This week’s late-winter sunshine has been very much welcome after seemingly weeks of non-stop rain.
In just four days, however, the cold, dark days of winter will officially be behind us as March 1 marks the start of meteorological spring.
With each passing day set to become warmer and longer until the middle of June, many of us will be itching to spend more time outside.
We all know that Nottinghamshire is an absolute dream for outdoor activities, but our neighbours in Lincolnshire have plenty to offer too.
Lincolnshire, unlike Nottinghamshire, boasts 50 miles of scenic coastline packed with little-known beaches ideal for exploring on a spring day.
Depending on where you live, these beaches are usually within a two-hour drive of Nottinghamshire, making them perfect for a day-trip.
We all know about Skegness and Ingoldmells, but there are more than a dozen other beautiful beaches just waiting to be discovered as the weather improves.
We’ve picked out 6 of the best ones below:
1. Chapel St Leonards
Just north of the popular seaside town of Indolgmells is Chapel St Leonards. A mix of sand and shingle, the beach isn't usually as busy as other spots along the Lincolnshire coast. A visit to Chapel St Leonards can be enhanced by hiring one of the charming beach huts along the seafront. | Mat Fascione Photo: Mat Fascione
2. Anderby Creek Beach
Nestled between Chapel St Leonards and Sutton on Sea, Anderby Creek Beach boasts a long, sandy beach with plenty of space for visitors to enjoy. Anderby Beach is known for its chilled-out vibe, with far fewer visitors than nearby Skegness and Ingoldmells. | Mat Fascione Photo: Mat Fascione
3. Saltfleet
Described by Visit Lincolnshire as an "unspoilt sandy beach backed by sand dunes", Saltfleet is arguably the most underrated beach on the Lincolnshire coast. The vast expanse is perfect for dogs to burn off energy. The tiny village of Saltfleet has a chip shop and several bed and breakfasts. | Chris Photo: Chris
4. Humberston Fitties Beach
Humberston Fitties beach is a stretch of golden sand separated by groynes at the south end of Cleethorpes. The beach is located between the Saltmarsh and Marine Embankment beach area and the Humber Mouth Yacht Club. There aren't any facilities such as toilets or cafes at the beach, but that only adds to its charm. | Steve Fareham Photo: Steve Fareham