Top 5 Best Skegness Amusements

Skegness is located on the east coast of Lincolnshire and is accessible through Boston from the south Lincoln from the west or Grimsby from the north. Trains are available direct from the East Midlands Rail operator and depart from several towns and cities in the midlands including Nottingham, Leicester, Sheffield and Derby all with wider connections to London, Birmingham, Glasgow etc. 

The beach at Skegness is wide with rich coloured fine sand and dunes. There are several other reachable tourist destinations along the east coast including Ingoldmells, Mablethorpe and Hunstanton (north-west Norfolk).

Skegness Tourist Area 

Skegness is centred around a busy town centre which runs down Lumley Road and High Street toward the beach. Here, visitors can find a fine selection of pubs and dining establishments as well as high street shops and some amusements, bingo and casino gaming venues. 

Upon reaching the seaside visitors are greeted by the large iconic landmark which is the Skegness Clocktower. From this roundabout, visitors can cross into the tourist pedestrian area next to the beach, which offers a wide range of amenities including food and drink kiosks, theme park rides and Bottons Pleasure Beach. 

Between the clocktower and the Skegness Pier, most of the amusement arcades can be found in or around Grand Parade, which is the main tourist strip for vehicles. 

This whole area is very walkable and makes Skegness a pleasant place to explore as there are lots of paths and areas around the beach, through the Pleasure Beach and pier and down Grand Parade, where some of the amusement arcades are internally connected. 

Top 5 Best Amusements Skegness

Skegness has a huge range of fantastic amusement arcades, from small boutique venues to huge entertainment complexes. There are more than ten amusement arcades in Skegness - for further info please see our Skegness attractions section. 

Our top five venue picks are all located on or around the Grand Parade area, which is just a short walk from the main tourist parking on the seafront. 

Here we have listed the top five picks using our ‘Venue Verdict’ rating system to ensure we are providing the most accurate and balanced information for lovers of amusement arcades.

So, if tickets redemption prizes are your thing, or winning plush toys from the claw machine, our review rating covers all types of games for the whole family. 

The ratings can be found at the bottom of each individual arcade listing on our site. We award venue performance out of 5 stars in the following categories: Family Fun, Atmosphere, Tickets for Prizes, Fruit Machines and Casino Gaming. Please check out the individual amusement arcade listings on the links below. 

5) Empire Amusements Arcade

One of the largest venues on Grand Parade that features a fully licensed bar and ten pin bowling alley lanes. The entire ground floor is dedicated to ticket arcade machines and coin pushers and there are many more games machines upstairs too. With a huge selection of prizes to redeem for tickets, visitors could easily spend all day in here as they have so many great amenities. Furthermore, the amusement complex is internally joined to Plaza Amusements, so patrons don’t even need to go outside!

4) Plaza Amusements Arcade

Located right next door to Empire, Plaza can be accessed from Carnival Street within Empire providing enjoyable discovery for any budding arcade explorer. Plaza arcade is huge and boasts a large amount of fruit machines, adult casino gaming section and even bumper car style Orbiters. At the rear of the venue there is a fun Bowlingo lane that is served from a nice café, with plenty of seating for the family.  

3) Skegness Pier Amusements Arcades

The pier is really a stand-out venue in Skegness as it not only provides a thrilling walk to the beach, but a great gaming experience along the way. They have a huge range of the latest arcade games that pay out ticket wins and many other cool prizes. There is a climbing wall and a full-size bowling alley and even a bar overlooking the beach. Fans of coin pushers will love the rear section as there are many games to play on and tuppence to roll. 

2) Lucky Strike Amusements Arcade

Lucky Strike is quite possibly the largest individual arcade venue in Skegness. Occupying three floors during high season, there is a huge range of arcade machines here from ticket games to coin pushers to casino slots. There are multiple food and drink options across every floor, and they have great range of other amenities including toilets, pool tables, orbiters, kids soft play and many large arcade machines. 

1) Funland Amusements Arcade

Funland certainly lives up to its name and we award it the number spot on our list because it has a well-balanced range of arcade games and machines that are perfect for all of the family. They have a great range of ticket slot machines, fruit machines and a cosy adult gaming section. With modern and classic coin pushers that pay out real ticket wins and generous shelf prizes, Lings Funland makes for the ideal place to spend a day of entertainment for all of the family. Players can also enjoy the fantastic arcade prize bingo section and make everlasting memories with children, parents and grandparents 

Visit in the day or play at night?

Like most seaside resorts, the sun compliments a visit during the day, though even if you don’t have the perfect weather, it is always recommended to experience the venues, which come alive at night. Visitors can expect to see the bright lights and illuminations that British seaside towns are famous for in the evenings with many fabulous bars, restaurants and live music and shows to be enjoyed. 

Perfect for Summer and Winter

Summer is the perfect time to visit Skegness, though like all seaside towns, it can get busy during the summer holiday season. Anyone visiting during the low season shall be rewarded with a less busy atmosphere, though most of the same amenities will still available right through to Christmas. Some venues will operate shorter hours and opening times so always best to enquire ahead to make for an enjoyable visit.

Seaside Resort Verdict

Skegness has the big-time bright lights of Blackpool, big arcade venues and a great range of food and drink options all within a very walkable area. It is flat so no hills, the beach is lovely, and the Pleasure Beach provides the fun fair feel that the whole family will love. 

There is a great range of affordable accommodation that you simply do not get on the south coast, which means families can spend more money on fun and unforgettable experiences. Skegness also has a Greggs, Wetherspoons and Poundland to make the holiday funds go even further!