Lincoln Cathedral: (The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln)

Lincoln Cathedral or to give it its full title, The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, or sometimes just St. Mary's Cathedral. A truly historic cathedral in Lincoln, England and seat of the Diocese of Lincoln in the Church of England.

It is highly regarded by architectural scholars and the eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared;

"I have always held and am prepared against all evidence to maintain that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have."

The Red Arrows:

The Red Arrows are one of the worlds most famous, most recognisable and most skillful aerobatic display teams. As they are based at RAF Scampton, just five miles from Lincoln, they are frequently visible practising their formation and display routines, leaving characteristic vapour trails in the sky.

Formed in 1964, they flew their first display on 6 May 1965 and have now made over 4000 appearances in 52 countries in every corner of the globe. Pilots are all volunteers from within the RAF, chosen for their high qualifications and experience. All must have completed at least one operational tour within the RAF in a fast jet to even be considered, and even then only the very best are accepted.

Displays consist of 9 planes, one of which belongs to the team leader, without whom the Red Arrows cannot fly. The pilots are allowed to fly down to heights of 100 feet from the ground for special manouvres, though are usually limited to 300 feet. The planes used have traditionally been whichever the RAF are currently using as their fast jet training aircraft, currently the Hawk T. Mk.1.

The famous vapour trails created during the Red Arrows formation exercises are traditionally white, created by a high pressure jet of diesel released from the rear of the aircraft. When heated by the high engine temperatures this creates a bright white vapour which, upon addition of a little coloured dye, can be made other colours spectacular effect, usually red and blue. On many clear summer days, looking to the North-West of Lincoln will often reveal some remnant of a Red Arrows manouvre, usually a white lopp-the-loop trail or a huge heart shape.

Burghley House :

A premier Lincolnshire attraction; this largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan age was completed by William Cecil, Lord Burghley in 1587. Today, eighteen state rooms filled with wonderful paintings, furniture and fine art are open to visitors.

The avenues in the park were all laid out by Capability Brown, paying due respect to existing plantings, some of which were from the 16th century or earlier. Brown also created the park's lake in 1775–80. He discovered a seam of waterproof "blue" clay on the grounds, and was able to enlarge the original 9 acre (36,000 m²) pond to the existing 26 acre (105,000 m²) lake. Its clever design gives the impression of looking at a meandering river.

Brown also designed the Lion Bridge at a cost of 1,000 guineas (£1050) in 1778. Originally, Coade-stone lions were used as ornamentation but these perished, and the existing stone examples, made by local mason Herbert Gilbert, have been in place since 1844.

Elsham Hall Country and Wildlife Park:

Exhibition gallery, craft centre, carp feeding jetty, wild butterfly garden, adventure playground, caravan site, arboretum etc. Brigg, North Lincs. Opened in 1970 by Captain and Mrs. Elwes to promote enjoyment countryside and wildlife and an appreciation of the arts and rural crafts.

Facilities include tearooms and restaurant, theatre, garden and design centre, clocktower shop and exhibition gallery, craft centre, carp feeding jetty, wild butterfly garden, adventure playground, caravan site, arboretum and woodand garden centre animal farm, miniature walled garden zoo and falconry centre.

Belton House, Park and Gardens:

One of the finest 17th century country houses in Britain, Belton House epitomises the confidence and optimism of Restoration England.

Elaborate plasterwork, intricate wood-carvings and glittering wall mirrors jostle with a stunning collection of paintings in the state rooms. Fine furniture, tapestries and silverware are also on show.

Bellmount Tower one of the most striking features of the park, stands at the summit of the Eastern Avenue. Built by Lord Tyrconnel in 1751, it was designed as a dramatic feature on the skyline and a vantage point from which to enjoy the view over the park.

Gainsborough Old Hall :

One of the hidden gems of Lincolnshire. Over 500 years old it is one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in the country. Room settings provide impressions of life past and taped tour guides give a fascinating insight into the hall and the people who lived in it. There is a programme of special events including exhibitions, craft fairs, music and lecture series

Epworth Old Rectory :

Birthplace of John and Charles Wesley and the home of methodism. John and Charles grew up in the old rectory in Epworth, and their home is now a popular Methodist shrine and the subject of great interest to methodists the world over.

Built in 1709 and restored in 1957, this Grade I listed Queen Anne building is maintained by the World Methodist Council as 'The Home of the Wesleys' rather than as a museum.

