Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire spans from the cathedral city of Lincoln, with its hilltop skyline and historic streets, to a long stretch of coastline dotted with traditional seaside resorts. Skegness and Mablethorpe offer classic bucket-and-spade holidays with amusements and sandy beaches, while Sutton-on-Sea and Chapel St Leonards provide a quieter alternative for family breaks. Boston, with its market square and famous Stump tower, reflects the region's trading past and makes a good base for exploring the flat, fertile Fens.

Inland, Market Rasen suits those after a rural pace, sitting near the Wolds and known for its racecourse, while Woodhall Spa charms visitors with its wooded setting and Edwardian character. Alford retains a market-town feel with its windmill and country charm, and Burgh Le Marsh bridges coast and countryside neatly. Smaller villages such as Addlethorpe and North Somercotes offer genuine peace, ideal for those wanting to escape the busier resorts while staying close to the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape.

Lincolnshire's spread of hotels and B&Bs runs from the cathedral city of Lincoln, where guest houses cluster near the historic uphill quarter, to smaller market towns such as Grantham, Bourne and Market Rasen, each with a handful of dependable places to stay. Alford and Brigg add further options for those touring the Wolds or the county's quieter eastern reaches.

Styles vary considerably: converted farmhouses like Rectory Farm Annexe and The Coach House Denton suit those wanting rural peace, while properties such as The Old Parsonage and Creston Villa Guest House offer a more traditional town-based stay. Country houses including Marston Hall sit at the grander end, with simpler inns and guest houses like Kildrummy Inn and The Hollies Guest House catering to shorter, practical stopovers.

Choosing where to base yourself often comes down to what you plan to see - Lincoln for the cathedral and castle, Bourne or Grantham for exploring the countryside, or Market Rasen and Alford if the Wolds are the main draw.

Lincolnshire's days out cover a broad range, from the historic streets of Lincoln and Stamford to the coastal fun of Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe. Families tend to gravitate towards the seaside towns for arcades, mini golf and swimming, while inland towns like Sleaford, Spalding and Market Rasen offer a quieter mix of activities that reward a bit of local knowledge.

Escape rooms, treasure hunts and adventure centres have become popular additions across the county, with Stamford, Mablethorpe and Scunthorpe all offering their own versions for a wet afternoon or a group outing. Elsewhere, more unusual attractions such as Tanktopia and North Scarle Miniature Railway give a sense of how varied the county's offering has become.

Choosing where to go often comes down to how far you're willing to travel and what sort of day you're after. Woodhall Spa and Brigg suit a slower pace, while Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes pack in more activity-based options for those wanting a full day out.

Lincolnshire's dining scene runs from cathedral-city restaurants in Lincoln to no-nonsense seaside fare in Skegness, Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe, where fish and chips and family-friendly cafes are the order of the day. Grimsby and Scunthorpe offer a working-town mix of pubs and casual eateries, while smaller places like Louth, Sleaford and Barton-upon-Humber tend towards traditional pubs and tearooms with a slower pace.

What suits best depends on the trip. Coastal towns are geared up for day-trippers and holidaymakers wanting a quick, hearty meal, while Lincoln has more choice for an evening out, with a broader spread of cuisines and settings. Elsewhere across the county, village pubs and garden centre cafes fill the gaps, useful for a stop between market towns or a break from touring the Wolds and coastline.

Lincolnshire's flat, open landscape and quiet lanes make it good territory for campsites and glamping, with a strong scattering of small farm-based sites rather than big holiday parks. Near Alford and Market Rasen you're within reach of the Wolds, while sites around Boston, Spalding and Stickney sit closer to the fens and coast, handy for exploring Lincolnshire's waterways and market towns.

Many of the county's pitches are certificated locations or working farms offering a handful of spots, such as Buttercup Farm Certificated Location or JJEB Farm, which suit those wanting a low-key stay away from crowds. For something more comfortable, places like Bain View Glamping, Waites Farm Glamping and Charabanc Meadows offer furnished pods and cabins, while Herigerbi Park and Ashleigh Farm Caravan and Glamping cater to both campers and glampers on the same site.

Choosing between them often comes down to setting: Lincoln and Gainsborough put you near the city and river, while Grantham and Haltham suit those wanting easy access south towards Rutland and the A1. Spring Bottom Farm and Pear Tree Cottage at Poplar Farm are typical of the smaller, rural options spread right across the county.

Lincolnshire's self-catering cottages range from tucked-away city bases to quiet retreats near the Wolds and the coast. Lincoln accounts for much of the choice, with properties like Lincoln Heart House and the Lincoln Retreats collection, including Strugglers Retreat and Victoria's Retreat, putting the cathedral quarter and old town within easy walking distance. St Andrews Cottages, such as Egon House and Ida's Place, add further options close to the city centre.

Further afield, Boston offers a different pace, with the market place and Boston Stump as a backdrop rather than a cluster of medieval streets. Cottages such as Cyrabel, Francis Cottage, Rasen Cottage and Love Lane Villa suit those wanting a base for exploring the wider county, from the Fens to the coast, at a slower speed than a city stay allows. The Blue House rounds out a spread that covers both town and country settings.