To the east of England, Lincolnshire brings a wealth of market towns, delightful beaches and, of course, the breath-taking beauty of Lincolnshire Wolds. Whether you’re looking to work up a sweat, indulge in local history, or kick back and relax, there’s a wide range of days out and places to visit in Lincolnshire.
Lincolnshire is full of exciting days out, beautiful scenery to enjoy, and attractions to see. Are you searching for a perfect spot to fish? Or how about visiting one of the finest cathedrals in Europe? There are so many things to do in Lincolnshire, which is why we created our list of our top attractions and activities for you to get the most out of your stay.
1
Delve into history with a visit to the home of the finest gothic building in Europe, the city of Lincoln. Once the tallest building in the world, Lincoln Cathedral is a breath-taking site that hosts many carol services during the winter and organ concerts throughout the year. Lincoln Castle, on the other hand, houses one of only four copies of the Magna Carta that dates back to 1215. Enjoy a tour around the castle grounds and around the walls on an audio-guided medieval walk, allowing you to take in some of the best views of the city. Throw in a stop by The Collection Museum, full of archaeological finds and a diverse collection of fine art.
2
Boston is a quaint market town steeped in local history. The beautiful Boston Guildhall and Hussey Tower will tell you the story of the area, which was once second only to London for trade in the country. Boston’s biggest attraction, however, is St. Botolph’s church, also known as the ‘Boston Stump’ because of its extraordinarily high tower. Make the climb up the 200 steps to enjoy a view over the town that will not soon be forgotten. Round off the day with a trip to the Bubblecar Museum, where you can enjoy over 50 microcars on display and a trip to stores recreated from the 1950s and ‘60s.
3
If you’re looking for a seaside escape, Skegness should be your first port of call. Take a stroll down the seafront and out onto the pier for a host of amusements and arcades, not to mention a classic helping of fish and chips! Learn about sea life conservation with a visit to the Natureland Seal Sanctuary, where kids can get in on the fun by trying their hand at brass rubbing and pottery painting. Just a short distance out of town is Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, a serene area of coastline where you can explore sand dunes, lagoons, and ponds to find snipes, avocets, and skylarks.
4
Discover one of the most important World Heritage sites in England by visiting Grimsby – Fishing Heritage Centre, one of the country’s greatest historical sites. Gain a glimpse into Roman Britain by visiting one of twelve historical sites stretching from Bowness-on-Solway all the way across the county and through to Wallsend, in Newcastle upon Tyne. Birdoswald is close to the Lincolnshiren border and holds the remains of a Roman fort as well as the longest surviving stretch of the wall itself. Kick up your feet in the cosy tearoom, or take a walk along the National Trail to see first-hand how the wall changed the local landscape surrounding it.
We have a range of accommodation in Lincolnshire, including pet friendly and lodges with hot tubs
5
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, no trip to Lincolnshire would be complete without fully exploring Lincolnshire Wolds. There're so many routes to explore and views to see that we recommend enjoying the many cycle routes mapped through the area. Find beautiful wildflowers including bulbous buttercup and red campion as well as buzzards, blackbirds, and wagtails flitting across the hills. There are many diverse areas to see, from the ridges and valleys in the south-west to the open, rolling hills of the chalk wolds, meaning each trip will bring something new. The Lincolnshire Wolds stretch from Laceby all the way down to Candlesby, meaning wherever you stay in Lincolnshire, breath-taking scenery is just a stone’s throw away.
Cleethorpes is a serene town on the North East coast that boasts sandy beaches and beautiful gardens. However, it's also your best opportunity to take to the water yourself with a spot of rowing. Cleethorpes Boating Lake surrounds an illuminated fountain and is the perfect way to spend a lazy summer’s day. Gently float down the lake with a rented rowing boat or pedalo and bring the kids to enjoy the paddling pool at the northern tip of the lake. Be sure to pack a picnic and find a spot where you can admire the view before taking a trip to Jungle World, a small zoo to bring a dash of wildlife to the day.
Image copyright Neil Theasby and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
7
While the chance to enjoy the works of Shakespeare is inspirational enough, Tolethorpe Hill gives you a rare opportunity to experience the drama of his best plays in an open-air theatre. Found just a short drive from Stamford, the Stamford Shakespeare Company was founded in 1968 and acquired the area of Tolethorpe Hall in 1977. The amphitheatre was renovated and now hosts the company’s performance of three Shakespeare plays from June to August. Tolethorpe Hall itself also holds a delightful picnic area, an elegant restaurant, and a theatre bar. There’s no better way to hear the tales of runaway lovers, battle-weary heroes, and medieval kings than out in the open, enjoying the summer sun.
8
Completed in 1600, Doddington Hall is an Elizabethan mansion surrounded by six acres of land that is open to the public. The perfect site for shutterbugs out there; enjoy a stroll through the carefully natured gardens that have been there for over 400 years. See the blooming snowdrops and crocus thomasianus in early spring, or the daffodils and aconites of summer. There’s so much to see, you could easily spend the entire day outside of the hall, finding the Temple of the Winds or getting lost in the turf maze! Doddington Hall itself is home to not only wondrous tapestries and collections of furniture collected over the building’s history, but also to a range of special events throughout the year. Sit down to a fairy-tale Christmas, or enjoy a tasting session in the Farm Shop for a local flavour you’ll never forget.
9
On the outskirts of Barton-upon-Humber, Far Ings Nature Reserve is an ideal place for you to enjoy the wildlife on offer in Lincolnshire. The reserve is a major flyway for migrating birds and there’s always a wide range of species to see throughout the year. In the spring you will see finches, martins, swifts, starlings, and larks, whereas towards the end of the year you can spot redshanks, skeins, wigeons, and pink-footed geese. Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll have a stunning panoramic view from the visitor centre, being able to see the Humber Bridge and Lincolnshire Wolds, as well as the reed beds and pits of the reserve.
10
For a quality day out that’s completely free, look no further than exploring Hubbards Hills, near Louth. The area is one of tremendous beauty filled with winding paths, towering trees, and ideal spots to lay down and enjoy a family picnic. Stepping stones reach out across the water towards a play park for the kids, and events are hosted throughout the year, from conservation days to film screenings and book days. Don’t tire your legs out too much, though, as Louth is a quaint market town with a wealth of local cuisine and crafts to enjoy. Let the Louth Museum transport you back to the 1840s and learn about the history of the local area as well as some of the men and women who are remembered with memorials around Lincolnshire.
Image copyright John Firth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Lincolnshire is a firm favourite for our family holidays as there’s so much to see and do, from the beautiful cathedral city of Lincoln (which is great for shopping and I love to shop so always worth a visit!!) to the seaside resort of Skegness where you can’t beat having good ole fish and chips followed by a 99 (not good for the waistline but has to be done, you’re on holiday after all!).
On our last trip we visited the RAF museum at Coningsby which is well worth the trip to see the old planes they have on show, would definitely recommend the guided tour as you learn so much about the history of the RAF as well as the planes. I think the children would have stayed there all day if they could!
Account Executive - Lodges and Parks
We are a member of ABTA. Read full details of our ABTA membership.
