# Lincoln Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > Plan your Lincoln break with our guide to the cathedral, castle and cobbled Steep Hill, plus the best hotels, B&Bs and campsites near the city. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. A cathedral city on a hill, steeped in history Photo © Keith Owen, Google Maps [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants) Lincoln rises steeply from the flat fenland that surrounds it, its cathedral visible for miles across Lincolnshire before you ever reach the city itself. For more than eight centuries that cathedral has crowned the hill alongside a Norman castle, and the medieval streets that connect them, cobbled Steep Hill chief among them, still follow their original lines. It is a small city that punches well above its size, with a concentration of historic buildings, independent traders and museums that few English cities of comparable population can match. The city divides naturally into two halves. Uphill Lincoln, around the castle and cathedral, is the historic core: narrow lanes lined with Tudor timber-framed shops, stone townhouses and the Bishop's Palace, all within a few hundred yards of each other. Downhill, the city becomes more workaday and modern, built up around the High Street and the water of Brayford Pool, a broad medieval harbour now ringed by bars, restaurants and the University of Lincoln's waterside campus. The two halves are linked by Steep Hill itself, a punishingly steep cobbled street of independent bookshops, cafes and galleries that has been voted Britain's best shopping street more than once. Lincoln's setting on the Lincoln Edge, a limestone ridge overlooking the Witham valley, also explains its long strategic importance. The Romans founded a legionary fortress here as Lindum Colonia; sections of Roman wall and the Newport Arch, the oldest arch in Britain still used by traffic, survive from that period. The Normans followed with the castle and the first cathedral, and much of what visitors see today, the guildhalls, the Jew's House, the High Bridge with its overhanging Tudor shops, dates from the medieval centuries when Lincoln was one of the wealthiest wool towns in England. ## Getting to Lincoln Lincoln Central railway station sits at the bottom of the High Street, a short walk from Brayford Pool and a slightly longer climb up to the cathedral quarter. Direct services run from London King's Cross via Newark, with a typical journey time of around two hours, and from Nottingham, Sheffield and Peterborough. Cross-country connections mean a change is often needed for services from further afield, but Lincoln is well served from across the East Midlands and Yorkshire. By road, Lincoln sits just off the A46, which links to the A1 to the west and the M180/M18 corridor to the north, and the A15, which runs south towards Peterborough and north to the Humber Bridge. There is no motorway directly into the city, so approach roads can be slow at peak times, particularly around the Pelham Bridge gyratory. Several park and ride sites operate on the edges of the city, and city centre car parks, including those at the Lawn and around the castle, get busy on market days and during events, so arriving early is worthwhile in summer. ## Best time to visit Lincoln Spring brings daffodils to the castle grounds and the Arboretum, and comfortable temperatures for the climb up Steep Hill without the crowds of high summer. It is a good time for cathedral visits, when light pours through the stained glass and queues are shorter. Summer is Lincoln at its busiest, with outdoor events around Brayford Pool, longer opening hours at the castle and cathedral, and warm weather that makes the city's many green spaces, including the Arboretum and Hartsholme Country Park, particularly appealing. Autumn suits those who want the city without the crowds: the university term begins, giving Lincoln a livelier evening atmosphere, and the changing colours in the Arboretum and along the Water Rail Way are a highlight. Winter culminates in the Lincoln Christmas Market, one of the largest in Europe, held around the castle and cathedral over the first weekend of December, when the whole uphill area is given over to stalls, lights and crowds; book accommodation well ahead if visiting for it. Outside that weekend, winter is quiet and atmospheric, with the cathedral especially striking under low light. ## Where to stay in Lincoln(38) [All hotels in Lincoln →](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels) About staying in Lincoln Lincoln's compact size means most of its accommodation clusters around two distinct areas, and where you choose to stay shapes the character of your visit as much as any single sight does. Uphill, in the shadow of the castle and cathedral, historic buildings on Bailgate and the surrounding lanes have been converted into boutique hotels with genuine medieval and Georgian bones, the kind of places where low beams and thick stone walls are part of the appeal. These properties put you within