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English heritage and the national trust in lincolnshire.

The traditional county of Lincolnshire is the second largest in size after Yorkshire, but has only eight English Heritage and six National Trust properties – far, far fewer than in Yorkshire or the third largest county, Devon .

However some of these properties are among England’s finest examples of their architectural styles, for example, Gainsborough Old Hall and Belton House . Plus there are distinctive gardens to discover and intriguing historical ruins to explore.

During my summer holiday tour of Lincolnshire heritage properties, I was accompanied by a couple of my grandchildren. They seemed to very much enjoy this change of scene from the usual holiday fare of theme parks and fun factories.

• Gainsborough Old Hall takes pride of place among English Heritage properties in Lincolnshire. It is a very well preserved medieval manor house, partly brick and timber-framed, with an elaborate timber roof and a tower, supposedly haunted, giving views over the town.

• Thornton Abbey  was one of Britain’s richest Augustinian monasteries, but now all that remains is the massive fortified Gatehouse , plus a large area of ruins with little structure left.

This is another fun place for grandchildren. The gatehouse has narrow stairways and eerie passages leading into lofty chambers with hands-on activities, including matching monastic clothes to wooden figures. Behind the gatehouse, there is a large grassed area where the little ones can run around, and maybe carefully clamber over some of the lower ruins of the monastery.

• Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace, which dates back to 1163, is just a stone’s throw away from Lincoln Cathedral, yet many visitors to the cathedral pass by without noticing the palace. As well an interesting exhibition, their are great views over the city as you wander through the unusual gardens and a small vineyard. My grandchildren enjoyed trying on the medieval-style dressing-up clothes.

• St Peter’s Church in Barton-upon-Humber has an Anglo-Saxon tower and baptistry and is home to over 2800 burials dating from the 9th Century until Victorian times. An interactive exhibition, entitled Buried Lives, gives a fascinating insight into medieval lifestyles. For refreshment whilst in Barton, I headed down to the  Waters’ Edge Visitor Centre  and took in great views of the Humber Bridge, whilst my grandchildren fed the wide range of ducks and other bird-life around the Centre.

• Sibsey Trader Windmill dates back to 1877 and is, or rather was until January 2018, one of the most impressive working windmills in the country. Unfortunately, gales force winds led to the sails being removed for repair. However the six storey structure is still interesting to explore and the tearoom still offers stone-ground flour products.

The other three English Heritage sites, in Lincolnshire are really only for heritage enthusiasts in that they are very basic ruins. All three sites have free entry at any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Tattershall College – the stark ruins of a 15th Century grammar school for church choristers. Bolingbroke Castle – the ruined walls outlining a 13th Century hexagonal castle, reputedly the birthplace of the future King Henry IV.  Gainsthorpe Medieval Village – a collection of grassy ridges and hollows in a field – fun for the grandchildren to run around, but otherwise not that exciting.

• Belton House is the real McCoy in stately homes, with an impressive Carolean house to tour that gives a fascinating contrast between the upstairs and downstairs areas. As well as attractive formal gardens and an orangery, there are walks through landscaped grounds and around a couple of lakes.

I’m always pleasantly surprised, that even when the car park is overflowing, the longer walks are very peaceful with few people venturing far from the house.

And the grandchildren are not neglected – far from it. There is both a very large outdoor playground plus an indoor play area that is perfect for  a rainy day visit. This National Trust property is open throughout the year, unlike many of their properties which close between autumn and spring.

• Gunby Hall is more of a homely country house than a stately home, but there is still much of interest to see inside what was the family dwelling of the Massingberd family for over 250 years from 1700. However, for me, the gardens are the major draw to Gunby, particularly the formal walled area containing a vast array of flowers, fruit and vegetables. This contrasts beautifully with the wildflower meadows.

A three and half mile walk (or five minute car journey) from Gunby Hall gives access to the separate National Trust site known as  Gunby Hall Estate: Monksthorpe Chapel . To see inside this secluded 17th Century Baptist chapel, you need to collect a key from Gunby Hall.

