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10 Things To Do In Lincolnshire For Free

Written By Ben Doyle

The Lincolnshire Coast

Going out for the day needn’t be expensive. Our 10 things to do in Lincolnshire For Free guide contains a wide cross-section of activities that are suitable for families, couples and singles alike. We think we’ve included some great ideas for a free day out in Lincolnshire – we hope you agree!


1. Cycle the Water Rail Way

The Water Rail Way is part of the National Cycle Path and is a largely traffic-free route along the old Lincoln – Boston railway line.

It offers 20 miles of off-road cycling/walking/horse riding and 13 miles of country lane cycling.

Much of the Water Rail Way is alongside the River Witham and is therefore a haven for wildlife.

Dotted along the off-road sections is Lincolnshire-themed artwork including work inspired by Tennyson’s poems, as well as Lincoln Red Cattle, Lincoln Longhorn Sheep and Lincolnshire Curly Coated Pigs.


2. Visit a nature reserve

Visiting a nature reserve is a great way to spend a few hours and reconnect with nature.

Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve in Skegness is on the banks of The Wash and covers over 3 miles of coastline.

There is plenty of wildlife to see and some excellent walks. Paths suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs are well signposted.

Take a picnic and enjoy your surroundings.

Kids’ activities run during the school holidays.

There is a small charge for using the car park.

Frampton Marsh Nature Reserve, located on the A16 between Boston and Kirton, is a coastal wetland reserve run by the RSPB.

Admission is free and it has some great facilities, including complementary use of hides, binoculars and telescopes.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff are on hand to help.


3. Explore Lincoln’s museums

Lincoln has some great museums, with lots of interactive displays to keep the whole family amused. If you thought museums were dull and boring, then think again!

To find what what life was like in byegone eras, then visit the excellent Museum Of Lincolnshire Life.

For art and archaeology, go to The Collection/Usher Gallery – this modern museum has lots to do and see, and is well worth a visit.

For something a bit more exotic, then why not visit The Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory? Located in the Lawn Visitor Centre on Union Road (opposite Lincoln Castle’s West Gate), it is home to many of the species collected by Joseph Banks, the 18th Century botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his journey to circumnavigate the globe.


4. Take a walk in Hubbard’s Hills

Hubbard’s Hills, located just outside the lovely market town of Louth, is a popular beauty spot and just perfect for all the family.

It is situated in a natural tree-lined valley and has walks of varying degrees of difficulty.

In the warmer weather, it is a great location for a picnic – take a rug as the picnic tables are soon gone.

The very shallow river runs alongside and is safe for paddling – but be careful if you use the stepping stones, as they can be quite slippy!


5. Spend an afternoon at the National Centre for Craft and Design in Sleaford

The National Centre for Craft and Design, otherwise known as ‘The Hub’ is England’s largest venue for the exhibition and promotion of contemporary craft and design.

With free admission, frequently changing exhibitions, demonstrations, and children’s activities, The Hub is an excellent way to spend an afternoon.

It is centrally located in Navigation Wharf and is great for children and adults alike.


6. For aviation enthusiasts – visit a Lincolnshire aviation museum

Lincolnshire has a long and fascinating link with the RAF and has 3 fantastic and quite diverse aviation museums that are free to visit: The RAF Scampton Museum; The Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre; and RAF Digby Ops Room.

RAF Scampton Heritage Centre, located at RAF Scampton on the A15, north of Lincoln, is home not just to The Red Arrows,but also 617 Squadron (The Dambusters) and the Avro Vulcan Bomber. It has an exciting story to tell, with over 400 artefacts housed in a WW2 hanger.

Admission is free, but because RAF Scampton is a working airbase, you have to pre-arrange your visit and take photo-ID along with you at the time of your visit. You will not be allowed onto the airbase if you have not pre-booked.

The Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre is situated next to RAF Cranwell (the RAF training college for pilots and officers) near Sleaford.

As well as telling the history of RAF Cranwell, it has some great interactive exhibits including a flight simulator.

RAF Digby Ops Room, near Scopwick, south of Lincoln, is situated in a WW2 bunker and replicates a typical day during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

It offers a fascinating trip back in time and is open from every Sunday from May – October.

There is no need to pre-book – just arrive in in plenty of time for the guided tour at 11am at the Sports Ground Car Park opposite RAF Digby’s main gate.


7. Go to the seaside

Lincolnshire has over 50 miles of coastline and lots of long, sandy beaches which are perfect for an old-fashioned bucket and spade day out.

4 of the beaches – at Cleethorpes, Mabelthorpe, Skegness and Sutton-on-Sea – were awarded prestigious Blue Flags (for cleanliness and purity of water) in 2013!


8. Explore the Lincolnshire Wolds

The Lincolnshire Wolds is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with gentle rolling countryside and lots of pretty villages.

It has an annual walking festival running from mid-May to the beginning of June, which is a good way of exploring its beauty.

The Viking Way passes through The Lincolnshire Wolds, as does The Meridian Trail.

Picturesque villages such as Tealby, Donnington on Bain and Welton le Wold are excellent locations to start your walk.


9. Visit Boston and walk in the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers

Boston played an important role in the creation of modern day America, with many of the leading Pilgrim Fathers leaving from this Lincolnshire port.

Visit the Boston Guildhall Museum and learn about the time the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned there. Go to Scotia Creek, just outside the town and see The Pilgrim Fathers’ Memorial, located at the spot where they were arrested as they tried to flee the country.

For more information about this and other free attractions in Boston, including the famous Boston Stump, please click here.


10. Check out Baysgarth House Museum

Baysgarth House Museum in Barton upon Humber is a beautiful Grade 2 listed Georgian house set in 30 acres of parkland. The main house has an impressive collection of 18th and 19th Century pottery and porcelain.

The old stable block is now an industrial museum that celebrates traditional craftsmen such as the blacksmith, cobbler and thatcher.

The stunning parkland is worth a visit by itself and is great for picnics!


We hope you will enjoy visiting the attractions listed in our 10 things to do in Lincolnshire for free! We’ve tried to include a cross range of activities that are suitable for the whole family.

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Ben Doyle

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