a few minutes' walk of the cathedral, the castle and the antique shops and tearooms of Steep Hill, and they tend to fill up fastest around the Christmas Market and university graduation weekends. Downhill, around Brayford Pool and the railway station, the accommodation is more contemporary: waterside chain hotels with lake views, business-friendly rooms and easy access to the train line, alongside budget options aimed at travellers who want a comfortable base rather than a historic one. This area suits anyone arriving by train, visiting for business at the university, or simply preferring modern facilities and reliable parking to period charm. Guest houses and B&Bs fill the gap between the two, many of them in handsome Victorian villas on Carholme Road and around South Common, a short walk or bus ride from the centre. These tend to offer better value and a more personal welcome than the hotels uphill, with hosts who know the city well and are generous with recommendations. Across all three areas, book early for December weekends and the summer Steep Hill events, when the city's relatively limited stock of rooms is quickly taken. [8.4 ★★★★4 star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lincoln Brayford Wharf North, waterside by Brayford Pool from £119/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/doubletree-by-hilton-lincoln) [8.5 ★★★★4 star The White Hart Hotel Bailgate, uphill beside the castle and cathedral from £135/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/the-white-hart-hotel-lincoln) [8.9 ★★★★4 star Castle Hotel & Apartments Westgate, next to Lincoln Castle from £130/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/castle-hotel-lincoln) [8.2 ★★★3 star Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre Brayford Enterprise Park, by Brayford Pool from £89/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/holiday-inn-express-lincoln-city-centre) [8.0 ★★★3 star Premier Inn Lincoln City Centre Broadgate, walking distance to the Cathedral Quarter from £79/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/premier-inn-lincoln-city-centre) [9.3 ★★★★4 star South Park Guest House South Common, two minutes from the High Street from £85/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/south-park-guest-house-lincoln) [9.0 ★★★3 star The Hollies Guest House Carholme Road, west of the city centre from £75/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/the-hollies-guest-house-lincoln) [8.8 ★★★★4 star Creston Villa Guest House St Catherine's, opposite South Common from £70/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels/creston-villa-guest-house-lincoln) ## Things to Do in Lincoln(29) [All attractions in Lincoln →](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions) About things to do in Lincoln Lincoln offers 29 attractions and things to do, with 15 particularly suited to family visits and 5 dog-friendly options. The city combines medieval heritage with wartime history, all within walking distance of independent shops, cobbled streets and the waterside at Brayford Pool. The top-rated draws are Lincoln Cathedral, a Gothic structure dominating the skyline with family tours and regular events, and Lincoln Castle, a hilltop fortress where you can walk the medieval ramparts and see one of four surviving original Magna Cartas. The International Bomber Command Centre explores the county's aviation heritage with full accessibility and family facilities. For something different, Tattershall Castle is a 15th-century brick fortification with panoramic views, while the Museum of Lincolnshire Life covers local heritage from domestic life to industry, with onsite dining and parking. Family days out also include Tattershall Lakes Country Park, a lakeside destination with swimming, mini golf and hot tubs that accommodates wheelchairs, pushchairs and dogs. The site is relaxed and welcoming for all ages. The city has 80 nearby restaurants including ASK Italian and Elite Fish & Chip Restaurant, plus 38 hotels, 23 cottages and 16 camping options to suit different budgets and preferences. Neighbouring areas with their own listings include Skegness, Stamford, Boston and Grantham. [Mulsanne Park ⭐ 4.2](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/mulsanne-park) [Murder Mystery Adventure ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/murder-mystery-adventure) [Billinghay Swimming Pool ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/billinghay-swimming-pool) [Bransby Horses ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/bransby-horses) [International Bomber Command Centre ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/international-bomber-command-centre) [Lincoln Cathedral ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/lincoln-cathedral) [Museum of Lincolnshire Life ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/museum-of-lincolnshire-life) [Original Lincoln Ghost Walk ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions/original-lincoln-ghost-walk) ## Where to Eat in Lincoln(80) [All