The Lincolnshire Wolds are a slightly obscure gem in the English landscape that been kept something of a secret by those in the know for too long. When I was invited to explore the county on a press trip, I couldn’t think of a single famous Lincolnshire attraction and certainly didn’t know of any places to visit in Lincolnshire aside from Skegness!
It may not get much Instagram fanfare, but there are some wonderful days out in Lincolnshire for couples and families.
The scenic Wolds are the jewel in the county’s crown and while the area has always been popular among walkers, since 2020 it’s gaining a name with formerly indoorsy Brits who were forced to forego foreign holidays for escapes in England.
The Lincolnshire Wolds are the highest point in eastern England between Yorkshire and Kent. They’re a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the landscape provided a muse for former inhabitant and poet Alfred Lord Tennyson. So why aren’t more people shouting about this part of England?!
I spent a weekend in the Wolds exploring some of Lincolnshire’s best day out destinations. During my two day trip, I visited impressive castle ruins, historic market towns and seaside attractions. Here’s my pick of the best days out in Lincolnshire: the Wolds and beyond – that doesn’t include Lincoln!
Places to visit in & around the Lincolnshire Wolds
1. Chapel Six Marshes Beach
This sandy stretch of beach in Lincolnshire is perfect for a brisk walk to blow away the cobwebs this Autumn. Chapel Six Marshes Beach is miles long, almost untouched and perfect for dog walkers.
We weren’t blessed with great weather during our day out in Lincolnshire but this is one of those beaches that’s beautiful come rain or shine. You can collect shells on the beach and there’s a row of colourful beach huts that are fun to pose beside!
While you’re there, don’t miss the intriguing yellow ‘Sound Tower’ on the sand dunes. It was built by Structures On The Edge, a programme created to improve the Lincolnshire coast. You can climb inside and enjoy a different perspective of the waves as the sound of the wind reverberates around the tower. Kids will love it!
2. North Sea Observatory
Warm up after your beach walk with coffee and cake in this architecturally brilliant observatory.
The Seascape cafe is the perfect place to relax while you take in dramatic views of the North Sea. Their sweet treats are scrumptious and the main menu looked great, with plenty of choice.
The North Sea Observatory is the UK’s only purpose-built marine observatory so it’s one of the top places of interest in Lincolnshire. It’s just a bonus that there’s a fabulous cafe inside!
3. Bolingbroke Castle
I’ve learned that the beauty of staying in small inns and guesthouses in the UK is that you get to chat to the locals and get tips for visiting places you might not otherwise have stumbled upon. This was the case with the ruins of Bolingbroke Castle, a 13th century castle in Lincolnshire.
This hexagonal castle was the birthplace of King Henry IV. It was taken by Cromwell’s Parliamentarians in 1643.
It’s free to visit and there are helpful signposts showing how the original structure may have looked. This is a must-see castle in Lincolnshire!
4. Sutton-on-Sea
We drove through this seaside village on our way back to our hotel and just had to stop for a nosey around Knicks Knacks Antiques Emporium. Packed to the rafters with bric-a-brac and all manner of weird and wonderful items, this quirky shop is a treasure trove of stuff.
If you brave the steep narrow stairs, you’ll find room upon room of even more junk – ahem antiques, and you might just come away with a unique souvenir from your day out in Lincolnshire…
5. Alford
If you’re looking for somewhere new to visit near Skegness, Alford may appeal. It’s nestled between the Lincolnshire Wolds and the East coast and although quiet, it has its charms.
A pleasant stroll around Alford will reveal The Alford Manor House, a museum with tea rooms. It’s thought to be one of England’s largest thatched Manor Houses and it dates back to 1611.
6. Louth
The quaint market town of Louth is one of the most popular places to go in Lincolnshire for a day out. I loved the Georgian architecture.
Apparently, Louth is a foodie paradise – unless you visit on a Sunday like we did, when everything seemed to be closed! If you’re planning a day out in Louth, I recommend visiting on market day instead to see the town at its best.
