By Amelia Cosgrove
We know that planning a day out with your dog can sometimes feel like a bit of a gamble - will the café welcome your pet inside or can they join you at a tourst attraction?
The good news is that Lincoln is full of places that welcome four-legged visitors with open arms. From scenic walks and historic landmarks to independent shops, cosy cafés and plenty of opportunities for a well-earned treat, there's something for both you and your pup to enjoy.
We want to see more dogs padding along our cobbled streets, sniffing out hidden corners of the city and joining their owners for puppuccino dates beneath centuries of history. To help you plan your perfect visit, Maggie and I spent a Sunday exploring some of our favourite cost-and-dog-friendly spots in Lincoln.
West Common
Our first stop was West Common - I couldn't believe how quiet it was. Just minutes from the city centre, it feels a world away from the bustle of Lincoln, with acres of open space for ball chasing, sniffing adventures and the occasional zoomie (or "razzie", as my family calls them).
We grazed alongside the horses and soaked up the greenery - the perfect start to our dog-friendly day out.
Up the Steep Hill
After working up an appetite on the Common, it was time to tackle Lincoln's most famous incline: Steep Hill. We made sure not to wear Maggie out too early - we knew what was waiting for us.
Recently named the prettiest street in England by The Telegraph (and no, I won't stop mentioning it). The cobbled street is lined with independent shops, welcoming cafés and plenty of dog-friendly businesses, making it just as enjoyable for four-legged visitors as it is for their owners.
By the time we reached the top, there was plenty of panting and a few tongues hanging out, but the effort was well worth it. Our reward was waiting for us at Hobbsons Pie Shop - the sausage rolls here are the stuff of local legends - enormous, golden and gloriously indulgent. Naturally, we got one each (yes, one each), and although dogs are welcome, we decided to find a sunny spot to perch in the Cathedral grounds to enjoy our crumbling pastry galore.
Top to Tail - Lincoln's Dog Boutique
Just up the hill we popped into Top to Tail, an independent dog boutique that's become something of a must-visit for anyone exploring Lincoln with a four-legged friend. Dogs are very much welcome inside - this is their shop as much as yours. The shop carefully curates’ high-quality treats and doggy accessories - everything is chosen with comfort and style in mind. It didn't take Maggie long to find the treat selection, and we couldn't resist taking home a bag of Hugo & Co goodies.
Sunday Antiques Market at Castle Square
Just at the top of the hill in Castle Square, was the Sunday antiques market. Stalls of vintage finds, curious collectables and the odd proper goldmine - all sitting between the Castle and Cathedral. Maggie took her role as chief explorer very seriously, guiding me from stall to stall with impressive determination. Whether she was hunting for hidden treasures or just following her nose, I'm not sure - but she was adamant that we spend some time at the vintage vinyl stand. Who am I to complain?
Puppuccino
With an abundance of dog-friendly cafes and pubs uphill, we decided to round off the afternoon at Coffee by the Arch, nestled at the foot of the Bailgate beside the Roman Newport Arch - one of Britain's best-preserved Roman monuments, still standing nearly two millennia’s after it was built. The coffee is excellent (they roast their own beans), and the tables outside are invariably occupied by contented customers soaking up the atmosphere. For me, it was a flat white crowned with beautiful latte art; for Maggie, a puppuccino - an official menu item and, judging by her enthusiasm, a firm favourite. It felt like a well-earned doggy date. One treat later, we were both sporting matching milk moustaches.
Heat warning for delicate paws
Hot weather has set in over Lincoln, like the rest of the country, so it’s best to take care of your four-legged friends in the high temperatures. If it’s hitting 25ºC for air temperatures pavements can get much hotter – a quick rule of thumb is to hold your own hand on the paving and if it’s too hot to hold after 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.