Around the Area, Lincolnshire Tourist Information

Around the area - Lincolnshire & The Lincolnshire Wolds

Lincolnshire, very much the unsung and undiscovered county of England. A place to take time out, to step back from the increasing pace and pressures of everyday life and escape to the relaxing peace haven of The Old Station Yard.

You will be amazed at the counties natural beauty, the vistas of the big skies and the teeming wildlife. Lincolnshire currently has some 113 significant visitor attractions and The Lincolnshire Wolds will take your breath away.

Here you will find peace and tranquillity with a huge variety of places to go and things to do.

For 30 years The Lincolnshire Wolds has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with undulating landscapes and leafy country lanes, punctuated by the picture postcard villages and the friendly market towns of Alford, Brigg, Horncastle, Louth, Spilsby, Tattershall and Coningsby. Further mention must be given to the numerous historic sites and connections with famous sons of the past such as poet Alfred Lord Tennyson and explorer Sir John Franklin.

Quiet country roads and a whole host of sights with a busy calendar of events and a live working landscape dotted with fertile farms, the fields and vista changing in character and colour all year long - This is a place where you can come to relax.

But are you missing the best?!!

Leave the car. Take a walk, or cycle through this wonderful countryside and explore its hidden valleys, lush flora, streams and rivers. Soak up the views towards the distant horizon. Take some time to meet the local people who are rightly proud of their heritage and local traditions. Friendliness and hospitality is second nature in Lincolnshire.

Please select an area to find just a taste of Lincolnshire's many visitor attractions and links with nature all within easy reach and many almost on the doorstep... Those attractions within just TWENTY minutes of The Old Station Yard for your convenience are marked LOCAL

Alvingham LOCAL
Approximately two miles out of Louth along the Navigation Canal is Alvingham Watermill. The mill, with its wheel measuring eleven feet in diameter and eight feet wide, is still working, and today houses a museum.

Willingham Woods LOCAL
An introduction to the local wildlife: Situated just over one mile outside of Market Rasen on the A631 towards Louth, an area of woodland formerly administered by the Forestry Commission with nature trails for walkers, cyclists and dogs alike. Refreshment kiosk with public conveniences and wheelchair access to all the amenities the woods have to offer. Plenty of picnic space with several tables or space for a blanket!
A popular place for motorbike enthusiasts with regular meets on Wednesday evenings.

Willingham Woods Bikers

Rand Farm - Wragby
Located close to Wragby a real visitors gem with a host of interactive and interesting activities for all the family. Picnic and children's play areas in abundance, gift shop and tearooms. Tractor trailer rides, hatchery and milking. Wheelchair and wet weather friendly. Open March to October from 10am to 6pm, November to February 10am-4pm. Closed Xmas bank holidays only. Tel: 01673 858904 Rand Farm Park

Rushmoor Country Park LOCAL
Situated at North Cockerington. A great family day out set in the 5 acre grounds of a Grade II listed farmhouse. Visitors will find an extensive collection of rare, ornamental and traditional breeds of domestic fowl. There are herb gardens, a children's play area and also many baby animals to hold. The wildlife pond is a haven for wild birds and many different species. Amongst the regular visitors to the pond are dragonflies, water vole and moor hens. As well as a picnic area, there are tearooms, and surplus stock and plants are available to buy. Open Easter to end October daily 10am-6pm/ November to Easter: weekends 10am-4pm Tel: 01507 327184 Rushmoor Country Park

Waltham Windmill LOCAL

An interesting trip out..... with varying attractions on offer.

Situated at Waltham just a short drive or cycle ride away from our accommodation - the GER 352 Composite (body) built 1886 has been converted into an attractive café/diner serving hot and cold snacks, icecreams and drinks during the Summer season.

The windmill site has a lovely rural atmosphere with ample parking and toilet facilities and along with the old railway carriage café there is a restaurant, a herb shop, old fashioned sweet shop, a local artist, woodturner and other craft style outlets.

There is also a popular miniature railway and a picnicking area along with the acclaimed Museum of Rural Life with a number of hands on items, video shows and a new RAF section.

Car boot sales can also be rummaged amongst some Sundays.

Waltham Windmill Preservation Society

Normanby Hall Country Park

A terrific day out for all the family. Wonderful woodland walks, a superb Regency house, fantastic gardens and a fascinating Farm Museum - all this and more. The house, designed by Robert Smirke is set in 300 acres of beautiful parkland, woodland, deerpark and gardens. In the highly acclaimed Victorian Walled Garden the trained fruit, heritage vegetables and range of glasshouses evoke a bygone age, whilst the Farm Museum offers a glimpse of Lincolnshire's agricultural past. Yorkshire in Bloom Winners 2001, 2003 & 2004.

