Every November and December, grey seals come ashore at Donna Nook, on the coast north-east of Louth, to give birth to their pups by the sand dunes. The viewing area is usually open from late October to early January, from dawn to dusk, depending on how many seals are there. You don't need to book, but dogs aren't allowed in the viewing area, and weekdays are far quieter than weekends.
It's one of the great wildlife sights of the year, and people travel from all over the country to see it. Here's what you need to know before you go, from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, which looks after the reserve.
When to See the Seals
The first seals arrive in late October, and the pups are born in November and December. The viewing area at the foot of the dunes usually opens from late October to early January, from dawn till dusk, though the dates depend on the seals. The Trust posts a weekly seal count, its "pupdate", on the Donna Nook page, and the Donna Nook warden shares news on Facebook, so you can see how many pups there are before you set off.
Britain has about 40% of the world's grey seals, so a visit here is a chance to see an important colony.
Go on a weekday if you can. At weekends the narrow lanes, car parks and viewing area get very busy. In 2026 the six busiest weekends are from 7th November to 13th December, when there's traffic management with a one-way system and no stopping on the lanes.
Getting There and Parking
Donna Nook is reached from Marsh Lane at North Somercotes. Follow the signs for RAF Donna Nook, then the seal signs. The Trust asks you not to rely on sat nav. The reserve's postcode, LN11 7PD, is only the nearest registered address.
- The main field car park is privately run and opens only in the seal season. It charges for parking, takes cash or card, and has portable toilets, including a wheelchair-accessible one, and catering when it's busy.
- Stonebridge car park is free and open all year, with easy access to the viewing area and a few disabled bays. On the busy weekends it's for Blue Badge holders only.
The nearest public toilets, including accessible ones, are in North Somercotes. Groups and schools need to send the Trust a group visit form at least a month ahead.
Staying Safe and the Rules
Grey seals are large, powerful predators. They can move surprisingly fast and have teeth like a dog's, and even the pups can bite. Mothers protect their pups fiercely, the bulls can be aggressive, and a mother may abandon a pup that smells of people or dogs. So the viewing area sits behind a fence at the foot of the dunes, and the Trust asks everyone to:
- stay in the viewing area, behind the fence
- never feed or touch the seals
- keep children with you: no unaccompanied children
- use no flash photography
- park only in the marked car parks
Watch for red flags. Part of the coast is still a Ministry of Defence bombing range, and nobody should go into the range area when the red flags are flying. Most of the dunes are open at all times.
Dogs
Dogs aren't allowed in the seal viewing area. Seals can carry diseases, including leptospirosis and phocine distemper, that are harmful to dogs, and the smell of a dog can make a mother leave her pup. It's kindest to leave your dog at home or in a dog-friendly place to stay. For a seal visit with the dog along, Kents Farm Cottages at Austen Fen are four miles from Donna Nook and designed with pets in mind, and there's more in where to stay in and around Louth.
More to See Nearby
Donna Nook is more than seals. The reserve covers over six miles of coast between Grainthorpe Haven and Saltfleet, with dunes, saltmarsh and mudflats, and more than 250 species of bird have been recorded there. To the south it joins the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve.
To see seals up close at any time of year, Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary & Wildlife Centre cares for rescued seals and releases them back to the wild. For a warm-up afterwards, The Prussian Queen and Little Village Tea Shop are a short drive away at Saltfleetby. For more animals, see wildlife parks and animal farms near Louth.
Details checked 27th October 2026, from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Seal season dates and car park arrangements can change each year, so check the Trust's page before you go. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
Donna Nook Seals: Your Questions
When can you see the seals at Donna Nook?
Grey seals give birth at Donna Nook in November and December. The viewing area is usually open from late October to early January, from dawn to dusk, depending on seal numbers.
Do you need to book to see the seals at Donna Nook?
No, you do not need to book. Groups and schools must send Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust a group visit form at least a month in advance.
Can I take my dog to see the seals at Donna Nook?
No, dogs are not allowed in the seal viewing area. Seals can carry diseases that are harmful to dogs, and a mother seal may abandon a pup that smells of dogs.
Where do I park for Donna Nook?
There are two car parks reached from Marsh Lane, North Somercotes. The main field car park opens in the seal season and charges for parking, while Stonebridge car park is free and open all year but limited, and for Blue Badge holders only on the busiest weekends.
Are there toilets at Donna Nook?
There are portable toilets, including a wheelchair-accessible one, in the main field car park during the seal season. The nearest public toilets are in North Somercotes.
How far is Donna Nook from Louth?
Donna Nook is on the coast north-east of Louth, reached through North Somercotes. Follow the signs for RAF Donna Nook and then the seal signs rather than your sat nav.