You can’t miss St. James Church, which boasts the tallest parish spire in England, and The Cheese Shop in town.
7. Horncastle
Another picturesque market town in Lincolnshire, Horncastle is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Once famed for being a a centre of cockfights, Horncastle is best known these days for having the best antique shops in Lincolnshire.
You can see the remains of the Roman walls in the town library and explore the Walled Garden Baumber if you’re visiting Horncastle on a day out in Lincolnshire.
8. Mablethorpe
Second only to Skegness in terms of popularity, this beach destination was a bit of a washout on our day out in Lincolnshire unfortunately!
When the sun is shining, you can easily spend a whole day in Mablethorpe indulging in the delights of the British seaside: ice cream, fairground rides and brightly coloured beach huts galore. There’s even an inflatable water park and a train that chugs along the sand in the summer months!
Boasting a Blue Flag, Mablethorpe is one of the best beaches in Lincolnshire. It’s a popular place for promenade walks and there’s also a donkey sanctuary nearby.
If you’re looking for things to do in Lincolnshire on a rainy day, there are plenty of arcades and shops selling odd bits and bobs to kill time in when you’re visiting Mablethorpe.
9. The Lincolnshire Aviation Centre
Lincolnshire was known as Bomber County during WW2 because of the RAF bases that littered its flat landscape. This family-run museum pays homage to that history. It’s a memorial to the 55,500 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives during WW2.
You can see one of the rarest aircraft, an Avro Lancaster Bomber, in its collection along with many wartime vehicles including a Ford WOT1 Crew Bus, the only one of its kind known in existence.
This is a fascinating place to visit in Lincolnshire and a good option if you’re looking for things to see in Lincolnshire when it’s raining. They even have an original 1940’s Control Tower.
10. Snipe Dales Country Park
You can enjoy scenic woodland walks with views of the southern Lincolnshire Wolds in Snipe Dales. Take a picnic and set off on one of the marked paths around the Country Park and nature reserve.
There’s a 30 minute ‘There and Back’ trail if you don’t have much time in the park. If you have more time, follow the ‘Country Park Trail‘ – a one and a quarter mile circular walk through the Country Park woodlands; or the ‘Snipe Dales Round‘ – a three and a half mile circular walk through the reserve.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to keep your dog on a lead in the park.
11. Kinema in the Woods
One of the best places to go if it’s raining in the Lincolnshire Wolds is The Kinema in the Woods in Woodhall Spa. Dating back to 1922, it is the only fully functioning cinema in the UK to use back projection.
Originally a sports and entertainment pavilion, the cinema is a family-run business and something of an institution in Lincolnshire. There’s even a Compton Kinestra organ in The Kinema’s Screen One.
There are only two screens. Check what’s showing during your day out in Lincolnshire here.
12. The Bluestone Heath Road
If you’re looking for a way to see the Lincolnshire Wolds’ beauty without over exerting yourself, why not take a drive along Bluestone Heath Road? It’s an ancient route and ridgeway across the Lincolnshire Wolds that stretches for 14 miles from Candlesby to Caistor.
The road offers magnificent views across rolling chalk hills and valleys dotted with pretty hamlets to the west, and over to the sea in the east.
Places to eat in Lincolnshire
The Red Lion Inn at Partney was our stand-out meal from our trip to Lincolnshire. If you’re being extra cautious about eating out at the moment, I can promise you that you’ll feel completely at ease here. The tables are spaced out even further than current restrictions require of businesses and Chris, the owner, has always had an excellent hygiene rating.
The meal itself was incredible. Although they’re serving a reduced menu, there’s plenty of choice – even for those with dietary restrictions. The duck bonbons I got to start were delicious. My lamb shank was delightfully tender, Tom’s steak was mouthwatering and the jam sponge and homemade custard we shared for dessert was comfortingly reminiscent of school dinners from our childhoods.
The Red Lion Inn is a real gem for foodies visiting Lincolnshire so I recommend calling ahead to book a table, because they’re in high demand right now.