Normanby Hall

Elsham Hall Country & Wildlife Park

An array of award winning activities including the Wild Butterfly Garden Walkway, The Arboretum and Woodland Bulb Garden, all amidst beautiful lakeside scenery with The Granary tearooms, avaries, farm animals and working craft centre.

Opening Times: 11am - 5pm

Park Open: Opening daily from Easter Saturday to mid September (Weather premitting). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Bank Holidays or during school holidays. Also open for special events.

Adults £5.00 Children £4.00 OAP's and registered disabled, £4.50, children under 3 free. Discounts for school and coach parties. Ring 01652 688698

Numerous excellent fisheries abound in close proximity to our accommodation.

FISHING Lincolnshire

Batemans Brewery Visitors Centre - Wainfleet LOCAL

The ‘virtual reality’ walk round Brewery Experience is amazing. Not at all a science lesson but a humorous, entertaining and fun visit. You are even welcomed by an old mummified Egyptian brewer! Also on show is the world’s largest bottled beer collection. Welcome to Batemans Brewery

Elsham Paintballing

For the more adventurous visitors. Try one of the countries leading paintball arenas.....

Two teams can pit their wits against each other, plan their own strategies and tactics. The activity is played out over various scenarios in mixed woodland. An exhilarating, adrenaline filled day that is guaranteed to be a talking point for weeks afterwards.

http://www.ukpaintballsites.com/html_files/elsham_directions.htm

Manby Motorplex LOCAL

Whether you're looking for the ultimate activity to take part in, the best in real life motorsports action or just the perfect venue for your own corporate event - then you need to be at Manby Motorplex.

Manby Motorplex - the driving force

Market Rasen LOCAL
Market Rasen is a traditional small market town, with a few Georgian buildings, but mainly Victorian, the most impressive being the centenary chapel with its stone columns and brick facade. The town has changed little during the 20th century particularly notable being the original shop fronts.

Market Rasen Racecourse LOCAL
Come to the races at this renowned National Hunt course. Jump racing every month, race evenings and special events throughout the year. http://www.marketrasenraces.co.uk/

Golf at Market Rasen LOCAL
Market Rasen has a par 70, eighteen hole course and can lay claim to it being the most attractive golf course in the North of the county. The picturesque tree-lined fairways offer little room for a slice or hook, and the course features many natural hazards including the River Rase, which flows through.

Market Rasen Racecourse,Golf Club

LOUTH - Our very local bustling market town.

Hubbards Hills LOCAL
Located in a valley with a natural watercourse. A great place for a picnic and a pleasant walk. An area of great natural beauty which was established as a place of public recreation for the people of Louth during the 19th century. A real sun trap in summer! Hubbards Hills

Louth Art Trail LOCAL
The Louth art trail is a unique attraction celebrating the heritage, culture and landscape of a market town through public art. Follow the trail along the Navigation Canal and River Lud, through the town centre and out to Westgate Fields. Louth Art Trail

Louth Museum LOCAL
The museum houses many exhibits, memorabilia and paintings which illustrate the history and development of Louth. These include: abbey and archaeology, domestic bygones, Louth carpets, Louth flood, Louth panorama, paintings and sketches, printing machine, natural history, Spanish connection, local worthies, Wallis sculptures, weights and measures. Louth Museum
Open April to December 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat 2pm-4pm tel 01507 601211

Louth Canal LOCAL
Following the formation of the Louth Navigation Company in 1760, by local landowners, and an act of Parliament in 1763 which allowed the canal to be cut, the canal opened in 1770 at a cost of £28 000. It connected Louth riverhead to Tetney, a distance of 11 miles and incorporated 8 locks which accommodated the 46ft differential in levels between the two points. The canal which was cut deeper than usual to allow larger seagoing boats to pass, became a major thoroughfare for the town, adding to the wealth generated by the wool trade. However, with the arrival of railways, a period of decline began which eventually led to the waterway being closed in 1924.

Today it is owned by the Louth Navigation Trust and the towpaths, which have been restored, make for an enjoyable walk out of town. The 18th century wool warehouse at the head of the canal was fully restored in 1999 and is now a restaurant and public meeting place. It houses an excellent interactive display containing canal memorabilia.

Louth Playgoers Theatre LOCAL

For a full diary of events please click on the link...........Playgoers

Louth Golf Club LOCAL

Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty bordering Hubbard's Hills, Louth Golf Club offers a challenging 6,430 yard 18 hole parkland course. Complemented by a period clubhouse, putting green and practice areas, Louth Golf Club provides excellent facilities for both members and visiting golfers.

