Underrated Spots To Discover in Lincolnshire: Uncovering The Hidden Highlights Of England
Unfolding over almost 7,000 km² of unspoilt countryside, postcard-perfect landscapes and stretches of pristine coastline complete with castles, cathedrals and stately homes, Lincolnshire is a quintessential English gem.
City Break In Lincoln: What To See In Lincoln Castle
Nestled in a gap in the Lincoln Edge, Lincoln is the only city in the county. Best known for its beautifully preserved historic buildings, the two dominating the city’s skyline, Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle, invite visitors to trace the city’s proud history from Roman times through to the present day.
Starting at Lincoln Castle, make a beeline for the refurbished Victorian Prison and immerse yourself in the grim “separate” system. Dress up as a prisoner or as a governor and explore life in the cells where men, women and children as young as eight were held for crimes ranging from stealing a waistcoat to highway robbery and murder. Discover their stories — what became of young John Cook who set fire to a haystack aged eight; or wretched Lucy Buxton, who murdered her illegitimate baby? All is revealed in the clink.
Aside from the prison, history buffs will be pleased to discover that the castle guards one of four remaining copies of the 1215 Magna Carta. A beacon of civil liberty and justice in Britain, the document was the first to put into writing that no man, not King nor government was above the law, preventing exploitation of power by the authorities.
City Break In Lincoln: What To See In Lincoln Cathedral
After exploring the castle grounds, take a short walk along Minster Yard to arrive at the grand cathedral. Once regarded as the tallest building on earth after the completion of its 160m-high spire, Lincoln Cathedral surpassed The Great Pyramids of Giza to tower over the rest of the world for 238 years until a storm sadly blew the spire down.
Today, the 14th-century gothic treasure offers unparalleled panoramas of the city from its rooftop — well worth a climb up the 300+ stairs! Alternatively, if you prefer to explore indoors, don’t forget to look out for the famed Lincoln Imp, who hides the upper reaches of the sanctuary.
A symbol of the city, the Imp is shrouded in myth. According to folklore, one day the Devil let out his young demons to play. After stopping in the nearby town of Chesterfield to twist the spire of St Mary and All Saints Church, two mischievous imps ventured to Lincoln to wreak havoc on the city’s stunning Cathedral. Once inside, an angel appeared and commanded them to stop. One escaped and is said to be found at St James’ Church in Grimsby but the other remained hurling insults and stones at the angel. The angel responded by casting the imp to stone. The takeaway from the legend? Bad behaviour inside the cathedral doesn’t go unpunished.
Seaside Stopover in Skegness
Lincolnshire’s coastline is graced by miles and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches. Among the popular spots, Skegness’ seaside is a winner having welcomed scores of tourists seeking a traditional British beach break for years.
Offering something for everyone on a day trip, head to the Blue Flag Award-Winning beach to top up your tan or to the Fairy Dell paddling pool to let your little ones splash about in shallow waters.
Just a stone’s throw from the beach, the roller coasters at Fantasy Island are guaranteed to test even the bravest thrill-seekers’ nerves but if you prefer wildlife, head to Natureland to discover how orphaned baby seal pups are rescued and released back into the wild safely each year.
Regardless of how you chose to spend your day, remember, eating fish and chips at the pier is obligatory!
Explore The Countryside In Lincolnshire Wolds
Hidden valleys, sleepy stone villages and historic market towns welcome you to the Wolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a haven for visitors looking to enjoy the English countryside at its best.
Choose from a range of walks to suit your trekking ability and make your way to the King’s Head in the town of Tealby for a well-deserved pint. Established in 1367, it’s widely considered the oldest thatched pub in the county and a great place to try some of the region’s local delicacies including Plum Bread and Lincolnshire Sausage.
Alternatively, discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. Heritage steam trains currently run between Ludborough and North Thoresby, with plans to extend the route to Louth in development.
Discover heritage hotspots in Grantham
The birthplace of controversial Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and where Isaac Newton spent his formative years, the attractive town of Grantham is steeped in instrumental British history — starting in 1643 when it set the stage for Oliver Cromwell’s first win over Royalists during the English Civil War!
Read up on Margaret Thatcher’s early years at Grantham Museum and discover how the daughter of a greengrocer would go-on to lead the nation as the UK’s first female PM, or head to Woolsthorpe Manor to visit Newton’s childhood home and marvel at THE apple tree that inspired his thoughts on gravity.
For an alternative insight into the area’s history, why not visit the village of Bourne to party inside the Bowthorpe Oak, an ancient woodland survivor that has witnessed over 1,000 years of English revelry.
Standing in a paddock at Bowthorpe Farm, England’s oldest oak tree boasts an enormous girth of 40 feet, making it the largest in the UK and the ideal location for a gathering. In fact, intimate parties have been hosted within the hollow trunk for centuries with references dating back to the 1760s when the tree was smoothed out by the Squire of Bowthorpe to create a room inside in which he could entertain as many as 20 guests.
Culture and Creativity in Stamford
The star of the silver screen, the quaint streets of Stamford are very familiar with Hollywood’s location scouts. Not only was it the setting for the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen, scenes for the Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks were also shot here and around the county.
Other notable spots include Lincolnshire Cathedral which transformed into Westminster Abbey for the Da Vinci Code and for Emily Blunt’s Victoria for the coronation sequence. Additionally, the eerie and atmospheric Harlaxton Manor located on the outskirts of Grantham became the haunted house in the supernatural horror flick, The Haunting.
But culture isn’t restricted just to the cinema in Lincolnshire, Yellowbellies (Lincolnshire folk) know how to embrace the weird and wonderful too. If tree parties and stoned Imps weren’t enough, Lincolnshire also proudly hosts the world championships in cabbage hurling and egg-throwing annually. And for fans of costumed festivities, there’s nothing better than Lincoln’s Steampunk Festival — the biggest of its kind in the world.
Watch as the cobbled streets of the city transform into a live theatre for the Victorian Steampunk Society’s yearly festival fringed with top hats, flying goggles, and incredible inventions. If you time your trip for the event, be sure to try your hand at Tea Duelling where the rules are simple: biscuit swords must be dunked into hot tea, accompanied by the perfect ‘Nom’ to be victorious. Another favourite is Wacky Racers where contestants must drive their home-made, person-powered vehicle in a 120m race to the finish line. A great day out for all is guaranteed!
If these sound like fun, discover more quirky events in the midlands, and venture off-the-beaten-path.