You don’t need to spend a fortune to go out for the day in Lincolnshire! In fact, there are plenty of activities and visitor attractions which are completely free. If you’re in Lincolnshire and you find yourself with a whole day to fill, here are our top five ideas for free days out in the county. You won’t have to spend a penny!
1. Head to the seaside
Nothing beats a trip to the seaside and we’re glad to report that Lincolnshire has no shortage of seaside resorts! The county spans over 50 miles of coastline, and there are fantastic sandy beaches, tranquil nature reserves and great seaside resorts to explore.
Throughout the UK, the prestigious Blue Flag is awarded for cleanliness and quality. Lincolnshire has more Blue Flags than any other county on the east coast of England, and its beaches are family friendly too. The beaches of Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton on Sea have all been awarded prestigious Blue Flags, making for particularly good destinations for free days out in Lincolnshire.
If you’re looking for all the hustle and bustle of a traditional seaside resort, then Skegness, Ingoldmells and Cleethorpes are all great options. For those seeking the quiet life, make your way to Mablethorpe, Chapel St Leonards or Sutton on Sea. Indeed, these resorts are less popular, but no less beautiful. They’re ideal for those looking to relax and unwind at the beach.
Anderby Creek is another excellent place for those looking for a quiet day out at the beach. This spot on the coastline is totally unspoilt. You can’t beat a few relaxing hours spent lost in a good book at this beach.
Spending a day at the beach doesn’t have to cost anything. Pack a picnic, grab a bucket, spade, a good book, suntan lotion and a few toys for the kids – you have everything you need for a fun day out at the seaside. The only thing we can’t control, of course, is the British weather!
Lincolnshire also has fantastic nature reserves, including the excellent Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve on the banks of The Wash. There are so many fantastic beaches to choose from in Lincolnshire. That’s why we’ve included a trip to the seaside in our five free days out in Lincolnshire guide!
2. Visit Hubbard’s Hills near Louth
A remarkable area of natural beauty, Hubbard’s Hills is a picturesque park near the Lincolnshire town of Louth. The park itself is hugely popular all year round, but is particularly good on summer’s days.
The park has proved a hit with visitors of all ages, ideal for family days out, dog walking, picnics, romantic strolls and lazy afternoons with friends. There are plenty of things to do at Hubbard’s Hill, many of which are completely free of charge. You can follow a nature trail, paddle in the river, tuck into a picnic or play a game – all without spending any money at all.
When you’ve finished exploring the park, we highly recommend taking a trip to Louth. This lovely Georgian market town is well worth a visit, particularly if you’re a bit of a foodie. The town has been hailed by celebrity chef duo, The Hairy Bikers, as a “food mecca”. Of course, you may find yourself spending some money if you spot some of the delicacies on offer at Louth’s cafes and bakeries!
Try a trip to Hubbard’s Hills and Louth out for yourself and you will see why we’ve included it in our five free days out in Lincolnshire!
3. Explore the Lincolnshire Countryside
Lincolnshire is England’s second largest county, meaning there is a lot of countryside to explore! To make things easier, the country can be divided into three distinct areas: The Lincolnshire Wolds, The Lincolnshire Vales and The Lincolnshire Fens.
The Lincolnshire Wolds:
Located in Lincolnshire’s north east, this is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with gentle rolling countryside and lots of pretty villages. If you’re a keen walker, make sure you visit from mid-May to June to take part in the annual walking festival. This is a fantastic way to explore the area’s beautiful natural landscapes and stunning scenery.
The Viking Way passes through the Wolds, as does The Meridian Trail. Picturesque villages such as Tealby, Donnington on Bain and Welton le Wold are all excellent locations to start your walk. The historic market towns of Louth, Horncastle, Woodhall Spa and Market Rasen are also all close by and well worth visiting.
The Lincolnshire Vales:
There are areas which are just as beautiful in the south west of the county! The Lincolnshire Vales, too, has rolling hills and valleys and is home to many chocolate-box traditional Lincolnshire villages, ready and waiting to be explored.
The Lincolnshire Vales is an ideal location for cycling and walking, with lots of quiet roads and pretty villages. The area is easily accessible from London and the south via the A1 and also from the Midlands.
The Lincolnshire Fens:
Situated in the south east of the county, the Fens stretches into Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. It has its own unique landscape with flat, wide-open countryside, criss-crossed with drainage dykes and waterways that are havens for birds and wildfowl.
There are excellent nature reserves in the Lincolnshire Fens, at Willow Tree Fen and Baston & Thurlby Fens. The flat terrain of the Fens makes it ideal for cycling, too. The Fens are home to Deepings Route, which is a 31-mile cycle route through the fascinating fenland countryside. Of course, you don’t need to do the whole route, unless you’re out to rival Bradley Wiggins!
As well as incredible cycling routes, the Lincolnshire Fens is also home to some lovely market towns and villages, including Market Deeping, Spalding and Boston Fen.
4. Visit Stamford
Stamford is one of Lincolnshire’s loveliest towns and is certainly worth a visit. With stunning Georgian architecture and over 600 listed buildings made from mellow limestone, Stamford is a true gem.
Sir Walter Scott (of Ivanhoe fame) described Stamford as: ‘the finest stone town in England’ and in 1967, it became the first designated conservation area in England and Wales.
So, it may not surprise you that Stamford is a popular location for filming period dramas. George Elliot’s Middlemarch and the 2004 film version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (with Kiera Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland and Dame Judi Dench) were both filmed in the town. The Da Vinci Code was also filmed in and around Stamford; the area will be a hit with film buffs young and old.
If the weather is good, have a picnic in Stamford Meadows (it’s well signposted). Stamford Meadows is communal parkland in the town centre and has the lovely River Welland running alongside. It’s a great place to relax, plus you can take a stroll along the river.
There are plenty of places to visit in Stamford, which makes it an excellent free day out in Lincolnshire. Here are some of our top tips for exploring Stamford:
- Stamford Arts Centre is housed in what used to be the Stamford Assembly Rooms and dates back to 1727. This lovely building was used as a set both for the BBC’s production of Middlemarch and for Pride and Prejudice. Today it is an arts centre, theatre, cinema and exhibition hall. It also hosts workshops and has a café.
- All Saints’ Church is the parish church of Stamford. This beautiful church is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and is well worth a visit.
- Browne’s Hospital was originally built as an almshouse for the poor in 1475, although additions were made in the 1870s. The medieval parts are open to the public at weekends during the summer.
- Stamford’s Mid-Lent Fair is one of England’s largest street fairs and dates back nearly a thousand years. It arrives in Stamford the day after Mothering Sunday and lasts for five days. The fair has a great atmosphere, although you may be tempted to part with some of your cash!
5. Take a Trip to Lincoln
It costs nothing to explore the city’s beautiful Cathedral Quarter and there is plenty to see and do in Lincoln.
Admire the stunning architecture of Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle, or take yourself on a walking tour of Roman Lincoln. The area is well signposted and you can always call in at the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Square for extra help. Stroll under Newport Arch – the only Roman Arch still open to traffic.
Window shop on Bailgate and then walk down the picturesque, award-winning Steep Hill (you’ll soon find out why it got its name!). There is free entry to the The Collection/ Usher Gallery and The Museum of Lincolnshire Life – both are excellent museums with plenty to do for the whole family.
Take a look around the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory, located in The Lawn Visitor Centre, and see the exotic species collected by Joseph Banks when he accompanied Captain Cook on his voyage to Australia. If the weather is good, you can have a picnic on the adjoining grassy area – a fantastic open space in the centre of Lincoln.
We hope you have found our guide to the top five free days out in Lincolnshire helpful.
