Things to do as a Family in Lincolnshire

Residents at the Don Amott Parks in Lincolnshire are well aware of the beautiful coastal scenery and leisure spots available to them. Holiday home owners near Mablethorpe, Cleethorpes, Skegness and more know there are perfect days soaking in the sun at the shoreline. But what about turning and facing the other direction? Lincolnshire is a fantastic area, one of the best in the UK – so what delights await residents if they choose to head away from the coastline for their family escapades?

In this edition of our blog we’re going to focus on ten terrific spots to tour – things to see and things to do around inland Lincolnshire.

1. Burghley House

This stunning Elizabethan house (built circa 1587) is near Stamford and well worth a relaxing day out if you’re interested in exploring architectural and social history and your strolling in picturesque grounds. Highlights include the serpentine park designed by Lancelot Brown (otherwise known as the great gardener and landscaper Capability Brown) and a gothic greenhouse. Additionally, Burghley House is famous for its annual horse trials, and it has also been used as a location for films and TV so entertainment fans will have a lot of fun ‘walking through’ their favourite scenes. Things filmed here include The Da Vinci Code, Middlemarch, Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth – The Golden Age and a couple of current TV favourites: The Crown and Mortimer & Whitehouse Gone Fishing.

2. Lincoln Cathedral

We just mentioned various cinema and TV highlights filmed at Burghley House, including The DaVinci Code – and in the mid-2000s Lincoln Cathedral also played host to Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Ian McKellen for scenes from that film. It was also used as a location in the Emily Blunt film The Young Victoria, a few years later. The Cathedral, which at one time could boast of being the tallest building in the world, has an extremely rich heritage. It was one of the four sites which hosted an original copy of the Magna Carta (which, to this day, remains in the city – it’s now just across the road at Lincoln Castle). There are tours around the floors and roof of Lincoln Cathedral which even only the casually interested will find fascinating – and the awe-inspiring splendour of this Gothic building makes for magnificent imagery for your social media!

3. Lincolnshire Wildlife Park

This wildlife park is relatively close to Skegness, a mere 15 miles away, and is a real haven for those family members who like to spend time in the company of exotic creatures. With more than 20 acres of wonderfully planted gardens to wander, the animal park is home to a vast array of wildlife including one of the largest collections of parrots in the world – and, especially for the cat lovers, one of Europe’s largest group of Bengal tigers. There are also leopards, lemurs and meerkats, plus tapirs and tortoises. Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is a registered charity, so if you choose to make a donation over and above your entry fee then you are really helping the organisation care for this amazing collection of animals.

4. The Ropewalk, Barton-on-Humber

Nestling on the banks of the river Humber, in fact just below the magnificent Humber Bridge, is the modest town of Barton. Literary fans will find it interesting due to former resident Ted Lewis (author of the best-selling crime novel Get Carter), and social historians will note that British Anglican priest and social activist Chad Varah lived here – most famously he was founder of the Samaritans. However, our focus in this section of our blog is a treasure of an arts centre. A former industrial site (can you guess what was made in this long building?), the Ropewalk houses many exhibitions throughout the year, as well as arts and craft events. There’s a shop, a café and even an entertainment venue at one end of the building, where many popular touring music artists have performed over the years.

5. Tattershall Castle

Built by the Treasurer of England in the 1440s as a show of wealth and power, and saved for the nation in 1911, Tattershall Castle is a magnificent red brick example of what Lincolnshire has to offer from a historical perspective. Standing on its battlements affords a spectacular view of the beautiful countryside.

6. Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre

Near Spilsby, this tribute to the amazing aircraft which flew militarily out of Lincolnshire during the Second World War is well worth some of your family’s time. The Centre is home to a Lancaster NX611 bomber, and a museum based on a WWII airfield with original control tower. During the Summer the Lancaster performs taxy runs which members of the public can book onto.

7. Normanby Park

This country estate in Normanby, just outside of Scunthorpe, is a great place for a family to spend a day – whether that’s enjoying a low-key stroll through beautiful forestry or enjoying a nature trail. The estate also features some great activities for the kids and a terrific golf course. It’s also often used for fun days, community events and concerts, so plan your visit just right! Interestingly, former Prime Minister David Cameron’s wife Samantha was brought up here…

Lincolnshire is a fantastic area with so much to offer – and as a resident at a Don Amott Park you will be able to do so at your leisure, venturing to the coast or inland time and again to experience this gem of the north. When you are looking at holiday homes for sale, why not think about one of our five holiday parks in Lincolnshire. Everything great is on your doorstep!