Even though I lived in the UK for over 6 years, there are plenty of places I haven’t explored yet. One place I’d been dying to revisit for years was Lincoln – I visited during my study abroad in Nottingham in September 2013, and had never been back! Lincoln is similar to York: a beautiful, historic, cathedral city. So, when the opportunity arose to visit a friend living there and do a bit of a roadtrip exploring Lincolnshire, I was so excited! If you only have a weekend, here are my top picks for what to see in Lincoln and the surrounding Lincolnshire area.
What to See in Lincoln
You could easily spend an entire weekend just in the city of Lincoln. There’s a lot of attractions and museums, plus a seemingly endless list of cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs to hop between. But if you only have a day, here’s what I recommend for one busy day exploring Lincoln!
Lincoln Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral dates back to 1072 – it rises above the city around it, making it the most recognizable landmark in the city. Inside, you can explore the beautiful nave, chapter house, and cloisters. If you’re lucky, you might time your visit right so that you can see the Medieval and Wren Libraries – I missed this and need to go back! Don’t miss the statue of the mischievous Lincoln Imp in the cathedral. There is an entry fee for admission.
Lincoln Castle
Discover 1000 years of history as you explore Lincoln Castle. While the castle grounds are open to the public (it’s an easy way to cut across town), there is an entry fee for admission for the rest of the buildings. The real draw here is seeing one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta of 1215 – this was such a highlight for me as a history nerd! The Medieval Wall Walk is another highlight of the castle. Some of the best views of Lincoln, and particularly the cathedral, are from the castle walls! You can also learn about the Victorian prison and unique prison chapel while in the castle. It’s well worth the admission fee.
Steep Hill
This charming, cobblestone street is the main route for the cathedral and the castle. It’s full of shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs, with plenty of photogenic and Instagrammable spots along the way. Just be warned – it is legitimately very steep, a 14% gradient, and one of the steepest streets in the country!
Newport Arch
This ancient archway was a Roman gate to the city of Lincoln, and dates back to the 3rd century. It’s one of the oldest arches still in use with active traffic in the UK. It’s the best-preserved Roman ruin left in the city, so make sure to check it out!
Lincoln Guildhall
This historic building dates back to the 16th century, and has been the home of the city’s local government since then. It’s impossible to miss as you walk down the High Street. They run free guided tours several days a week – check the Visit Lincoln site for updated hours here.
Stokes High Bridge Café
Not far from the Guildhall, you’ll find Stokes High Bridge Café. The building dates back to 1540, and the 1160 bridge over the River Witham is the only medieval bridge that still has houses on it in England. Their afternoon tea is meant to be excellent!
Museum of Lincolnshire Life
This small museum, located right outside the city center, is all about local Lincolnshire culture and commerce. The museum is housed in old Victorian military barracks, and has several interesting exhibits – including a World War I tank! It’s free to visit.
Brayford Waterfront
This is the oldest inland harbor in England, but today Brayford Waterfront is great for going out for food and drinks. There’s also a cinema here, as well as the University of Lincoln campus. Don’t miss the large mural in the tunnel along the river, coming from Stokes High Bridge Café and High Street. (That street used to be called the Glory Hole, but apparently they’ve now taken the sign down and renamed it – what a shame!)
Lincoln Ghost Walk
One of my favorite things I did during my visit to Lincoln was go on a ghost walk – I was there over Halloween, so it was especially spooky! The ghost walk visited several different spots around town, with the guide sharing lots of interesting stories about the city with excellent humor. I also loved getting to see the cathedral lit up at night as we walked around!
Drinks: Vice & Co
My favorite place that I went for drinks in Lincoln is the speakeasy Vice & Co. You enter through a deserted shop entrance to find an intimate cocktail bar – I absolutely loved this place. It’s small so it will get busy, booking in advance is a good idea.
What to Do in Lincolnshire
There’s a lot of Lincolnshire to explore, and it’s impossible to see and do it all in a day! My day road tripping around Lincolnshire focused on historic sites (castles) and walking in the Lincolnshire Wolds. I wish I’d had more time – I definitely want to come back and see more!
Tattershall Castle
This 15th-century castle is a must for anyone visiting Lincolnshire. There is a lot to see in the castle, including the exquisite Gothic fireplaces in the state rooms. The roof galleries have an incredible view over the Lincolnshire countryside, and you can clearly see the inner and outer moats. The castle is run by National Trust; there is an admission fee for entry.
Holy Trinity Collegiate Church, Tattershall
This may be just a parish church, but it’s the best Perpendicular church in Lincolnshire. It’s impossible to miss as you soak up the views from the top of Tattershall Castle! It also supposedly has the grave of Tom Thumb, the legend from folk stories. He supposedly died in 1620, according to the gravestone.
Horncastle
This pretty market town is definitely worth a stop in Lincolnshire. Just on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB, there are lots of antique shops, used bookstores, and charity shops to keep you busy. There’s also a pretty thatched pub, the King’s Head, on the Bull Ring. I really loved my brief visit here!
Bolingbroke Castle
This castle is just ruins now – it’s the birthplace of Henry of Bolingbroke, who went on to become King Henry IV. You can still get a good feel for the design of the 13th-century castle, with its gates, towers, and moat. Bolingbroke village is tiny, but has a few cute houses and a pretty village green.
Lincolnshire Wolds AONB: Nettleton
There’s far too much to see in the Lincolnshire Wolds in a day or even a full weekend. But as I wanted to get out for a short walk to see more of the area, I went for a short 5-mile loop around Nettleton, starting from the Ramblers car park. It was quiet – we didn’t see anyone else – but a nice walk through the pretty wolds and valleys. It follows the Viking Way for part of the walk, a 147-mile long-distance trail, and took 1 hour and 40 minutes altogether.
Planning Your Trip to Lincolnshire
Lincoln is connected by rail to other destinations in the Midlands, although there are few direct trains from London (you’ll probably need to change in Newark). I always recommend booking train tickets in advance on Trainline. Most of Lincoln city center is pedestrianized, so you likely won’t need a car to get around the city itself. A car will definitely come in handy for visiting more places around Lincolnshire, although bus 56 runs between Lincoln and Horncastle. Bus B5 runs between Lincoln and Tattershall. Humberside and East Midlands airports are the closest to Lincoln – I use Skyscanner to book flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
I definitely recommend basing yourself in Lincoln, just as there are so many options for accommodation here. Search for your stay using the map below!
I loved getting to revisit Lincoln, and explore more of the area, on this weekend getaway. There is a lot that I didn’t get the chance to do or see, but it just means another trip in the future! I hope this guide helps planning your visit to Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
Have you visited Lincoln or the Lincolnshire area before? What were your favorite spots?
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Chester: Northwest England’s Hidden Gem
10 Charming Towns to Visit in England
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