Superficial deposits

Glacial tills were deposited across the Middle Marsh. Marine alluvium characterises the Outmarsh, created by higher sea levels following the last ice age. Areas of dune sand and marine shingle at Gibraltar Point and North Somercotes are important for wildlife (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description).

Designated geological sites

The NCA includes the following geological sites (Natural England, Geological and Mixed Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2021):

wdt_ID NCA_ID NAME NCAAreaHa Interest type Area (ha) 2021 Percent of NCA (2021) Count
2361NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Geological6.80.01
2371NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Mixed1,029.52.75
2382NORTHUMBERLAND SANDSTONE HILLS72,694.6Geological45.40.14
2393CHEVIOT FRINGE51,591.3Geological17.10.02
2404CHEVIOTS36,487.9Geological165.00.52
2414CHEVIOTS36,487.9Mixed3,488.99.61
2425BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Geological85.70.18
2435BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Mixed35.80.01
2446SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Geological7.20.02
2456SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Mixed5,569.25.74

Soils and Agriculture Classification

Glacial tills across the Middle Marsh give rise to slowly permeable, seasonally waterlogged fine loamy soils supporting cereals. The coastal Outmarsh’s marine alluvium deposits produce soils of a deep clay and calcareous character – fertile soils for cereals, vegetables and pastures (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description).

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as a proportion of total land area) (Natural England, Provisional Agricultural Land Classification, 2019):


Landform, geology and soils map for NCA42

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Key waterbodies and catchments section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Major rivers/canals

The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA (Natural England, data informing the 2014 National Character Area Profiles, 2010):

wdt_ID REF_CODE NAME_1 Name Length (km) SumOfShape_Length
11NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Aln7.67,587.2
21NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Coquet5.55,516.0
31NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINWhiteadder Water2.92,904.9
410NORTH PENNINESBlack Burn11.911,853.4
510NORTH PENNINESCroglin Water10.010,042.3
610NORTH PENNINESCrowdundle Beck4.34,337.4
710NORTH PENNINESDevil's Water20.520,464.6
810NORTH PENNINESHarwood Beck9.79,740.2
910NORTH PENNINESRiver Allen4.94,889.0
1010NORTH PENNINESRiver Derwent15.315,268.4

Please note: other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. Tidal stretches of rivers are not included, which may include some major rivers.

Occasional ‘blow wells’ occur where sand and gravel lenses allow water from the Chalk to reach the surface. A complex series of rivers and small streams drain slowly east across the plain towards the sea – some relying on numerous man-made drains.

Water quality

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. These can impact surface water (waterbodies and waterways located above ground) and groundwater (water bodies and waterways located below ground).

Waterbodies such as lakes can also be designated as “eutrophic waters” if the enrichment of the waterbody by nitrate pollution causes accelerated growth of algae, impacting the quality of the water and the balance of organisms within it.

The following NVZs are located within the NCA (Environment Agency, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Designations, 2021):

Water framework directive

River basin management plans cover river basin districts and describe the challenges that threaten the water environment and how these challenges can be managed and funded. The plans include the classification of water quality of surface waters and ground waters.



Click on the Water Framework Directive layers on the below map to view the corresponding river names.

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA42

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Trees and woodlands section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Total woodland cover

Ancient woodland is any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland includes all forests and woodlands (0.5 hectares and over). The total woodland cover within the NCA is as follows (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023; Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024; this does not consider Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland – Revised (England) – Completed Counties’ data as this is being updated in tranches and no full dataset is yet available):

Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape

Woodland is generally limited. Important concentrations of woodland occur on heavy boulder clay spanning the border between the Middle Marsh and the Wolds, mainly old hazel and ash coppice. The largest block is 177ha but most are less than 20ha in size. Coniferous plantation is present on areas of dune sand at Gibraltar Point and North Somercotes – including a block of 36ha. Sparse woodland on the Outmarsh is limited to small patches around settlements, farmsteads and recent planting around caravan sites (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Natural Area Profile).

Woodland types

A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed below (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023):

Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) within the NCA (Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024):


Trees and woodlands map for NCA42

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Boundary features and patterns

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Boundary features

Occasional hedgerows occur on the Middle Marsh. Drainage ditches bound fields on the Outmarsh (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

Large scale, rectilinear cereal and vegetable fields are common on the Middle Marsh dating back to 18th and 19th century reorganisation. Ancient, irregular pasture fields are found on the Outmarsh, particularly around settlements. Some areas of ridge and furrow indicate past arable farming (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Agriculture section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The following tables provide the most recently available statistics from Defra on agriculture within the NCA.

