30 free things to do in Lincoln and Lincolnshire

The Stonebow is one of the most important late medieval gateways still standing in England. Although you may well have walked underneath it, you may not have realised what is inside! Occupying the second floor of the Stonebow is the Guildhall, one of the oldest Civic Offices in Britain. Home to the City Council since 1237, the Guildhall still plays host to council meetings and events today.

Awarded a Visit England Attraction Accolade for Best Told Story, the Guildhall is absolutely packed with history. It houses numerous pieces of regalia, including Royal Charters, the sword of Richard II and the Mayor’s Chains of Office. Free guided tours are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30am and 2pm.

Situated on Burton Road, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life is the largest and most diverse community museum in the county. Free to visit, the museum celebrates the diverse culture and social history of Lincolnshire, dating back to the 1700s. The exhibitions here offer a fascinating insight into commercial, military, domestic, agricultural and industrial life in the county.

Covering more than 200 acres, Hartsholme Country Park is a peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Lincoln. This Green Flag Award-winning park is home to Victorian landscaped gardens, a large reservoir, woodlands and grasslands. You will find a variety of walking and cycling trails to try - and plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting! Explore the park at your own leisure, or pick up a map from the Hartsholme Visitor Centre. There is a café within the grounds, and plenty of picturesque picnic spots if you want to bring your own refreshments.

The Royal Air Force College in Cranwell is one of the most famous landmarks in RAF history. The Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum showcases the story of this historic establishment, from its early days as a Royal Naval Air Service base to the present day. Visitors can enjoy a programme of exhibitions exploring the wealth of aviation’s remarkable heritage, as well as a series of special events throughout the year. The museum houses a permanent collection of artefacts and interactive exhibits, including a Jet Provost flight simulator and Vampire T11 Cockpit.

Whisby Nature Park is a beautiful landscape near Lincoln, full of wildlife, walks and trails. Once a lifeless gravel pit, Whisby Nature Park is now managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who have transformed the area into a fantastic habitat. The once barren land is full of trees, plants and flowers, whilst old gravel pits have been repurposed into lakes and ponds, abound with waterfowl and amphibians. There is an extensive network of walking trails to explore, many of which also feature birdwatching hides - perfect for observing some of the park’s feathered residents!

Just 20 minutes from Lincoln, Bransby Horses is one of the UK’s largest charities for equine welfare. Spread over 600 acres of beautiful countryside, Bransby is home to hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. There are miles of dog-friendly walking trails to explore, as well as a café, gift shop, play park and picnic area on-site. Admission is free, although donations are gratefully received.

Situated in Sleaford, this award-winning working watermill is thought to be the only Sheriff’s Watermill still operating in England. Millers have produced flour on this site for over a thousand years, using the power of the River Slea. Pay a visit today to see the flour being ground in the same way it has been for 200 years, and you can even buy some to take home and bake with yourself. Events are held throughout the year alongside the monthly milling days, special events and weekly wheel turning.

Cogglesford Mill is just a short walk from Navigation House. Visit both for a fantastic background on the history on what was once a thriving riverside industry.

Hill Holt Wood is a hidden gem situated just 10 miles outside of Lincoln. Although it is first and foremost a woodland, Hill Holt Wood is also a social enterprise with charitable status. The team here work with the local community to create a better environment, provide employment and reach out to those in need. They host a series of education and training programmes, as well as running forestry, eco-design and building courses. Although Hill Holt is a working wood, the woodland is open to visitors everyday. There are some fantastic walking trails here, with a variety of different things to look out for along the way.

The International Bomber Command Centre is a memorial and interpretation centre telling the story of the RAF Bomber Command. The centre delivers the most comprehensive coverage of Bomber Command globally, including the contribution and effect on over 60 nations. The IBCC includes a memorial spire, memorial walls and two peace gardens, all of which are free to visit. You can explore the grounds at your own pace, or join one of the free guided tours to find out more.

In 2022, Boultham Park was one of 3 Lincoln parks that won a prestigious Green Flag Award - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. Located just south of Lincoln city centre, this beautiful park has something for everyone. There are wooded walking trails to explore, picturesque spots for wildlife watching and a children’s play area for little ones. Pack a picnic or stop by the park’s café - this cosy space is run by Linkage, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities.

