Lincoln is the perfect destination for a city break in the East Midlands, with a unique mix of historic attractions and stores, restaurants and cultural venues. Renting a car for your trip also allows you to visit some other great destinations in this scenic part of the UK.
Heritage and history
A great place to start your visit to Lincoln is in the cathedral quarter, located up a steep hill in the heart of the city. Its crowning glory is Lincoln Cathedral, a magnificent medieval structure that dates back to 1092 after the Norman invasion of Britain. The entry price includes a floor tour, where you’ll be shown around the cathedral to learn all about its architecture and history.
Between April and the end of October, it’s also possible to reserve a place on the tower tour, where you can climb the 338 steps up the highest tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city when you reach the top.
Not far from the cathedral you’ll find Lincoln Castle, built in 1068 on a site that has been occupied since Roman times. The castle itself is home to a key piece of English history – the 1215 Magna Carta. Only four copies of this document survive, with one housed inside the castle.
Entry to the castle grounds is free, offering a peaceful space to relax or enjoy a picnic. You can also buy a day ticket to the castle which includes access to the medieval walls, the Victorian prison and the Magna Carta vault.
Retail therapy
If all the sightseeing has made you hungry, head back down the cobbled hill from the castle where there are many cafés and tea shops, as well as stores selling locally produced crafts, souvenirs and regional delicacies including Lincolnshire meats and cheeses.
Lincoln also has a great number of shopping malls and markets, with many of its biggest stores and restaurants located along its High Street. At the center of this street is the Waterside Shopping Center, while at the southern end of the high street is the St Marks mall, an open-air shopping area with plenty of parking available on site.
To pick up some authentic local produce, you can also head to the Central Market, open every day except Sunday, packed with stalls selling food and other local goods. Lincolnshire prides itself on its sausages, and many of its other traditional specialties are based around pork and beef from the surrounding farms.
Seaside delights
If you’re visiting Lincolnshire in the summer, you’ll only have to drive a short distance outside Lincoln to reach the east coast. One of the most popular resorts in this part of England is Skegness, an authentic seaside town with a number of attractions including Natureland, a seal sanctuary which rescues and rehabilitates the animals that sometimes become stranded on Lincolnshire’s beaches.
The town also boasts a family-friendly beach where you can soak up some sunshine and, for kids, there’s even the chance to enjoy a donkey ride. Car rental in Lincoln makes it possible to experience all this and more during your stay, in a part of England full of charm.