restaurants in Lincoln →](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants) Food and drink in Lincoln Lincolnshire's food identity runs through the city's menus: Lincolnshire sausage, thick-cut and heavily seasoned with sage, appears on breakfast tables across the city, alongside Lincolnshire plum bread, a dense fruited loaf traditionally eaten with cheese. Stonebow Market and the surrounding independent butchers and delicatessens are good places to try both. The Bailgate and Steep Hill areas hold the highest concentration of independent cafes and restaurants, from long-established tearooms to newer bistros serving modern British menus using Lincolnshire produce, including the county's asparagus, in season around Cathedral Quarter venues each May. Brayford Pool has a more contemporary strip of waterside restaurants and bars, popular with the university crowd and busy on weekend evenings. Lincoln also has a strong pub tradition, with several historic coaching inns near the castle and cathedral serving cask ale from Lincolnshire breweries such as Bateman's, based in Wainfleet, alongside newer craft producers. The annual Lincoln Christmas Market brings food stalls selling mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and regional specialities into the streets around the cathedral each December. [Reepham Shooting Complex cafe ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/reepham-shooting-complex-cafe) [Bar 89 Limited ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/bar-89-limited) [Cherry Tree Garden Centre ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/cherry-tree-garden-centre) [The Nomad Centre ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/the-nomad-centre) [Woodhill Catering ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/woodhill-catering) [Flair Bistro ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/flair-bistro) [Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/metheringham-airfield-visitor-centre) [Castle View Indian Cuisine ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants/castle-view-indian-cuisine) ## Attractions Near Lincoln [All attractions in Lincoln →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Lincoln. [3 mi Fun Farm North Hykeham · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hykeham/attractions/fun-farm) [4 mi The Terry O Toole Theatre North Hykeham · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hykeham/attractions/the-terry-o-toole-theatre) [4 mi One NK Leisure Centre North Hykeham · ⭐ 4.0](https://staycation.co.uk/north-hykeham/attractions/one-nk-leisure-centre) [5 mi Doddington Hall & Gardens Doddington · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/doddington/attractions/doddington-hall-gardens) [5 mi Whisby Nature Park Thorpe on the Hill · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/thorpe-on-the-hill/attractions/whisby-nature-park) [8 mi Metheringham Swimming Pool Metheringham · ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/metheringham/attractions/metheringham-swimming-pool) [9 mi Rand Farm Park Market Rasen · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/market-rasen/attractions/rand-farm-park) [11 mi Ocean Walker Academy Market Rasen · ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/market-rasen/attractions/ocean-walker-academy) ## Camping in Lincoln(16) [All campsites in Lincoln →](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping) About camping in Lincoln Lincoln sits within easy reach of open Lincolnshire countryside, and the campsites around the city reflect the county's quieter, more agricultural character rather than any coastal draw. Nothing sits directly within the historic centre, unsurprisingly given its medieval street pattern, but a handful of well-run sites lie within a few miles, close enough for an evening trip uphill to the cathedral while still offering genuine rural surroundings by day. The closest option is the council-run touring park inside Hartsholme Country Park itself, on the western edge of the city, which combines proper campsite facilities with direct access to woodland, lakes and cycle paths without needing a car to reach the centre. Further out, small farm sites around villages such as Branston and Haddington offer a quieter, more traditional camping experience, often family-run, with dark skies and views back towards the cathedral across open fields. Facilities vary considerably between these sites, from simple certificated locations aimed at experienced tourers to family-friendly farm campsites with glamping options and play space for children, so it is worth checking what each offers, particularly around electric hookups, showers and whether tents are welcomed alongside caravans and motorhomes, before booking. [Barff Farm Fenside Certificated Location ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/barff-farm-fenside-certificated-location) [Barlings Country Holiday Park ⭐ 4.3 · from £48/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/barlings-country-holiday-park) [Branston Moor