Harding House Gallery is a unique exhibition space, run by a diverse group of local artists and makers. Located on Lincoln’s infamous Steep Hill, the gallery exhibits a permanent selection of work by established artists from across the country. Ceramics, glass, jewellery, prints, paintings and textiles are all displayed alongside original work by Harding House members. There is also a second gallery space upstairs, which hosts guest artists and temporary exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see!

Welbourne Forge is located in the heart of the village of Welbourn, around half an hour’s drive from Lincoln. This fascinating Victorian forge has served the needs of farmers and tradesmen in the area for more than 100 years. The forge is fired up on the first Saturday of the month, giving visitors the chance to learn more about traditional ironworking and watch smithing demonstrations. There are also old photographs, original tools, memorabilia and a restored earth privy on display.

Lincoln Central Library is located in the city centre, just a short walk from the Cornhill Quarter. The library has a huge range of books available, for both adults and children. Access to books and computers is free, and there are plenty of quiet reading corners and study areas to enjoy. There is also an exhibition space inside, which often features work from local artists and photographers.

The Lincolnshire Wolds are located in the north east quarter of the county, just a short drive from the city of Lincoln. Home to rolling hills, winding valleys and picturesque villages, this unspoiled stretch of countryside was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1973. A must-visit for outdoor adventurers, the Wolds are great for walking, cycling and wildlife watching.

The South Common is an enormous stretch of common land, situated in the south of Lincoln. There are areas of flat grassland to explore, as well as ponds, woodland and wildlife to look out for. Enjoy a peaceful walk or simply sit back and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. As the South Common is situated on a hill, the park offers the most amazing views across the city - see how many of Lincoln’s landmarks you can spot!

The West Common is a huge green space that runs alongside Carholme Road, heading west out of Lincoln. This impressive expanse of land covers over 100 hectares, so you can easily spend a good few hours exploring. There is an abundance of wildlife to look out for, the most noticeable of which is horses. Horses can be found grazing across the common, and owners often use the open space to ride and train them too. You’ll also find football pitches and tennis courts on the West Common, which are both free to use.

The Lincoln Free Walking Tour is a great way to explore the city, and discover some hidden gems along the way! Filled with interesting facts, stories and anecdotes, this fun and informative tour offers a great insight into the history and architecture of Lincoln. If you want to explore the whole city, the original free walking tour is perfect. If you’re looking for something more specialised, the team also host a Roman Walking Tour and an Industry and Innovation tour - both of which are also free to attend!

Cycle or walk along this purpose build trail linking Lincoln and Boston lined with impressive structural art inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson. The 54km route begins in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral, travels through wide fenland landscapes and winds up in Boston, home to St Botolph’s Church, or ‘The Stump’, which boasts the highest tower of any parish church in the country.

Part of the Usher Gallery, Temple Gardens is a peaceful green space with rolling hills and contemporary sculptural art. Just north of the gardens is the Medieval Bishop’s Palace and the Cathedral, both stunning pieces of architecture to gaze upon whilst relaxing in the gardens.

Connecting a variety of public green spaces in the heart of Lincolnshire, Witham Valley Country Park covers around 40 square miles of high quality, unspoilt countryside. A must visit for anyone who enjoys walking, cycling and horse riding, the parks here are used for a wide range of sporting and leisure activities, including fishing and camping. There is also an 18-hole golf course, just a short distance from Lincoln city centre.

Witham Valley Country Park is home to various sites of scientific interest, as well as local wildlife sites, containing species of flora and fauna that are rare to Lincolnshire. The entire area is rich in biodiversity and provides a diverse habitat for a variety of plants, birds and insects.

Situated at the heart of Lincoln’s Cultural Quarter, The Usher Gallery is one of the region’s premier art galleries. Free to visit, the gallery houses an impressive selection of permanent exhibitions, alongside pieces on loan from national galleries. You will find pieces from some leading British and European artists on display, including works by L.S Lowry, Henry Moore and Grayson Perry. To complement their permanent collection, the Usher Gallery also hosts a varied programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

The Lincoln Museum is an award-winning attraction in the heart of the city’s Cultural Quarter. The museum celebrates the city’s history and heritage through a series of exhibitions, events and guided tours. The archaeology gallery here will take you on a journey through the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, before exploring the Roman, Saxon, Viking and Medieval eras. The Collection houses a wealth of permanent artefacts, as well as temporary exhibits throughout the year.