• Woolsthorpe Manor is the perfect place to visit if you have budding scientists among your grandchildren. This 17th Century farmhouse is of interest in itself, but its connection with  Isaac Newton is what brings it alive. He was born here and worked within its walls and garden for many years. See the famous apple tree from which the falling apple is supposed to have suggested to Newton the idea of gravity.

• Tattershall Castle is a six storey red brick tower dating back to the 15th Century. There is not much to see inside, but my grandchildren enjoyed scurrying up the stairs to the battlements on the top with great panoramic views. Lincoln Cathedral, nearly 20 miles away, can be seen on a clear day.

• Grantham House is a townhouse dating back to 1380, but constantly remodelled over the following 400 years. It has an attractive riverside walled garden.

So both English Heritage and the  National Trust have some first-rate properties in Lincolnshire, although visiting all of them could prove very expensive, with entrance fees at anything up to £18 per person. The answer is to consider annual membership which is offered by both English Heritage and the National Trust .

For a guide as to which to join as a senior traveller, see: English Heritage versus National Trust – Which to join?

See also the following Historic Houses properties in Lincolnshire: Doddington Hall and Gardens and Elsham Hall Gardens .

POSTED 30th SEPTEMBER 2018 by STEVE HANSON

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

10 of the Best Historic Sites in Lincolnshire

From a medieval turf maze to a glorious 17th-century mansion, here are 10 unmissable heritage sites to visit in the county of lincolnshire..

Kyle Hoekstra

19 may 2022, @kylehoekstra.

Lincolnshire, a county in England’s East Midlands, boasts a sprawling North Sea coastline and a fascinating history.

From Lincoln Castle to Belton House, Lincolnshire is rich with historical sites to explore. Explore a mysterious medieval turf maze at Julian’s Bower, visit one of the best-preserved manor houses in England at Gainsborough Old Hall, or prospect the views from the exceptional Bomber Command memorial near Lincoln.

Here are 10 of the best historic sites in Lincoln.

1. Lincoln Castle

Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Lincoln Castle is one of England’s best-preserved and most impressive Norman castles.

One of only two English castles with two mottes, (the other being Lewes Castle in Sussex) it is the home to one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta, a recently-discovered church under the castle which pre-dates the Norman conquest, and a gruesome Victorian-era prison.

Visitors can take an immersive tour of the prison with films and touch-screen multimedia, or view the copy of the rare Magna Carta held there, where a widescreen cinema reconstructs the events leading up to its signing.

2. Julian’s Bower

Julian’s Bower is a medieval turf maze that sits high up on a rural hilltop in in North Lincolnshire, England. The maze is believed to date back to medieval times, although an air of mystery still surrounds it. The first record of the maze appears to be in the late 17th century in the diary of antiquarian Abraham de la Pryme.

The maze sits atop a hill overlooking the point where the River Trent and River Ouse meet: the Pennines and Peak District can even be seen on a clear day.

3. Belton House

Belton House is a historic 17th-century mansion house in Lincolnshire, whose stunning exterior and fascinating collections draw thousands of visitors a year.

Built between 1685 and 1688 in the Restoration style, Belton House was commissioned by John and Alice Brownlow. They gathered a group of master craftsmen, including chief joiner John Sturges who worked at Chatsworth, wrought-ironworker John Warren who worked at Denham Palace, and master mason William Stanton, who set about completing the couple’s grand plans.

The magnificent house that resulted would become the seat of the Brownlow family – and their heirs the Cust family – for over 300 years.

4. Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral is a stunning medieval structure thought to have once been the tallest building in the world. With its striking architecture and 1,000-year history, it is a must-see during any visit to Lincoln.

First consecrated in 1092, around 20 years after Lincoln was designated a seat of a bishopric, Lincoln Cathedral was the home of medieval Britain’s first Norman Bishop, Remigius.