We stayed at the inn during our weekend in Lincolnshire – I’ve shared a mini review below!
Nothing screams day at the seaside like fish and chips, and the best chippy in Lincolnshire has got to be Salty’s in Mablethorpe. You can get cod or haddock with chips, bread and butter, peas and a cup of tea or coffee for £8.90 and they do a smaller portion for £5.90.
One of the best restaurants in Lincolnshire is The Splash at The Royal Oak in Louth. A fire was roaring in the bar when we tumbled in on a cold night and the place had a cosy, inviting ambience. The pub is located next to a gentle ford – hence the aquatic name. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal there.
If you’re visiting the Lincolnshire Wolds on a Sunday, I highly recommend booking a table at The Blue Bell Inn in Belchford for a comforting roast. Food is served from 12-2 on Sundays and alongside Sunday lunch, they serve some interesting specials including corn-fed chicken supreme and venison, as well as all the usual pub favourites.
Even if you’re only enjoying a quick day out in Lincolnshire, be sure to sample Lincolnshire Plum Loaf, which is a local delicacy.
Places to stay in Lincolnshire
The best Lincolnshire B&B
I can’t recommend the Red Lion Inn at Partney highly enough. This small B&B has just five rooms. Ours was located in a separate building behind the inn and was surprisingly huge. It was absolutely spotless and has a large shower and bath.
The beds were super comfortable and breakfast in the morning was fantastic – you order from a checklist the day before so your breakfast is ready for you in the morning and you get exactly what you want. I love this straightforward way of saving waste and keeping guests happy!
Glamping in Lincolnshire
If you’d like to go glamping in Lincolnshire, check out Wowcher for the latest deals.
You can find your ideal Lincolnshire accommodation using the booking.com box below.
Booking.comThe best time to visit Lincolnshire
As is the case with most places here in Blighty, the Lincolnshire Wolds and rugged coastline shine brightest in the summertime. Some of the seaside towns can look a little drab when the sky is grey, but that’s no different to anywhere else. We still found plenty of things to do in Lincolnshire during our October visit and providing you have a car to get around, you should be fine any time of the year.
If you visit Lincolnshire in August or September, you can see thousands of migrating swallows and house martins roosting in the reeds at Chapel Six Marshes Nature Reserve.
If you’re planning a day out in Lincolnshire in November or December, you’re in luck! The weather might be on your side but you might be able to witness grey seal pups being brought into the world! This natural spectacle takes place on the sand dunes in the Donna Nook Nature Reserve. You can find out more here.
I hope this blog post has given you plenty of inspiration for places to go in Lincolnshire and I’ve encouraged you to go and enjoy the unspoiled landscapes and spend some money with local businesses. If you need any other information, you can visit lincswolds.org.uk.
More UK travel inspiration
My Liverpool weekend break guide
Top things to do in Berwick-upon-Tweed
What to do on a girls’ trip to Manchester
My Lake District road trip itinerary
How to spend a perfect day in Knaresborough, Yorkshire
Fun things to do in Scarborough
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As mentioned at the beginning of this post, my weekend in Lincolnshire was a press trip. Views are my own. Please remember to follow current government guidelines (or better still, common sense) when planning days out in Lincolnshire and elsewhere.
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Sue says
I am from the UK & have to admit that I don’t think I’ve ever been to Lincolnshire. With the current climate I am looking for more places close to home to explore & the beaches here look lovely. I’ll add it to my list!
Sara says
I really enjoyed reading this post. Sounds like you had a great trip and I’ll definitely remember Lincolnshire Wolds for my next UK trip.
Nancy Hann says
This looks like a wonderfully relaxing adventure. I love visiting the coast in the off-season when the beaches are quiet and the sun is behind the clouds. Your dinner looks delicious too. I’d love to be there to see the seal pups. That would be a real treat.
Krista says
I haven’t made it down to Lincolnshire yet but your photos are making me want to plan a trip ASAP!
Cosette says
Lincolnshire looks like a great area to visit. Despite the rain you look like you had a good time.