For children, there’s also Play at The Lincoln Museum. This free activity centre is full of fun things for younger children to do, including a safe play space for babies. There is also plenty to entertain older children, including interactives, mosaic making and trails to follow.

The Hub in Sleaford is the largest venue in the UK dedicated to the promotion, exhibition and celebration of the arts. It has spaces for workshops, classes in craft and design, and galleries showcasing the work of artists from around the country. Their newly refurbished café is a great place to enjoy a delicious coffee and slice of cake.

The Arboretum is a beautiful green space in Lincoln. With gardens, lakes and fountains to explore, this city centre park is perfect for a relaxing walk. The park was designed back in 1870, by the celebrated Victorian gardener, Edward Milner. In 2003, £3 million worth of restoration work was carried out on the park to return it to its former glory. Several of the Arboretum’s original features were reinstated during the renovations, including a huge stone lion and a Victorian bandstand.

Situated on Sleaford Wharf, this historic Grade II listed building is thought to be the only original canal company office of its kind still in existence. It has interactive exhibits suitable for all ages detailing the history of trade by canal and the development of the River Slea as an important trade route.

As Lincolnshire is on the East Coast, a trip to the seaside is a must. For family fun, popular coastal towns like Skegness, Cleethorpes and Mablethorpes have lots of things to see and do. For peaceful walks along the seafront, locations like Chapel St Leonards, Anderby Creek and Sutton-on-Sea are perfect. The vast beaches along the East Coast have plenty of space for children to run around and let off some steam, and most of them are also dog-friendly. Pack a picnic and you won’t have to spend a penny!

Between AD50-60 a legionary fortress was built by the Romans in Lincoln and the city became known as Lindum Colonia. The Lincoln Roman Trail will take you around the remains of the Roman city in the Cathedral Quarter and to The Collection where a display of more Roman artefacts can be found. There are also points of interest further south in the city to discover.

This digital trail is available online as an interactive smart-phone web app.

The grounds of Lincoln Castle are free to enter and explore on non-event days. All are welcome to enjoy a walk around this historic green space, and soak up the peaceful surroundings. There are benches dotted throughout the grounds which offer excellent views of the incredible buildings hidden within the castle walls, and the cathedral beyond. Look out for the Castle Stories on plaques on the floor throughout that tell the stories of the many people who have visited the castle over the years.

There are a number of free walks around the Doddington Hall estate varying in both length and terrain including:

• The Nature Walk, a walk through the woodland, parkland and the Doddington Gardens;
• The Avenue Walk, a longer walk that goes through the parkland surrounding the Hall towards the pyramid;
• The Fishpond Walk, a short walk that takes you through a meadow and around the Fishpond;
• The Circular Walk, a longer walk around the Doddington parkland and adjoining public footpaths.

You can pick a walks leaflet up from the Farm Shop or download a copy from the website.

Wyndham Park runs alongside the River Witham, just to the north of Grantham town centre. The park offers a wide range of facilities for young and old and offers the perfect start point for your cycle adventure. Pop into Cliff Edge Cycle Hire onsite and you’ll find a range of bikes available for hire, from tandems to children’s balance bikes (hire fee applies). The varied landscape here makes it a fantastic cycling destination for all ages and abilities.

Follow the riverside route to National Trust property Belton House and you can stop off for a coffee and a walk around Belton’s extensive grounds and gardens. (Free entry for National Trust members only)

Boasting a 16.12º gradient, Steep Hill has been named as the fourth steepest street in England by the Ordnance Survey. Although making your way up is a challenge, it is definitely worth the climb! This iconic hill is home to a fantastic array of independent businesses, from clothing and homeware boutiques to quaint tea rooms and chocolate shops. Take a leisurely stroll along the cobbles, admiring the characterful architecture along the way.