Due to its many repairs and rebuilds Lincoln Cathedral boasts a wealth of architectural influences, from its medieval flying buttresses to the 17th-century Wren Library.

5. Gainsborough Old Hall

Gainsborough Old Hall is a 15th-century medieval manor house built by the Burgh family that has welcomed both royalty and religious reformers. Today, Gainsborough Old Hall is managed by English Heritage, who rank it “among the biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses in England”.

Except for its Elizabethan additions, much of Gainsborough Old Hall is in a remarkably similar state as when it was constructed in the 15th century. One of the best examples of its medieval features is the kitchen, which may be the most complete of its kind in the country, and holds two vast original fireplaces and two bread ovens.

6. International Bomber Command Centre

The International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln opened in 2018 with the aim of providing a permanent memorial and archive for those who served in Bomber Command during World War Two. The centre’s ‘spire’ is the UK’s tallest war memorial: a steel needle which stands at 31 metres.

27 RAF Bomber Command stations were based in Lincolnshire during World War Two. Almost half of the 125,000 people to serve with Bomber Command lost their lives in the conflict.

In addition to the memorial spire, the IBCC consists of the Chadwick Centre museum and peace garden. The museum houses exhibits on the history of Bomber Command, which includes personal belongings and stories of those who served.

7. Woolsthorpe Manor

Woolsthorpe Manor is a historic house located in the village of Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, England. The manor was the birthplace and home of Sir Isaac Newton from 1642 until 1696. The house is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public.

The original house at Woolsthorpe Manor was built in the late 16th century. The house was bought by Sir Isaac Newton’s great-grandfather, also named Isaac Newton. The younger Isaac Newton was born at Woolsthorpe Manor and lived there until he was 22 years old.

In 1696, Newton returned to Woolsthorpe Manor after a long absence. He spent the final years of his life at the manor, working on his theories of calculus and gravity. Visitors can see the room where Newton was born, as well as the garden where he is said to have observed gravity.

8. Tupholme Abbey

From its founding around 1160 until its closure by Henry VIII in 1536, Tupholme Abbey was home to canons belonging to the Premonstratensian Order. Tupholme itself means ‘the island of the sheep’. The abbey church is now in ruins. The most obvious surviving part of the abbey is the south wall of what was once the refectory, later used as part of a Tudor mansion, then an ornament for a later country house, and finally part of a farm.

The Tupholme Abbey site is located between the villages of Bardney and Bucknall, about 10 miles from Lincoln and just over a mile from the River Witham. The river once provided a busy trade link between Lincoln and Boston, which resulted in eight other abbeys concentrated in this part of the Witham Valley.

9. Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post

The Holbeach Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Underground Monitoring Post was a Cold War-era nuclear monitoring post located in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England. In the event that the risk of nuclear attack was significant, ROC members would occupy the post and monitor nuclear activity.

Today the bunker is maintained by the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire, who have furnished it with much of the equipment that would have been used inside. The site is intermittently open to the public.

10. Tattershall Castle

Tattershall Castle is a red brick tower in Lincolnshire built by Ralph Cromwell, Treasurer of England, in place of the somewhat less opulent building that preceded it between 1430 and 1450. Cromwell’s use of some 700,000 red bricks, as opposed to the available nearby stone, was probably guided by its status-signalling power. The result is a unique 15th century structure with exceptional views.

Tattershall Castle is an early example of fine medieval brickwork. Though it suffered during the Civil War and was subsequently left to decay, it was restored following its purchase by Lord Curzon and opened as an attraction in 1914.