Louth Golf Club Lincolnshire UK

Westgate House - Louth. LOCAL
In association with English Heritage. Recently opened to the public an outstanding Grade II property following restoration to a dwelling. Probably dating back in part to cc 1725 the appearance of the ground floor public rooms is now becoming worthy of the original late 18th century conception. Of particular architectural and historical interest. Open: Easter Monday to end of September Wed and Sat only 11.30-6.30

Lincoln
Lincoln is steeped in history, and bristling with life. Look back over 2000 years of history and discover the city's Roman, Norman, Medieval, Tudor and Georgian heritage. Lincoln mixes quality tourist style shopping in the 'uphill' historic area with a modern pedestrianised city centre 'downhill' which boasts all the usual big names. You can enjoy refreshments in historic surroundings such as the coffee shop at Lincoln Cathedral, tea in garden tea rooms, good pub food at some of the city's inns and a choice of restaurants and hotels serving dinner. Lincoln offers walking tours of the city as well as guided ghost walks, boat trips and parks and gardens to relax in.

Lincolnshire Life Museum
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is the largest and most exciting social history museum in the county. It occupies a listed barracks, built in 1857 for the Royal North Lincoln Militia. A major new redevelopment at the museum continues this military theme telling the story of the regiment through interactive displays, computer, videos and an audio tour. Elsewhere the museum's fascinating and varied collections provide a captivating arrangement of displays which capture the many aspects of Lincolnshire life. The museum contains one of the best agricultural collections in the country and excellent industrial displays reflect this crucial part of Linconshire's history. The many rich traditions and crafts of Lincolnshire people are also well represented. The museum contains many unique items such as the earliest surviving tank, built by William Foster and Co. ltd of Lincoln in 1917. Ellis Windmill, a glorious 18th century building is situated next door to the museum. Free car parking. Open daily May to October 10am-5pm. Nov-April Mon-Sat only 10am-5pm. Tel 01522 528 448

The museum is housed in the original 1859 Heckington Railway station buildings, which have been carefully restored to their former glory, having been saved from British Rail demolition by Heckington Village Trust in 1975.
The General Waiting Room contains a selection of local and railway displays, GNR fireplace, ticket window and sales counter. Heckington Station Railway Museum

Horncastle
A country market town of great charm. Horncastle was originally the Roman town of Banovallum; remains of the Roman well can be seen in the local library. Situated on the banks of the Rivers Waring and Bain, the town contains some very attractive buildings and is noted for its many unusual antique and gift shops.

St Mary
The oldest parts of the church date from the early 13th century, built mostly of green Spilsby sandstone. The King's Head public house is one of the few 'mud and stud' buildings in the town, truly a picturesque thatched building noted particularly for its wonderful floral displays.

Woodside Falconry & Conservation Centre

Discover the Mysterious World of Birds of Prey at Langworth Nr. Lincoln. Woodside Falconry

Mablethorpe - Seal sanctuary

It was in 1974 that the first seal arrived at the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Nature Centre. Now home to many wild creatures in distress a visitors attraction in the seaside town of Mablethorpe under an hours drive from our accommodation. Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary

Donna Nook- Seal sanctuary LOCAL
For that most unusual but nevertheless interesting day out. Donna Nook is one of the most accessible sites for seeing seals at a time of breeding in the UK. There is now a large and growing breeding colony to the North of the Wash, at Donna Nook. This is the only mainland site in Britain with direct access for the public to observe breeding grey seals. In Lincolnshire it is a short ride from near Louth to the beach and there they are, in late autumn and early winter. Seals at Donna Nook

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre

This visitor centre lies close to the site of the airfield and the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell at Heath Farm, off the A17 on the minor road to North and South Rauceby. An exhibition depicts the history of the college which became the first military air academy in the world when it opened on 5th February 1920. Since then, many distinguished aviators have graduated from the college including Sir Frank Whittle, pioneer of the jet engine. Tel: +44 (0) 1529 488490 UK MILITARY SPOTTING

Coningsby RAF visitor centre
Home to a busy RAF base, as well as the historic aircraft of the memorial flight. Battle of Britain memorial flight visitor centre - a living tribute to all RAF air and ground crew who gave their lives in World War Two. A Lancaster, Dakota, two Hurricanes and Spitfires can be seen in their hanger. Guided tours of the hanger take place from 10.30am until 3.30pm (3.00 pm Nov-Feb). The visitor centre is normally closed weekends, all public holidays and two weeks over the Christmas/ New Year period. Unfortunately, due to RAF commitments, the presence of any particular aircraft cannot be guaranteed. Tel +44 (0) 1526 344 041

RAF Coningsby

The church of St. Michael
Notable for its huge and unique single handed clock face. The face is 16.5 feet in diameter-the largest single handed clock face in the world. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.

Cleethorpes LOCAL
Cleethorpes is a long established busy family resort, famous for its miles of clean, golden sands, beautiful parks and restful gardens. One of the few remaining English piers, totally refurbished, with disco, bars and restaurant.

