Grimsby

Where to begin... Pete woke up at 03:15 in the dark to get the boat ready. In addition to waking the sleeping town with his engine checks, his passage plan went overboard just before he untied the lines. While slipping the bow line, he stumbled back to the helm to release the stern, and the tide spun the yacht 180 degrees. After bumping into the pontoon, he finally managed to navigate Wells' exit into the force 6 winds. Svea and Jen were oblivious to all of this as they were both fast asleep! No damage done, however, an interesting start to the day.

Due to 30 Kts of wind, it was a choppy but sunny 12-hour journey. Rimau dived through the waves causing Pete to need his ski goggles (see pic). Despite the moderate sea state, we arrived early in Grimsby so had to wait 20 minutes for the lock to open. A gale warning had been issued, so all were relieved to be in a safe haven for a couple of days. Bob, a local friend, greeted Rimau at the lock, made sure the Swedish flag was flying at HCA yacht club and joined us on board for a much-needed welcome beer.

I have very little to say about Grimsby itself. Neither the marina or town are dog friendly. We bumped into some undercover cops conducting a drugs bust ... which really sums up this place. After provisioning, we got out of there as quickly as we could and spent the rest of the day in Cleethorpes. Looking forward to dog friendly Bridlington tomorrow!

🐾 Dog-Friendliness of Grimsby Fish Dock Marina (HCA Marina)

• Marina Policy: Dogs are welcome on visiting yachts and around the pontoons, but must be on a lead at all times. They are not welcome into the club house and despite signage to clean up after dogs there are no dog-specific amenities (e.g. dog bins or designated walking zones) inside the secure marina compound.

• Access: The marina is in an industrial dockland area, so the immediate surroundings are not ideal for dog walking — but there are good options a short walk or drive away.

  If arriving after 16:00 then you will not get a gate card to let you in or out. We took the telephone number of another crew member to let us back in.

• Staff Attitude: Humber Cruising Association is known for being friendly and informal. Staff are accommodating to responsible dog owners. Everyone apologised for not being able to allow Svea into the bar. Cost of two beers in the club house is less than £5 and pool is 20p a game, so - cheap and cheerful. Visiting sailors without dogs are very welcome.

  
  

🌿 Best Places to Walk a Dog in and Around Grimsby

1. People’s Park

• Distance: 2 miles from the marina

• Details: Large, open Victorian park with formal gardens, duck ponds, and woodland edges.

• Dog Notes:

  • Plenty of off-lead potential.

  • Well-maintained paths and multiple dog waste bins.

    
    

2. Weelsby Woods

• Distance: 3 miles southeast

• Details: Large woodland and grassland park with open spaces, mature trees, and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Dog Notes:

  • Great off-lead area.

  • Very popular with local dog walkers.

  • Café and toilets on site (seasonal opening).

    
    

3. Cleethorpes Promenade and Beach

• Distance: 2 miles walk to the Promenade

• Details: Coastal promenade and long stretch of sandy beach.

• Dog Notes:

  • Dogs allowed on most of the beach except for a signed restricted zone near the central resort area (May–Sept).

  • Miles of beach and sand flats outside the restricted zone — great for an off-lead run.

  • Dog waste bins along the promenade.

  • We attempted to walk back along the promenade along the sea front to the marina. Whilst this seems to be a path, google map is incorrect and we luckily found a gap in the fence to get us back onto the main road near the marina.

4. Freshney Parkway / River Freshney Walk

• Distance: 1.5–2 miles from marina (accessible from town centre)

• Details: Riverside footpath along the River Freshney heading west through parkland and green spaces.

• Dog Notes:

  • Mixed lead/off-lead sections depending on traffic and other users.

  • Pleasant for a shaded, gentle walk close to town.

    
    

🐕‍🦺 Dog-Friendly Cafés & Pubs

• Docks Beers Taproom (Grosvenor St) 15-minute walk from the marina. Dog-friendly brewery bar with water bowls and a casual vibe.

• Riverhead Coffee (Grimsby & Cleethorpes) Excellent independent café — very dog-friendly with indoor and outdoor seating.

• The Counting House (Cleethorpes) Large dog-friendly pub in a former bank. Spacious, with dog bowls and treats.

• The Scratching Post Micropub (Grimsby) A friendly, low-key spot for a pint — dogs welcome.

✅ Summary

Feature	Assessment
Marina Policy	Dogs welcome on lead
Walks Nearby	Best walks are a short drive away
Beach Access	Cleethorpes Beach is a fantastic option but quite difficult to get to.
Pubs & Cafés	Several dog-friendly options in town and coast
Off-lead Spaces	Yes – People’s Park, Weelsby Woods, beaches

🧭 Tips for Visiting Boaters with Dogs

• The marina area itself is not ideal for dog walking, so plan to travel 1–3 miles for a decent walk.

• People’s Park and Weelsby Woods are your best nearby open-space options.

• Cleethorpes Beach is your top choice for a full-day, off-lead adventure — especially if the tide’s out.