What a prickle…

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things to do

Find the best things to do in Lincolnshire with our highlight experiences across the county. Dive into history, take in the tastes of the county, plan a day out with the kids, or be thrilled with a day of sports.

take a step into the past

Uncover a wealth of outstanding heritage attractions and incredible buildings across this historic county.

countryside & coastline

You decide... a walk on a quiet beach, a stroll across rolling countryside or all the fun of the traditional english seaside.

fresh, local & delicious

Lincolnshire has earned a  reputation for great food. From sausages, plum bread and famous fish'n'chips to to fine dining. 

memorable travel adventures

Find a varied selection of experiences across Lincolnshire, from award-winning brewery tours to specialist black-smithing workshops. Lincolnshire has experiences that cater to food lovers, nature enthusiasts and more. Develop your skills and find new passions.

take a trip to the beach

Lincolnshire has miles of quiet unspoilt coastline to explore and enjoy, with plenty more to see and do along the way.

Outdoor Adventure & Play

Enjoy great days out for all the family at Lincolnshire's various outdoor adventure and play parks. Dare to scale the heights in a treetop adventure or make a splash at one of the county's fabulous water parks.

Discover some of the county's most treasured landscapes and species at Lincolnshire's reserves and observatories. Enjoy birdwatching, taking in the breathtaking sights and finding something new every season.

escape to the countryside

Lincolnshire's charming Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

AVIATION HERITAGE

Experience bomber county.

Explore Lincolnshire's rich aviation heritage, visit working RAF bases, try a flight simulator, pay your respects to the fallen.

Zoos, farms & aquariums

Get out and meet new friends.

Take your pick of local farm park or wildlife experiences at one of the many great attractions.

historic buildings, houses & castles

Belton Estate

Belvoir Castle

Burghley House

Doddington Hall & Gardens

Elsham Gardens & Country Park

Gainsborough Old Hall

Harlaxton Manor

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Cathedral

St. Botolph’s Church

Tattershall Castle

Woolsthorpe Manor

Alford Manor House

ARTeFACT Trail

Astra Antiques Centre

Ayscoughfee Hall

Bardney Manor Walled Gardens

Boston Guildhall

Brightwater Gardens

Browne’s Hospital

Claythorpe Watermill

Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue

Cogglesford Watermill

Dogdyke Steam Drainage Station

Easton Walled Gardens

Grimsthorpe Castle

Heckington Windmill

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre

Mrs Smith’s Cottage

Normanby Hall

RAF Wickenby Museum

Saint Wulfram’s Church

Scawby Hall and Gardens

South Ormsby Estate

Stourton Woods

The Old Rectory, Epworth

The Ropewalk

Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre

Bolingbroke Castle

Boston Central Park

Chain Bridge Forge

Ellis Windmill

Humber Bridge

Late at The Lawn

Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace

Navigation House

Newport Arch

Sibsey Trader Mill

St Wilfred’s Church

Tupholme Abbey

Walled Garden Baumber

Waltham Windmill

Wyndham Park Grantham

Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre

Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre

Grimsby Minster

Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post

Hussey Tower

Pulvertoft Flowers

Tattershall College

The Beonna At All Saints

explore the great outdoors

Anderby Creek

Chapel Point

Chapel St Leonards – Coastal Country Park Walks

Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve

North Sea Observatory

Ashby Decoy Golf Club

Bourne Woods

Central Prom & Beach

Cleethorpes Beach

Crowle Peatland Railway

Deepings Lakes Nature Reserve

Fossdyke Canal Trail

Frampton Marsh

Freiston Shore

Hubbard’s Hills

Laceby Manor Spa & Golf Resort

Londonthorpe Woods 

Miller’s Wood Play Village

Red Hill Nature Reserve

Sandilands Beach

Skegness Beach

Sutton on Sea

The Lindsey Trail

Waters’ Edge Country Park

Whisby Nature Park

Woodhall Spa Woods

Chapel Marsh Pit

Far Ings Nature Reserve

Huttoft Bank Pit Nature Reserve

Lincolnshire Limewoods

Mablethorpe Beach

Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes

Sandilands Pit Nature Reserve

Willingham Woods

Willow Tree Fen Nature Reserve

Wolla Bank Pit Nature Reserve

Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve

Snipe Dales Country Park

Spires & Steeples

things to do in Lincoln

Lincoln is full of heritage and culture so there is plenty to see and do. Enjoy sightseeing, exploring historic architecture, shopping or try fun-packed activities suitable for all the family. 