Farm type

The following farm types are located within this NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm size

The following table outlines the sizes of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm ownership

The following table outlines the ownership of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Land use

The following table outlines the types of agricultural land use within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Livestock numbers

The following livestock are farmed within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm labour

The following table outlines the types of farm labour within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Please note: (i) Some of the Census data are estimated by Defra so may not present a precise assessment of agriculture within this area (ii) Data refers to commercial holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the NCA where it belongs to holdings whose centre point is recorded as being within the NCA.



Note that the below map only shows agri-environment scheme coverage, and not other schemes.

Agriculture map for NCA42

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Key habitats and species section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Habitat distribution/coverage

Salt marsh, sand dunes and saline lagoons occur between Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe. Extensive dunes and salt marshes are found at Gibraltar Point. Important calcareous sand dune system with freshwater marsh and maritime fen are found south of Saltfleet Haven. Neutral and wet grassland are present, including important areas at Lindsey Outmarsh. In addition the NCA contains important arable habitats. These support nationally important assemblages of arable birds (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Natural Area Profile).

Key Habitats

The NCA contains the following areas of key main habitats, as mapped by the national Priority Habitat Inventory (Natural England, Priority Habitats Inventory, 2021; 2024; Natural England, Wood Pasture and Parkland, 2020). Note: lakes and ponds were not included in 2021 data:






Key habitats and species map for NCA42

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Settlement and development patterns section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Settlement patterns

Dispersed settlement throughout agricultural areas is mainly concentrated at the foot of the scarp. The NCA includes historic market towns including Alford, Burgh-le-Marsh and Louth – reputedly with the tallest parish church spire in England. Windmills at Alford, Burgh-le-Marsh and Waltham break up the skyline on the coastal plain. Extensive urban development at the fishing port of Grimsby and resort centres at Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skegness spread out from their nucleated centres. Docks and oil refinery structures at Immingham dominate the skyline of the coastal plain (in the Humber Estuary NCA) (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

The main settlements within the NCA are; Grimsby 87,574 and Skegness 18,910. The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from ONS 2001 census data) is: 242,169 (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003, Natural England, 2012).

Local vernacular and building materials

Traditional building materials are brick and pantile, resulting from extensive rebuilding in 18th century and later. Some reed thatch survives from the previously common buildings constructed from mud, stud and plaster walls with thatch. Some surviving examples of mud and stud buildings survive particularly in the Outmarsh area. Spilsby sandstone has been used in the construction of the area’s churches (Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA42

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Key historic sites and features section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Origin of historic features

There are a number of medieval and post-medieval features on the marshes for example at Tetney and Somercotes. Earlier activity from the Iron Age and Roman periods is often buried under the silts. The artificial watercourse of Louth Canal with marked embankments, built in the 18th century, is a feature in the landscape. The Saltfleetlby Second World War anti-invasion defence works are a rare example where the wartime deployment of gun emplacements and other installations survives within a largely unaltered landscape. The industrial heritage of the Grimsby fishing industry is notable in the north. Parklands and gentry houses are found in the Middle Marsh, including Gunby Hall, Well Vale Hall, Brackenborough and Brocklesby. There are several deserted mediaeval villages and moated sites as well as sites such as Markby Priory and Hagnaby Abbey and the remains of Thornton Abbey (Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Quality Counts, Countryside Character Area Description).

Designated historic assets

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Listed buildings

The NCA includes the following listed buildings (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Heritage at Risk Register

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets listed within the Heritage at Risk Register (Historic England, Heritage at Risk Register, 2021; 2023):



Key historic sites and features map for NCA42

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Recreation and access section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Public access

The following areas of public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; National Trust, 2021):


Please note: Public access areas may overlap.
The following linear routes or public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; Sustrans; 2021):

Recreation and access map for NCA42

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Experiential qualities

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Tranquillity

Based on the CPRE map of tranquillity (2006) it appears that the lowest scores for tranquillity are associated with the conurbations of Grimsby and Cleethorpes. The highest scores for tranquillity are found in the more rural isolated areas away from the settlements and transport networks.

A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA are detailed in the table below (CPRE, Tranquillity Map, 2006):

Dark skies

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed, and can impact on people’s experience of the countryside within the NCAs. CPRE host an interactive map, depicting the light pollution and dark skies within the NCA.

Intrusion

The 2007 Intrusion Map (CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion. This shows a similar pattern to the Tranquillity Map, with the main areas of disturbed land around the developed centres of Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Louth, Alford, Mablethorpe and Skegness, as well as along the A16 road corridor.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below (CPRE, Intrusion Map, 2007):

Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are an increase in the area of disturbed/intruded land of 19 per cent, matched by a decrease in the areas of undisturbed/un-intruded land by 21 per cent.