If you’re looking for fun things to do in Lincolnshire, we’ve got some great suggestions!
From active adventures in the countryside to chilled days out exploring the city, you’ll find something to entertain the whole family. As the weather can often be unpredictable, we have included a selection of both indoor and outdoor activities.
You can read our full range of ideas below, or use the handy menu to navigate directly to your interests:
Bransby Horses
Lincolnshire-based equine charity Bransby Horses is home to over 300 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Situated just 20 minutes from Lincoln, visitors to the centre will have the chance to meet some of the animals, learn more about their past and find out how they are progressing.
As Bransby Horses is set within 600 acres of beautiful countryside, there are miles of scenic pathways to explore, as well as a great café if you need to refuel with a hot chocolate. The centre has also recently opened a brand-new playpark, complete with a dedicated toddler area, slides, swings and climbing frames. Pony mad children will find something new each month at Bransby Horses with plenty of fun and educational trails to get stuck into.
Doddington Hall
With acres of grounds to run around, Doddington Hall is a great place to go with children. The beautiful gardens here are full of things to see, and there are lots of hidden corners to explore!
No matter what time of the year you visit Doddington, there will be an abundance of flowers, plants and trees in bloom. Look out for some of the resident wildlife and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the season!
If you’ve got an adventurer on your hands, you can also go out and explore the Doddington Estate. Free to visit and open daily, there are four walking trails around the estate, each varying in length and terrain.
Rand Farm Park
Set in the heart of rural Lincolnshire, Rand Farm Park is one of the county’s leading attractions. This traditional farm is home to a huge range of farm animals and pets, that children can hold, feed and cuddle. In addition to the animals, Rand Farm Park also offers a variety of activities for children, including a soft play area, an outdoor adventure park and live animal demonstrations.
Rand Farm Park also host seasonal activities throughout the year, so whenever you visit you’ll find something new to see and do. If you find yourself visiting a lot, it may be worth investing in an annual membership. Costing £75 per person, membership allows you unlimited access to the park, priority booking for events and discounts in the shop and café for an entire year!
Belton Estate
Just on the outskirts of Grantham, the Belton Estate is a fab choice for a family day out. There are acres and acres of grounds to explore, with something for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age.
Whether you’d prefer to run wild through the woodland, look out for wildlife around the lake or stop and smell the roses in the manicured gardens, there is plenty to see and do. Venture out into the surrounding parkland and you may even spot some of Belton’s resident deer!
Although the house itself is generally closed from January to March, the estate is open all year round. There is a great café onsite, as well as a couple of shops and an indoor play area, if you need to take shelter on a rainy day.
Just a stone’s throw from the house, you will also find an incredible outdoor playground. Set within a historic wilderness and arboretum, Belton’s adventure playground, complete with miniature train, promise hours of glorious muddy fun.
Curious about Lincoln Walks
Explore, discover and enjoy the city with the self-guided ‘Curious about Lincoln’ walks.
There are two heritage trails to follow, with an optional treasure hunt element. Full of things to look out for, these fun-filled walks encourage children to engage with their surroundings. Most clues are chosen for their historical value, so you’ll learn about the diverse culture, significant people and extraordinary events which have influenced Lincoln in becoming the city it is today.
The Curious about Lincoln walks are unsupervised, so you can go at a pace which suits you. The two walks have been designed so that the second one follows on from where the first one ends. Do both, or have a breather and try the second one another day! They both start and finish in the heart of the city - so accessibility isn’t an issue.
If you want to have a go, you can order a printed booklet for £7.99, or download a PDF copy for £7.49. You’re then free to revisit the trail and activities as many times as you want! For more information, visit the Curious about Lincoln website.
Lincoln’s Green Spaces
There are a number of fantastic parks and gardens in and around Lincoln, perfect for outdoor activities in the sunshine. Peaceful green spaces such as Liquorice Park, Ashing Lane Nature Reserve and Hanworth Country Park are great for walking trails, wildlife watching and learning more about the environment. Larger parks like the Arboretum, Boultham Park and Hartsholme Country Park have plenty of space to run around and have some fun.
During the school holidays, a number of the parks in Lincoln also host weekly workshops for children to enjoy. Taking place on selected days, these fun-filled workshops are a great excuse to spend time outdoors - and learn something new about nature.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
Situated just 15 minutes south of Skegness, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park has something to suit all ages. Set within 20 acres of landscaped grounds, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including endangered species. There is an amazing array of animals to see, from mammals and birds, to reptiles and amphibians. You can see a variety of big cats here too, including Bengal Tigers, White Lions and Pumas. There is also a ‘National Parrot Sanctuary’, which houses over 1000 re-homed Parrots & Parakeets.