Things to do in Grantham

Grantham has a host of fun things to do, including spectacular stately homes, museums and beautiful parks and gardens. Come and explore.

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Plan your next trip to Skegness, whether you are visiting for a day, a weekend or longer our selection of vibrant attractions and activities will keep you entertained.

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Our top reserves

Matthew Roberts

Our recommended reserves

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust manages almost 100 of the best sites for nature throughout Lincolnshire. Some of our most popular reserves also benefit from well managed public footpaths and visitor facilities including cafes, education centres and toilet facilities.

So what are you waiting for! Dip your toe into a coastal reserve or immerse yourself in a woodland walk; discover our best sites for nature across Lincolnshire.

Neil Roberts

Whisby Nature Park

Whisby Nature Park is a beautiful landscape near Lincoln with stunning lakes, walks and trails. Once barren and lifeless, this amazing place now abounds with wildlife. The park was created by quarrying for sand and gravel, but nature has reclaimed the pits and bare sand, creating habitats for many species.

Gibraltar Point

Gibraltar Point is a dynamic stretch of unspoilt coastline running southwards from the edge of Skegness to the mouth of the Wash. The reserve impresses by its sheer scale and diversity of wildlife but to appreciate it fully you need to see it in different seasons.

Emily Cunningham

There's always something to see or hear when looking out over the reedbeds of Far Ings. Whether it's the sound of the reeds as they sway in a gentle breeze, the song of hidden warblers or bearded tits, the eerie boom of a bittern, or a mass of wings as the starlings display in a murmuration over the estuary.

Robert Enderby

Snipe Dales

The attractive valleys of Snipe Dales, fretted by streams, offer wonderful views of the southern Lincolnshire Wolds. The reserve is one of the few semi-natural wet valley systems still surviving in Lincolnshire and consists of mixed woodland in the Country Park and wet valleys, grassland and scrub in the nature reserve. 

Willow Tree Fen

Willow Tree Fen has been recently transformed from arable land growing beans and cereal to a more traditional fenland landscape of shallow meres, seasonally flooded pastures, hay meadows and reedbeds. The fenland attracts a large numbers of waterfowl such as wigeon, teal, mallard, and waders including lapwing, redshank and snipe.

Lesley Robb

For much of the year grey seals at Donna Nook National Nature Reserve are at sea or hauled out on distant sandbanks. Every November and December, the seals give birth to their pups near the sand dunes: a wildlife spectacle which attracts visitors from across the UK.

Woodhall Spa Airfield

Woodhall Spa Airfield was formerly the home of four RAF squadrons, but more recently was used as a sand and gravel quarry. As a nature reserve it is now a haven for wildlife as well as a place where visitors can share in the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this former airfield.

Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park

The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is an initiative led by Lincolnshire County Council. It covers the area between Sandilands and Chapel St Leonards and contains wildlife-rich areas including five established nature reserves managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The partners in the Coastal Country Park project aim to widen the appreciation of this fantastic environment, provide high quality facilities and countryside access for people and better protection for wildlife.

Lincolnshire through the seasons

Walking in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds with a buzzard soaring overhead. Enjoying the big skies of the fens whilst watching a barn owl hunt. Getting a sneak peak of a newly born grey seal along the Lincolnshire coast. Discover the best places to see seasonal wildlife in Lincolnshire throughout the year.

Seeing wildlife can’t be guaranteed but that’s part of the fun!

Top wildlife in spring

At the start of spring, wading birds begin to gather in their thousands. The largest and most impressive flocks can be seen on the highest tides of spring and autumn at Gibraltar Point. Meadows are filled with orchids and other wildflowers from early spring through to the mid-summer when they are cut for hay. They're great for butterfly spotting too. Carpets of bluebells in our woodland reserves will be a highlight of any springtime walk in countryside.

