5 Unmissable Things To Do In Lincoln
There are many wonderful things to do in Lincoln. It is a vibrant city steeped in rich history spreading from deep within the city, all the way out to the countryside & coast. A number of its landmarks are incredibly famous, & there are plenty more smaller gems hidden away. Lincolnshire is full of charm & character, making it a cute long weekend away, as well as the perfect day out.
1. Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is mighty famous in the UK. When you are in the city, it is also kind of difficult to miss! Construction started in 1072 & resembles the Gothic style which was prominent during the Middle Ages. During this era, it was heralded as the world’s tallest building, a record which it held from 1311 for over 230 years. Today, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually & the cathedral has been a filming location for the Da Vinci Code, as well as an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henriad.
The cathedral offers a range of facilities for visitors & worshippers, & a day out at Lincoln Cathedral would make a great part of your outing. There is so much to see inside, such as the Blessed Virgin Mary statue, the fossils in the Nave floor, the Boole window, the organ and more! If you are planning to visit the cathedral, make sure to see what events are on. There is something for everyone, including concerts, exhibitions, theatre, dinner and many more. Why not go sightseeing with friends or explore the city with the family? There are many fabulous things to do in Lincoln.
2. Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle was constructed in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. In more modern times, it has been used as both a prison & court. Drenched deep in history, the prison was designed like an isolating regime, which kept prisoners separate from the corrupting influence of their other prisoners. Today, it is very much open to the public & the 360 degree views atop the castle walls boast grand scenes of the cathedral, city, & countryside. On a special note, the Magna Carter on display here is one of four surviving originals & you will be able to discover the Great Charter Wall & Barons Shields. More recently, it has even been a key filming location for the acclaimed Downton Abbey series.
Don’t forget to get a bite to eat at Langton’s café, which is located on the ground floor of the former Georgian gaol. The café is open to visitors, shoppers and those enjoying a quiet stroll around the grounds of the Lincoln Castle.
3. Doddington Hall and Gardens
Situated just to the west of the city, you will find Doddington Hall, a classic example of a fine English manor house. It is a stereotypical Elizabethan Prodigy house, complete with beautiful courtyards which boasts six acres of walled & wild garden.
The house was completed in 1600 & has never been sold or cleared out since, representing over 400 years of unbroken family history, resulting in fascinating collections of furniture, weaponry, paintings, ceramics, textiles, and household objects. So many objects have many stories, which makes Doddington Hall & Gardens a great place to visit and learn about. It offers a unique insight into family life through many ages and challenges.
Why not take a stroll around the spectacular gardens? There is so much to explore, including the Wild Gardens that are situated beyond the West Gardens. Doddington Hall offers many facilities such as the Farm Shop, bike shop, café, restaurant, coffee shop, home store, country clothing store & much more! The estate is also open to weddings & events, including concerts & exhibitions, which all increase public knowledge & access.
4. Museum of Lincolnshire Life
There are many exhibitions and displays at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, which illustrates commercial, agricultural, industrial & domestic life. The museum is home to an authentic WWI tank, housing interactive & educational galleries of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. This display helps people find information about family members who have served there.
If you plan to visit with children, there is a playground & a Children’s Trail for them to discover. It’s an excellent place to visit, full of educational information and history. The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is a great place to go with the family, which celebrated the culture of social history of Lincolnshire, from 1750 to the present day.
5. Hartsholme Country Park
Hartsholme Country Park is an award winning park, which contains Victorian landscaped gardens, a large reservoir, woodlands, & grasslands. There is also a Visitor Centre with many facilities, including a café.
There are many seasonal events which take place at the park, which are great for the whole family. Why not spend a morning sightseeing around Lincoln & relax for a picnic at Hartsholme Country Park? There is so much to discover in Lincoln, whether you are visiting or a shopping trip or if you fancy learning about the city’s history.
You will find the park entrance of Skellingthorpe Road (B1378), which is signposted off the A46.
Grab Your Lincoln Goods
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Top 5 Kid’s Things To Do In Lincoln
Your children will adore a day out in Lincoln. Take a ride on the North Scarle Miniature Railway, or enjoy a relaxing walk at one of the nature reserves. There are many things to keep the kids entertained, from pottery painting to animal farms!
1. Whisby Animal Centre
Whisby Animal Centre makes a perfect day out with the kids, as the centre offers a friendly, fun & relaxed environment for both visitors & its array of cute animals.
Explore the animal park & get up close to all the creatures, such as goats, ducks, chicken, parrots & more. Children will love spending time with their favourite animals! There is so much for children to do at the animal centre, including a large play area with a beach a& water play.
Don’t forget to visit the café & gift shop on the way out! There is so much animal fun to be had at Whisby Animal Centre!
2. The Little Pottery Studio
Your kids will love exploring their creative side at The Little Pottery Studio, where they can paint pottery such as race cars, animals, plant pots & more. They will love creating their own designs with their family or friends.
There are many events and workshops that take place at the pottery studio including, Baby Day workshops and Story Time Painting. Children will love getting messy and creative at The Little Pottery Studio, so why not join them on the weekend or during the school holidays? It’s not just for children, as adults can enjoy a relaxing paint too! Plus, the studio is located only five minutes from the beautiful city of Lincoln.
3. Original Lincoln Ghost Walk
Original Lincoln Ghost Walk is a costumed-guided tour through the spooky area of Lincoln. It is popular with both locals & visitors who want to learn all about Lincoln’s spooky past. For the tour, you don’t need to book, though you need to turn up at least 5-10 minutes before the departure time, which is 7pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday night. The tour leaves from the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Square.
Children will love ghost hunting around Lincoln. Perfect for a fine summer's eve or get in the Halloween spirit later in the year - just remember to wrap up!
4. Whisby Nature Park
The nature park offers fascinating tourist information, including fun guided walks led by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. There are many events that take place at the park, such as Whisby Nature Tots and Junior Wardens events that are on monthly – perfect for the under 5’s & 11 to 16’s.
Kids will go wild for a day out at Whisby Nature Park, which is full of fun features like nature exploration towers, earth tunnels, big sand pits & a mole’s eye view pod for watching minibeasts up close, as well as loads of more traditional play activities. Your children might also spot some wildlife in the park, so let them explore around with their friends. It is a great day out for the whole family, including well behaved dogs!
5. North Scarle Miniature Railway
The railway adventure takes you around the field, over a crossing past the new station & through a couple of tunnels, with beautiful scenery in between.
If you plan to visit the railway, make sure to check the running days. North Scarle Miniature Railway is a ground level, miniature railway track & over time it has been extended to 2,000ft to travel on. It makes the perfect day out with the kids, especially if they are young train enthusiasts!
Where To Eat In Lincoln?
Make the most of your trip to Lincoln and enjoy a meal out at one of these delicious restaurants!
1. Jews House Restaurant
2. The Bronze Pig
3. Ole Ole Tapas Bar and Restaurant
4. Rising Cafe - From the Rubble
5. Laguna Verde Restaurant
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