Wild Pines Park
Situated in heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, near Market Rasen, Wild Pines Park offers one of the largest ropes courses in the UK, with challenging and exciting activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy over 1000 metres of high tree adventures, tackling anything from zip line courses to swinging walkways. There are a variety of courses to try, all varying in difficulty - and height!
For those who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground, Wild Pines also offer a number of fun treasure hunts to try. Earlier this year, the park launched a brand new Bear Hunt. Visitors can take a wonderful trip around the woods with lots to explore and find; Search for bears, bees, squirrels and more. Accompanied by Wild Pines very own children’s book, the Bear Hunt provides an hour of fun and discovery for little ones (and the not so little ones!)
J&J Alpacas
If you’re looking for an unforgettable day out, J&J Alpacas is the place to be! Home to over 90 alpacas, this family-run business offers a range of hands-on experiences.
With a meet and greet experience, visitors will have the chance to get up close and watch the alpacas in their paddocks. Suitable for all ages, you will be taken into the fields by an experienced guide to meet the alpacas, feed them and, of course, take lots of photos.
Alternatively, you can take part in a trekking experience, where you will be able to take one of the alpacas on a walk through the countryside. Each trek will be led by an expert guide, who will teach you more about the animals along the way. The farm itself is free to visit, so even if you don’t want to take part in an experience, you can still come and see the alpacas as they roam around the countryside.
Go Ape
If you’re feeling daring, why not test your nerves with a trip to Go Ape at Normanby Hall. With treetop challenges, sky high ziplines and thrilling high rope adventures, Go Ape is the perfect place for kids to burn off energy and let off some steam.
Tackling the adventure courses here is a great team-building exercise for both families and friendship groups - we guarantee this is an experience you won’t forget!
- Treetop Adventure is for the littlest monkeys! There is no age limit, you just need to be at least 1 metre tall. Children will experience the thrill of the climb, and you will see how amazing the transformation in their confidence is once they realise the heights they can get to on their own. Alternatively, take the whole family up onto the course and encourage each other along!
- Treetop Challenge is, well, a bit more of a challenge! Suitable for children over 10, this experience is for anybody who is seeking to push their limits. With 5 sections to complete, the challenges get higher and higher - all finishing with a thrilling zip-line to the ground.
The fun doesn’t have to stop when your feet touch the ground at Go Ape. As it is situated within the grounds of Normanby Hall, you can continue your day with a number of activity trails that will get you all out and about exploring the park.
Take a walk through the Deer Park or head over to the well-stocked fishing lake if you’re a fishing enthusiast. When you need to refuel and relax, stop by the café for refreshments.
Ashling Lane Nature Reserve Trail
The Ashling Lane Nature Reserve can be found in the village of Dunholme, around 4 miles outside of Lincoln. Covering around 77 acres of land, the reserve was originally designed to encourage wildlife into the local area – and it worked! The wild meadows, ponds and woodlands here now provide habitats for a huge range of animals, birds and insects.
To help you explore, a nature trail has been developed around the reserve, using marker posts, information boards and tree leaf labels. Perfect for inquisitive children who love to learn, there is also a downloadable leaflet which is full of fun facts and questions to answer along the way.
Lincoln Mystery Treasure Trail
The Lincoln Mystery Treasure Trail is a fab challenge for the whole family to enjoy. Even if you’re local to the area, this self-guided walking trail is a brilliant way to explore Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter.
The Mystery Treasure Trail will take you on a 1.5 mile journey around Lincoln’s historic streets, with plenty of fun clues to figure out along the way. The answers are all based on permanent features in the city, such as quirky signs or interesting buildings, so you will have to keep your eyes peeled at all times!
To take part, you just need to download or print a map from the Treasure Trails website. Maps cost around £10 but can be shared and reused as many times as you want.
Lincoln Cathedral
No trip to Lincolnshire would be complete without a visit to Lincoln Cathedral! Full of fascinating art, history and culture, the Cathedral has something for every age group - even young children will love exploring this enormous building!
As well as offering learning opportunities, the Cathedral is great for children wanting to practise photography or drawing - with so much to see, it is impossible to not be inspired here! Children will also love seeking out all the funny faces that are carved into the stonework around the building. For a fun challenge, see how many gargoyles they can find - bonus points for whoever spots the famous Lincoln Imp first.
Lincoln Castle
Packed with things to see and do, Lincoln Castle is the perfect place for a family day out. You can scale the heights of the Medieval Wall Walk, follow in the footsteps of convicts in the Victorian Prison or simply immerse yourself in the incredible history of the castle.