Pleasure Island Family Theme Park LOCAL
One of the biggest family fun days out on the east coast, where you can experience white knuckle horrors and all the fun of the fair.

Pleasure Island - Discover the Magic - Park Map

Laser Quest - Cleethorpes LOCAL
Laser Quest is probably the world's best known and most exciting brand of The Laser Tag game. Whatever your age you'll love the adrenaline pumping exhilaration of stalking your opponents and unleashing a volley of laser fire in the battle-zone of the 21st century Laser Arena

Cleethorpes Golf Club LOCAL

Cleethorpes Golf Club is one of the oldest courses in Lincolnshire. The course still however retains some of the original features set out by Harry Vardon and Dr Mckenzie, the course architects, in the early part of the last century. The clubhouse awaits all visitors where a warm friendly welcome is guaranteed. Cleethorpes Golf Club

Cleethorpes Humber Estuary Discovery Centre LOCAL
A sensational hands on experience for the whole family. Climb up the Humber Conoco Observatory, which offers stunning panoramic views of wildlife, shipping and the natural landscape. Enjoy some of the finest local fish and chips available anywhere and while away some time with stunning views over the Humber Estuary and it's busy shipping lanes. Cleethorpes Discovery Centre

Cleethorpes Light Railway LOCAL
The East of England's last surviving steam seaside railway. For the true thrill of 'live' steam travel in miniature. Lincolnshire's premier narrow gauge railway operating along Cleethorpes foreshore and Lakeside. Trains can be caught either at Kingsway or Lakeside stations. Visit the station master's gift shop, Brief Encounters Tearoom or have a hot meal at the Fourways Café. The CCLR won the Heritage Railway Association small groups award for exemplifying the historic importance of seaside and miniature railways with particular benefit to the resort of Cleethorpes. The CCLR offer the opportunity of one to one tuition to prepare and drive the locomotive for the day!! After costs, all proceeds go to the Sutton Collection Appeal Fund. Tel 01472 604657 Cleethorpes Light railway

Chequered Flag Karting LOCAL
Located just off the A16 near Holton le Clay. A fantastic full size karting circuit for beginners and enthusiasts alike - Europe's most popular motorsport activity. Catering for individuals, families, and corporate events. tel 01472 828 823 Use our discount voucher for the local very friendly Karting track.
http://www.chequeredflagkarting.co.uk/

Cadwell park LOCAL
Considered to be one of the most exciting and challenging motor racing circuits in the country with its narrow, twisting hilly track. Various race meetings are held throughout the year ranging from Formula One superbikes to classics car racing. Cadwell Park Race Circuit

Covenham Reservoir LOCAL
Home of CWSA. A wide range of activities is available at Covenham Reservoir including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, sub aqua and training. Some activities are available to people with disabilities. Tel 01507363709. CWSA Covenham Water Sports Association

Brigg
Brigg, a bustling market town that is home to many specialist retailers, tranquil riverside walks and extensive summer events programme which includes the colour and traditions of Brigg Horse Fair, one of England's great horse fairs. Some great fishing in the area.

Brigg - Frosts Garden Centre
Award winning garden centre. Enjoy a family day out with a free play area with trampolines and a goat petting area. With a vast array or plants, garden furniture and ornaments. Display gardens and an attractive running stream. Incorporating the Vineyard Restaurant for a range of snacks or meals, open daily - times vary. tel 01652 650 484. Brigg Garden Centre

Freshney Place Shopping Centre - Grimsby LOCAL

Freshney Place, an attractive undercover shopping centre right in the heart of Grimsby, provides the complete shopping experience, all on one floor. With nearly a hundred shops, there's plenty of choice for everyone. Freshney Place - Shopping in Grimsby

Brings together Europe’s largest selection of dealers who can offer you the widest possible range of antiques and collectable items here in Lincolnshire and indeed the UK.
Within three separate buildings you will find over three hundred display areas, which will keep you enthralled for hours. Take your time to wander through our vast array of bygone treasures and - who knows you may even discover that bargain or hidden treasure you’ve been searching for.

Buy antiques, antique furniture, uk, antiques centre, North L incolnshire

Based in a range of old farm buildings, a purpose built museum featuring a fascinating collection of motor racing models, art and memorabilia.

Take a nostalgic journey though the world of motoring in miniature... from the toys you played with as a child... to the toys your children play with now!

Test your driving skills on our slot-car racing circuit and visit the 'pitstop' cafe for light refreshments

http://www.on-your-marques.co.uk/

Free nursing 24/7 for weak, sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs. Telephone advice referrals and information leaflets posted on request. Souvenirs are available and ' peep at patients' in the Oliver Brown convalescent ward, outdoor covered pens and pre-release pens. tel 01507 450221

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