Where to see them

Gibraltar Point     Goslings Corner Wood     Rigsby Wood

Bloxholm Wood     Heath’s Meadows     Tunman Wood

More seasonal highlights

Bluebell woods     Wetland birds

Top wildlife in summer

During the summer months, our reserves really come to life. Our grassland and meadow reserves provide the perfect habitats for insects and butterflies , and the soaring song of skylarks is common in spring and summer. Marsh Harriers can be seen hunting over the reedbeds of our wetland reserves, and if you're lucky you might even catch a colourful glimpse of a kingfisher on many of Lincolnshire's wetlands and waterways.

Red Hill     Porter’s Lodge Meadows     Snipe Dales

Gibraltar Point     Far Ings     Whisby Nature Park

Butterflies     Wildflower meadows

Top wildlife in autumn

As the leaves begin to turn their autumn colours bring an air of magic to woodlands, parks and heathlands. Many fungi can be spotted whilst crunching through the leaves on a crisp autumn day. Coastal areas prepare for the arrival of many over wintering birds such as redshank , wigeon and pink-footed geese . 

Hoplands Wood     Langholme Wood     Far Ings

Legbourne Wood     Fairfield Pit     Snipe Dales

Autumn woodlands     Fungi

Top wildlife in winter

In the winter months, colourful ducks such as teal , wigeon and shoveler arrive from northern Europe to wetland reserves. Possibly the most stunning spectacle is when grey seals come to give birth to their pups on the beaches of Donna Nook during November and December. Elsewhere on the coast, harbour porpoises may be spotted and beachcombing reveals the smaller marine creatures.

Far Ings     Gibraltar Point     Baston Fen

Donna Nook     Fairfield Pit     Willow Tree Fen

Starling murmurations     Winter waders

Didn't find what you're looking for?

Take a look at our full list of nature reserves here , or search for a reserve near you below.

Find your next adventure...

Visiting and Days Out

The Lincolnshire Wolds is a great base for exploring the county. Just a few ideas of places to visit, and a link to their website, are listed below.

(Please note – opening hours vary)

Louth, St James's Church  Market Rasen, WLDC, Festival Hall 01427 676666 Horncastle, Joseph Banks Centre, Bridge Street 01507 526065 Alford, Manor House Museum, 01507 601111 Cleethorpes, 42 - 43 Alexandra Road, 01472 323111

Visit the Visit Lincolnshire website to find out more about fun days out, accommodation and the wonderful local food and drink produced in the area

Discover North East Lincolnshire website to find out more about fun days out, accommodation and the wonderful local food and drink produced in the area

Discover amazing places to eat, sleep and visit across the Lincolnshire Wolds and charming Market Towns..........

Situated above Goulceby, the most spectacular feature of the reserve is the exposure of the Red Chalk, a formation that only occurs in Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Fantastic views of the surrounding landscape.

Home to some great car and motorcycle racing including hosting a round of the British Superbike championship.

Ludborough Station is the home of the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, the only full sized steam railway in Lincolnshire.

Claythorpe Watermill and Wildfowl Gardens, between Alford and Louth, is one of Lincolnshire's loveliest surprises. Set in the grounds of a beautiful former watermill, the riverside attraction has been transformed by the new owners.

Wild Pines Park offers one of the largest ropes courses in the UK, with challenging and exciting activities for all ages. Situated in the beautiful woodland of Linwood Warren, Wild Pines Park near Market Rasen, offers the chance for a unique and adventurous day out in the trees.  The site is open all year round, why not contact or call in and enjoy the amazing woodland.