Visitors purchasing a Castle Day Ticket are entitled to a free guided tour of the bailey of the castle, which is led by a specialist guide. If you haven’t visited before, this tour offers a fantastic introduction to the castle, and an insight into its colourful past. There are also activity sheets available for children - designed to educate and entertain!
Entry to the castle grounds is free, so if you’d rather just spend time outdoors you don’t have to worry about purchasing a ticket. There is also a café onsite, offering a selection of delicious drinks and snacks. On a sunny day, grab a takeaway and you can enjoy it in the beautiful grounds, surrounded by history.
Lincoln Central Library
Situated in the heart of the city centre, Lincoln Central Library is the perfect place to entertain inquisitive minds. Their vast array of books allow imaginations to run wild and creativity to flow - and there are plenty of reading corners to settle down in. Throughout the week, you will also find a variety of activities on offer, ranging from sensory play to Lego club.
Jump Inc
The perfect option for kids bursting with energy, Jump Inc is an action-packed urban playground. With huge slides, trampolines and inflatable obstacle courses, this amazing park is packed with thrills and excitement.
With over 30,000sq ft to discover, Jump Inc provides plenty of fun for all ages. Teenagers will enjoy the more adrenaline-fuelled challenges, like the ninja courses, whilst little ones can be left to enjoy the designated toddler areas.
If you want to make a day of it, you can upgrade your bounce by just £2 to get a HUGE slice of pizza and a soda with their Eat, Drink, Jump deal. To make things even better, Jump also offer a money-saving option for groups - so the whole family can get involved!
The Lincoln Museum
The Lincoln Museum is an award-winning museum, located in the heart of the city’s Cultural Quarter. The museum hosts a fantastic variety of history and art exhibitions throughout the year, alongside permanent displays highlighting Lincolnshire’s fascinating heritage.
Perfect for older children, the archaeology gallery within the museum tells the story of Lincolnshire’s past, through hands-on activities, artefact displays and interactive games. For younger visitors, PLAY is an activity-filled space designed to encourage learning through play. With art supplies, toys, books and games on offer, children can enjoy hours of fun.
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life
Housed in a Victorian barracks, The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is the largest and most diverse community museum in the county. The exhibitions here celebrate Lincolnshire’s rich and varied history, dating back to 1750.
Suitable for both adults and children, the museum offers a fascinating insight into Lincolnshire’s past - touching on commercial, domestic, agricultural, industrial and community life. You will have the chance to learn more about the county’s past and the people that lived here - you might even discover something about your own family!
With nearly 250,000 objects on display, it’s safe to say there is plenty to see and do here. In addition to the general exhibition space, there are also some amazing room sets to explore, which help bring the story of Lincolnshire to life.
Play Avenue
Situated close to Scunthorpe, Play Avenue is an imaginative role play centre for children. Filled with amazing props and furnishings, this magical world allows children to explore their imagination and play at being ‘grown-up’. There are 15 different role play areas to explore, which are all kitted out with a variety of realistic props. Children will have the chance to try their hand at a whole host of jobs - from police officers to hair stylists!
The No Work Club
For teens who need to let off some steam, The No Work Club should do the trick. Formerly known as Axed Lincoln, this multi-activity venue is the ideal place to unleash your competitive spirit.
Axe Throwing: Suitable for anyone over 10 years old, axe throwing is definitely an escape from the boring routine of school! Depending on group size, you can book either a 60 or 90-minute axe throwing session. There are interactive smart lanes here, so you have more than just a traditional target to aim for, you can also have a go at a variety of innovative games and competitions.
(If arming your child with an axe sounds dangerous, don’t worry. Everyone taking part has to undergo a safety briefing before they start, and an expert guide will be on hand throughout your session to help with coaching and technique tips.)
Escape Rooms: If you want to test your wits and challenge your mind, The No Work Club has 6 themed escape rooms to try. Offering a fully immersive experience, these creative rooms will test your problem-solving ability and your teamwork skills. This activity is a great way to get teens working together and thinking outside the box!
Crazy Golf: If you fancy something a bit more relaxing, The No Work Club is also home to a brilliant crazy golf course. Suitable for players of all ages, this 18-hole course is guaranteed to get everyone laughing. With plenty of selfie spots and TikTok-worthy content to grab, the whole family can capture some unforgettable moments.
If you can’t agree on what to play, or you have a tiebreak to settle, The No Work Club also boasts a selection of low-key, arcade-style games. You’ll find shuffleboard, interactive darts, beer pong tables, air hockey and pool - just grab a drink from the bar and get stuck in!
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