Campsite ⭐ 4.9 · from £17/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/branston-moor-campsite) [Camper UK Leisure Park ⭐ 4.8 · from £22/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/camper-uk-leisure-park) [Grange Farm Caravan and Campsite ⭐ 4.7 · from £30/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/grange-farm-caravan-and-campsite) [Grove Farm Camping ⭐ 4.9 · from £13/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/grove-farm-camping) [Hanworth Country Park ⭐ 4.5 · from £25/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/hanworth-country-park) [Hartsholme Country Park Campsite ⭐ 4.6 · from £18/night](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping/hartsholme-country-park-campsite) ## Self-Catering Cottages in Lincoln(23) [All cottages in Lincoln →](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages) [4 South Park 3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £510](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/4-south-park-syk1170016) [Alberts Lodge 3 bed · sleeps 5 · from £329](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/alberts-lodge-syk956180) [Cyrabel 3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £567](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/cyrabel-uk41952) [Lincoln House 4 bed · sleeps 8 · from £639](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/lincoln-house-syk1018795) [Lincoln Retreats - Strugglers Retreat 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £483](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/lincoln-retreats-strugglers-retreat-uk32878) [Lincoln Retreats - Victoria’s Retreat 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £497](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/lincoln-retreats-victoria-s-retreat-uk41475) [Madje Apartment 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £437](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/madje-apartment-syk1174731) [Rasen Cottage 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £577](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages/rasen-cottage-uk36167) ## Common questions about Lincoln How many campsites are there in Lincoln? We list 16 campsites in and around Lincoln, of which 14 take tents and 9 offer glamping. Are there dog-friendly campsites in Lincoln? Yes — 9 of the 16 campsites we list in Lincoln accept dogs, including Barff Farm Fenside Certificated Location and Branston Moor Campsite. Which campsites in Lincoln have electric hook-up? 13 of the 16 campsites we list in Lincoln offer an electric hook-up. How many holiday cottages are there in Lincoln? We list 23 self-catering cottages in and around Lincoln. Can I take a dog to a holiday cottage in Lincoln? Yes — 11 of the 23 Lincoln cottages we list allow pets. Are there large holiday cottages in Lincoln for groups? Yes — the largest cottage we list in Lincoln sleeps 9. Where can I stay in Lincoln? We list 38 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Lincoln. Prices start from around £70 a night. What is there to do in Lincoln? We list 29 attractions and things to do in and around Lincoln. Where can I eat in Lincoln? We list 80 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Lincoln. ### 🏨 Find Hotels in Lincoln Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DLincoln%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore Lincoln - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/lincoln/restaurants) - [🗺️ More in Lincolnshire](https://staycation.co.uk/lincolnshire) - [🧭 All of the East Midlands](https://staycation.co.uk/regions/east-midlands) ## Staycation ideas for Lincoln [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [Lincoln Christmas Market: What Happened, and What Runs Now Lincoln's famous four-day street market ended after 2022. A much smaller, ticketed market now runs inside the cathedral. Here is what changed, what to expect in 2026, and whether it is still worth the trip.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/lincoln-christmas-market) [UK Staycations You Can Reach Without a Car Britain's rail network reaches more holiday country than people expect. These are the destinations where arriving by train is genuinely easier than driving, and where you won't need a car once you're there.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/staycations-without-a-car) [UK Christmas Market Breaks: Where to Go and When Britain's Christmas markets range from vast city-centre affairs to small cathedral-close gatherings. A guide to the best-known ones and how to time a visit to avoid the worst of the crowds.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/christmas-market-staycations-uk) [Nottingham Staycation Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat A Nottingham staycation guide: where to stay, Wollaton Hall, the City of Caves and Newstead Abbey, where to eat in Hockley and the Lace Market, a two-day plan, Sherwood Forest camping and nearby day trips.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/nottingham-staycation-guide)