Situated just over 1 mile outside of Market Rasen on the A631 towards Louth, ideally situated to stop in for an ice cream or to walk around the woods with the children and the dogs. This is also an ideal place to park your horse box and join the

The Lindsey Trail is a 69 mile circular multi-user route through the Lincolnshire Wolds. It extends from Market Rasen to Horncastle, suitable for carriage drivers, horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

Situated on the southern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Snipe Dales is one of few semi-natural wet valley systems still surviving. These wet valleys, rough grazing, scrub and wood land of the Nature Reserve provide good habitat for a variety of wildlife. Breeding birds include grasshopper warbler, willow warbler, sedge warbler, meadow pipit and yellow hammer.

On the outskirts of Louth lies Hubbards Hills, a chalk steep-sided valley. All year long this parkland has something special to offer. On sunnier days children of all ages enjoy splashing in and out of the River Lud that gently flows along, enjoying an ice cream from the café, playing games on the huge expanses of grass and picnicking alongside the ducks.

Set in its rural surroundings Market Rasen is the only racecourse in Lincolnshire and offers a unique experience. The friendly family atmosphere and amazing views around this excellent national hunt course are unmatched anywhere in the country. It really is the perfect place for a great day out!!

A prime example of 13th century castle design complete with a large gatehouse, round towers and a moat. Today the castle is a ruin with only the ground floors of the towers remaining and the lower parts of the walls.

Fine red-brick house, dating from 1700, with Victorian walled gardens. Gunby Hall has been described as a large doll's house nestled in an idyllic spot at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson visited here regularly, and it is said to have inspired the imagery of 'the haunt of ancient peace' in his poem The Palace of Art.

A non profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. The Centre, close to Spilsby, provides a home and caring facilities for horses with particular needs and believes that these horses, who have given their all in their working environment, should enjoy the remainder of their lives in a happy, caring environment where they can contribute to the happiness of others. 

Relive a World War 2 Bomber Airfield here at East Kirkby. Experience the sights and sounds, smells and atmosphere. The only place in the Country to see a Lancaster Bomber on its original airfield, and ride in it! 

Open air, family run farm park for children from 2 to 92 - Come and spend the day in a small and friendly country style farm park set in 6 acres of Lincolnshire countryside just outside the market town of Louth. If you enjoy animals then young, old, happy or grouchy we think you will find something here to make you smile…

The Lincolnshire Wolds has much to offer when it comes to bird watching.  Nobody knows their birding here better than the Lincolnshire Bird Club and they’ve chosen these locations together with their tips on how to make the most of your visit.

The A Day Out With The Kids website has lots more to do around the Wolds and the wider Lincolnshire area!

The Lincolnshire Wolds is a nationally important and cherished landscape.  

There are villages to discover, with friendly tea rooms and traditional pubs. Explore its rolling hills and hidden valleys, gentle streams and fine views.  Whether you are visiting for a day or live here, this leaflet will help you to make the most of the Lincolnshire Wolds.

This is a wonderful area of countryside with some of the most beautiful, unspoilt scenery in the East Midlands. There are rolling hills and hidden valleys, gentle streams and nestling villages.

Stories about our past are hidden all around us, in the buildings we live in and the landscape which surrounds us. This handbook will help you to discover some of the hidden heritage in the Lincolnshire Wolds, while visiting some great places along the way!

National Trust to create new coastal nature reserve in support of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park vision

The Lincolnshire coast will have more to offer visitors than ever before, thanks to an exciting project by the National Trust, which aims to protect wildlife and create an all-year-round experience.

The conservation charity has today announced it has bought a £800,000 2km stretch of land along the Lincolnshire coastline thanks to a generous donation from a supporter, who especially asked for the money to be invested in Lincolnshire, along with funds from the Neptune Coastline Campaign, the National Trust’s longest running appeal to support coastline projects. 

The National Trust plans to create a new 30 hectare nature reserve from the former Sandilands golf course providing homes for a variety of  wildlife, especially uncommon  migratory birds such as black-tailed godwit, spotted redshank and spoonbill along with breeding birds like snipe, lapwing and oystercatcher.  

