With Lincolnshire being the second largest county and the least populated in the UK, it has seemingly kept under the radar when it comes to top destinations to visit. Bursting with heritage, history, and culture, Lincolnshire is filled with plenty of exciting attractions and beautiful scenery no matter what time of year you visit.
With beautiful coastlines, airborne extravaganzas, stunning architecture and picturesque Wolds – there is much to do in Lincolnshire. Here we dive deeper into this underrated gem to share our recommendations of the best places to visit and best things to do in Lincolnshire.
Heritage & History
Lincolnshire is known as ‘Bomber County’ due to its pivotal position in the aerial battles of the Second World War. A short two-minute drive out of Lincoln, is the International Bomber Command Centre – Gold winner in Visit England’s Tourism Awards. It consists of a 31-metre tall memorial spire that marks the service and sacrifice of all those that lost their lives during the Second World War serving or supporting Bomber Command. There are also two beautiful surrounding peace gardens: one Lincolnshire, and one International.
The sensational view that looks directly through the Memorial Spire, leads to one of the best cathedrals in the UK - Lincoln Cathedral. This was designed to let those of Bomber Command know they were almost home from their missions, and importantly for those who failed to return, provided their last view of home.
Lincoln Cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Lincolnshire. It is one of the few English cathedrals that was built from locally sourced stone with the Norman and Gothic architectural styles evolving into one of the most unique cathedrals in Europe. Added to this, Lincoln Cathedral has recently undergone a £16.5million scheme, as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded project, to create a stunning new visitor centre. Further, The Dean’s Green has been beautifully landscaped to create a stunning outdoor garden which is open to the public for the first time in decades.
A short 5 minute walk away from the cathedral lies the incredible Lincoln Castle – voted the UK’s most popular castle – which has dominated the Lincoln skyline for almost one thousand years. Guests can explore the Georgian and Victorian prison giving an insight into crime and punishment in Lincoln of the past. On top of this, you can walk the whole circumference of Lincoln Castle’s Medieval wall, giving spectacular views of Lincoln Cathedral and the city.
Scenic Outdoors
One of the best ways to explore Lincolnshire is by bike. A cycle tour around this stunning landscape showcases some of the best countryside in England: ranging from medieval castles and historic houses, to the open fields and big bright skies. Our favourite of these is the coastal route and the new Historic Homes route. The most exciting part is uncovering hidden farm shops, bakeries, and tea rooms that offer delicious fresh local produce for a treat or two.
Another spectacular way of taking in the beautiful outdoors is at The North Sea Observatory which opened in 2018. It includes exhibitions of the local area, an art space, and a café that lies on a slight promontory at Chapel Point making it the perfect spot for bird watching as well. Many species of ducks as well as grebes, divers, sedge warblers, and wild swans can be seen from here.
Alternatively, capture unmissable sights on nature walks in the Snipe Dales Country Park & Nature Reserve with wonderful views of the southern Lincolnshire Wolds. There are a variety of woodland walks where a wide range of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies can also be observed.
Captivating Culture
Lincoln Art Trail is a mass participation public art event to celebrate Lincoln, its art, culture and heritage. The third annual Lincoln Imp trail will run from April to September 2021. It is the ideal way to gain a deeper understanding of the historic city of Lincoln. Designed by local and national artists to raise money for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, a trail of 30 colourful Lincoln Imp sculptures can be found throughout the city. The Lincoln Imp is of particular importance to the city as it has stood in Lincoln Cathedral for centuries.
Also new to Lincoln is The Cornhill Quarter a new £70million retail and leisure development near the train station. Along with all the mainstays of any town centre, Cornhill Quarter boasts a number of unique independent shops which adds to the city’s character and charm. It is a must-see and a haven for those who love to shop – or even just have a nibble!
Foodie Delights
No visit to Lincolnshire is complete without stocking up at Redhill Farm Shop. The farm shop serves locally grown free-range pork, lamb, grass-fed beef, eggs, and much more. Everything is made by hand in the butchery, bakery, and smokehouse on the farm. It comes as no surprise that their daily fresh produce is Great Taste Award winning, so it is a definite must-do for all foodies.
With stunning views over the longest coastline in Britain, Lincolnshire also boasts the UK’s best fish and chips. The Burton Road Chippy was named the best Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year 2015. It also won the award for Eastern England’s best fish and chips takeaway. The chippy is just a short walk away from Lincoln Cathedral – perfect to enjoy while admiring the spectacular views. The menu also caters for vegetarians!
Where to Stay in Lincolnshire
The perfect base for exploring Lincolnshire is the 45-acre Bainland Country Park. With its collection of self-catering lodges ranging from cosy cabins and glamping tents to luxurious lakeside retreats and glamourous 12-bedroom lodges with private heating swimming pool, Bainland offers a range of accommodation options which are family-friendly, group-friendly and dog-friendly too. All of the lodges come with al fresco hot tubs, outdoor firepits and beautifully designed interiors. Located at the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Bainland really is the ideal location for a Lincolnshire stay.
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