It displays items that belonged to John and Charles Wesley and their parents Samuel and Susanna. Some of the rooms are set out with period furniture in a manner the Wesley family would have recognised. The house also has paintings and prints concerning the lives and times of the Wesley family and commemorative china etc. Parties, catering and accommodation are by prior arrangement.

Pleasure Island Theme Park:

Near Cleethorpes a large family theme park with a wide variety of rides from hell raising to go karts. Kiddies Kingdom, Africa, Spain, Morocco, Old England, White Knuckle Valley, Flight of the Condor.

Spalding Tropical Forest:

A garden centre specialising in water gardening. We are also a tourist attraction, housing the largest tropical forest of its kind in the UK. The tropical world covers four zones to provide a plant lovers paradise and an ideal summer and winter venue for a day out with a difference. Jungle foliage, cascading waterfalls and lush tropical plants create an atmosphere heavy with scents and blossoms from over 100 species of orchid s and flowering climbers.

Stamford Museum:

Stamford has been called the finest stone town in England, a town that has escaped both the ravages of the Industrial Revolution and the 20th century. The town offers such a rich mixture that it is difficult to take it all in on a single visit. The museum's job is to provide an interpretation for the visitor. It does this through its displays, which set out the history and archaeology of Stamford from the earliest times to the 20th century, and through its publications, notably a series of award winning Town Trail guides.

Tattershall Castle :

A premier Linconshire attraction this vast fortified tower was built c1440 for Ralph Cromwell, Lord Treasurer of England. The castle is an important example of an early brick building, with a tower containing state apartments, rescued from dereliction and restored by Lord Curzon 1911-14.

Four great chambers, with ancillary rooms, contain late Gothic fireplaces and brick vaulting.

There are tapestries and information displays in turret rooms. Lincoln Cathedral and Boston Stump are visible from the battlements on clear days

Lincolns Usher Gallery:

Fine collections of porcelein, early glass and art. Collections include Chinese Export porcelain of K'ang Hsi period. 18 and 19th century English and Continental porcelain and early English glass.

The gallery has many important fine art collections from the 18th and 19th centuries that feature Lincolnshire, and an impressive 20th century collection.

Usher Gallery, Lindum Road, Lincoln, LN2 1NN, Tel: 01522 527980

Woolsthorpe Manor :

A small 17th century farmhouse which was the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton. Some of his major work was formulated here, during the Plague years (1665-66). The orchard includes a descendant of the famous apple tree. The manor is based near the market town of Grantham.

Grimsthorpe Castle & Park

Doddington Hall & Gardens

Normanby Hall Country Park

Normanby Hall is a Regency Mansion designed by Sir Robert Smirke. It was home to the Sheffield family, formerly Dukes of Buckingham and owners of Buckingham Palace. The elegance and grandeur of the Hall remain for you to discover. Fine examples of period furniture are displayed in the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian styles.

In the Farming Museum discover re-creations of an agricultural worker’s kitchen and backyard, a saddler’s, a blacksmith’s and a cobbler’s workshop. View old agricultural machinery and transport displays that will take you from ploughing to harvest, capturing images of rural life in North Lincolnshire in years gone by.

Lincolnshire Windmills -

Today in Lincolnshire the remains of 136 windmills can be found, all but two of them being corn grinding mills. Some are in full working order and still producing flour for sale. Some have tearooms where you can eat cakes made from the stoneground flour and one even has its own bakery with wood-fire ovens.

The Museum of Lincolnshire Life

The Museum is housed in a Victorian military barracks built for the Royal North Lincoln Militia in 1857. The barracks is a fine example of Victorian military architecture and is a grade 2 listed building. The current Museum was founded in 1969 and over the years has built up a large and fascinating collection of more than 250,000 objects on display and within its stores. - Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, LINCOLN, LN1 3LY - Tel: 01522 528448 / Fax: 01522 521264

Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens

Ayscoughfee Hall Museum is housed in a fifteenth century Grade II medieval merchant's townhouse. An amazing survivor from the time, the Hall contains many important architectural features from the medieval, Georgian and Victorian periods of British architecture.

The Museums main exhibit is the story of the building itself, but other displays tell the story of the Fens, the South Holland district, the recent renovation of the building and the famous Spalding Gentleman's Society; a thriving Society founded in 1710 by a former owner of Ayscoughfee Hall, Maurice Johnson.