It is the first coastal acquisition the National Trust has made in Lincolnshire, and the first since the conservation charity purchased 1.35km of the White Cliffs of Dover back in 2012. Sandilands forms a vital part of the charity’s increased commitment to protecting nature and tackling climate change, which they announced at the beginning of this their 125 th  anniversary year.  

The project is designed to complement the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, a 3,500 hectare area of coastline extending from Chapel Point in the south to Sandilands in the north, with coastal habitats including stunning sandy beaches, sand dunes and a series of grazing marshes and reedbeds that are important for wildlife. 

The vision for the new reserve is to provide a space where everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature. In summer, visitors will be able to enjoy the colours of yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife while hearing the calls of squadrons of avocet; and, in winter, people will be able to admire the grace of a whooper swans’ flight as they arrive from their summer breeding grounds in the sub-arctic.  

To bring the vison to life, the National Trust is working in partnership with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council.  

Kirsty James, General Manager for the National Trust in South Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire, said: “My team and I are honoured to be entrusted with the National Trust’s newest addition of coastline at Sandilands, which falls within the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. It’s going to take some time before we can get work started on the reserve, whilst we adhere to the current Government guidelines. 

“When we move away from social distancing and are able to get the reserve up and running, we intend to connect with our local communities to ensure that the indoor and outdoor space that we have to offer supports them fully, along with our existing members. In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or support our work by donating online at @NTSandilands.” 

Louise Ransberry, Assistant Director of Operations for the National Trust in the East Midlands, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity as the Lincolnshire coast is one of the most important stretches of English coastline for wildlife, especially as it’s on the east coast ‘flyway’ migration route for birds. Working with local partners, our plan is to create an amazing place for people to immerse themselves in nature and really connect with the wonders that the Lincolnshire coast has to offer from Humber to the Wash. 

“While we have an overall vision, we’re also keen to work closely with the local community to shape the details so we can create a space that everyone can be proud of. We all need nature now more than ever, and this new nature reserve at Sandilands will play an important part in helping to reverse the decline in wildlife. In these difficult times, we are fortunate that we were able to honour this specific donation and finalise our purchase of Sandilands, and we look forward to getting stuck in to creating a beautiful place for our supporters to visit at the appropriate time.” 

Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted the National Trust is making this commitment to the Lincolnshire coast. By restoring and protecting this section between Chapel St Leonard’s and Sutton on Sea there will be an easily accessible nature rich experience along this important stretch of coastline as part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. The range of coastal habitats includes wide sandy beaches, sand dunes, dune scrub, reedbeds and freshwater grazing marshes. This provides habitat and migration stop-off points for large numbers of wading birds, terns and gulls, winter visitors such as thrushes and in the summer, breeding warblers and marsh harriers.” 

Cllr Colin Davie,

Executive Member for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We've been working hard to turn our beautiful coast into a year-round visitor destination, and projects like the North Sea Observatory and Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre have already helped extend the traditional tourist season. This new reserve will build on that momentum, preserving our precious wildlife for future generations while also encouraging people to get out and explore the natural world. This marks the beginning of a fantastic partnership between the National Trust and ourselves and the wider local community that will grow in strength in the years ahead." 

Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader East Lindsey District Council, said: “It is fantastic to see the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park vision being brought to life through projects like this one from the National Trust. The strategy is built on partnership working and we are pleased welcome the National Trust’s on board, their experience and expertise will be a huge asset to the Lincolnshire Coast.” 

The National Trust and its partners are keen to work with local residents to shape the details for the new nature reserve. In due course, the partners will hold information drop-in sessions. In the meantime members of the community and interested parties are invited to share their thoughts or queries on email at  sandilands@nationaltrust. org.uk   

The National Trust currently cares for 784 miles of coastline around the UK and this acquisition marks the first in Lincolnshire.  

For more information on National Trust Sandilands, visit  www.nationaltrust.org. uk/sandilands   

Social Media: @NTSandilands

For more on the beautiful Lincolnshire Natural Coast, visit  www.lincsnaturalcoast. com   

Published: 6th April 2020