Historic Lincolnshire Guide

Facts about Lincolnshire

Population: 1,050,000
Famous for: Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire Fells
Distance from London: 2 – 3 hours
Local delicacies Stuffed Chine, Haslet, Pork Sausages
Airports: Humberside Airport
County town: Lincoln
Nearby Counties: Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Rutland, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Northamptonshire

It is impossible to think of Lincolnshire without thinking of the magnificent cathedral in its county town, Lincoln. Yet there is much more to the county than this wonderful historic city; Lincolnshire is also a land of dykes and wolds, marshes and seaside resorts – and potatoes!

Lincoln itself is a superb location for a short break. The historic castle hosts one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta and is situated close to the spectacular medieval cathedral featured in the film ‘The Da Vinci Code’. But this compact city has many other attractions such as the medieval High Bridge over the River Witham with its 16th century shops. High Bridge is one of only three bridges in England with shops on them, the others being Pulteney Bridge in Bath and Frome Bridge in Somerset.

 

In terms of historic towns and sites in Lincolnshire, the market town of Gainsborough is home to Gainsborough Old Hall, one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in England. Nearby, Tattershall Castle is simply stunning with its red brick facade and double moat. 16th century Burghley House is a beautiful Tudor mansion with parkland laid out by Capability Brown. The famous landscape architect also planned the park surrounding 13th century Grimsthorpe Castle. Bolingbroke Castle near Spilsby is a 13th century hexagonal castle, now in ruins. It was besieged and taken by the Parliamentarians in 1643.

Lincolnshire is also famous for its windmills, and interesting ones to visit include Heckington Windmill with its unique eight sails and the six-storey high Alford Windmill.

During the summer months, crowds flock to Lincolnshire's seaside resorts such as Cleethorpes and Skegness. Running roughly parallel to the coast you will find the Lincolnshire Wolds, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and the highest area of land in eastern England between Yorkshire and Kent. The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson was born here in Somersby.

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Lincoln

By Ben Johnson

Centered around the cathedral and castle, the city of Lincoln is full of attractive buildings, including fine 16th century and Georgian properties.

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