Things to do in Lincolnshire With Kids Right Now

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Now that England is opening up a little more, there are more options of things to do in Lincolnshire with kids. Whether you live within driving distance or are perhaps visiting the area whilst camping, here you will find lots of current details on the following places. Including where to eat on site, toilet facilities, guidelines, what facilities are closed and other useful information. (For some lovely walks see here)

• Lincoln Castle (Castle Square)
• Lincoln Cathedral (Minster Yard)
• Natureland Seal Sanctuary (Skegness)
• International Bomber Command Centre (Canwick Hill)
• Bransby Horses (Bransby)
• Doddington Hall & Gardens (Doddington)
• Belton House (Grantham)
• Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway (Cleethorpes)

For more details, go straight to your preferred attraction by selecting it from the contents table or scroll down.

Things to do in Lincolnshire with kids.

Lincoln Castle (Castle Square)

From the website: Lincoln Castle’s grounds are free to enter and explore – perfect for a rest or a picnic in a unique location. Look out for the Castle Stories on plaques on the floor throughout that tell the stories of the people who have visited or even resided in the castle over the years.

Opening Date: now open (10 am – 5 pm, last entry 4:30 pm)

Where to eat: 

• Langton’s Cafe is open for takeaway only
• If you are having a picnic, please take your litter away with you and avoid drinking from glasses. 

Toilets: The public toilets are closed

Accessibility: 

• The majority of the grounds of the castle are flat and accessible. 
• There is a lift to the David PJ Ross Magna Carta Vault, which is fully accessible.
• Admission is free for carers of visitors with disabilities
• The castle has two wheelchairs for hire
• Wheelchair access to the East section of the wall walk will remain available but will be limited to two wheelchair users at any one time. 

Other useful information:

• No dogs except assistance dogs
• Groups – Offer Temporarily Invalid
• Free entry to the Castle grounds
• Medieval Wall Walk – Under 5’s: Free
• Castle map is available on the website

Guidelines:

• Lincoln Castle is introducing a one-way system. Entry in will be through the main East Gate and access out will be by the West Gate.
• No maps or handouts will be distributed on-site
• There will be a new limited capacity, and you may be required to queue before entering. 
• Visitors must pre-book their ticket Medieval Wall Walk Tickets online
• The public toilets, castle gift shop and Langton’s Cafe will not be open during your visit. 
• Children under 16 should be accompanied at all times
• No cycling, skateboarding or use of scooters in the grounds
• No BBQs or other fires

Lincoln Cathedral (Minster Yard)

From the website: Lincoln Cathedral offers a wide range of facilities for worshippers and visitors. A day out at Lincoln Cathedral could be part of a day trip to the city or part of a longer break. Whether you are visiting the Cathedral to worship, to light a candle, to have a time of quiet, to admire the stunning architecture or just meeting friends for lunch, you can find a warm welcome here in Lincoln.

Opening Date: now open for individual private prayer and reflection

Monday – Saturday

• 8am – Morning Prayer – St Hugh’s Shrine. Please enter via the Judgement Door
• 10am – 3pm – Open for private prayer and reflection
• 5.30pm – Evening Prayer – St Hugh’s Shrine. Please enter via the Judgement Door or follow the one-way system from the North West Door.

Sunday

• 8am – Morning Prayer – St Hugh’s Shrine. Please enter via the Judgement Door
• 9.30am – Holy Communion – Nave. Please enter via the North West Door
• 3.45pm – Evening Prayer – St Hugh’s Shrine. Please enter via the Judgement Door or follow the one-way system from the North West Door.

Where to eat: Restaurants near Lincoln Cathedral

Toilets: closed

Accessibility: 

• Around 85% of the Cathedral and its grounds are accessible by wheelchair. 
• Externally there are steps (fitted with handrails) and ramps to enter and exit the cathedral. 
• Internally the cathedral is accessible via ramps, (with the exception of the side chapels). 
• Accessible toilets are available, along with baby changing facilities. 
• Disabled visitors pay the concession rate. Carers enter for free. 

Other useful information:

• Assistance dogs are welcome in the cathedral and grounds.
• Children (under 5 years) – Free

Guidelines:

• The first hour of opening, between 10am – 11am, Tuesday to Saturday, is reserved for anyone who identifies as vulnerable.
• To help people maintain their distance from others, there will be a limit on the number of people allowed into the Cathedral at any one time.
• As the Cathedral is open for private prayer only, there is no entry charge at the moment. Donations are encouraged
• Please follow the one-way system as you make your way around the building
• Remember to keep your distance from others
• Hand sanitiser stations can be found around the building
• If you can, please use our contactless payment points for your donation rather than cash
• Please note that our shop, refectory and toilets remain closed.
• There is currently no access to the Chapter House or Cloister.

Natureland Seal Sanctuary (Skegness)

From FB page: Natureland is a fun and educational day out for all the family. Winner of Lincolnshire Family Attraction of the year and Lincolnshire Star awards. Natureland is the perfect place to visit whatever the weather. Natureland is famous for its work rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured seal pups that get washed ashore on Lincolnshire beaches.

Opening Date: now open daily (10 AM to 5 PM, last admission 4 PM)

Where to eat: 

• The cafe will be closed. Kiosk on the side will be serving snacks and drinks
• You can bring a picnic (there are designated undercover picnic area and several benches around the park)

Toilets: Situated near the aquarium and another near the Blue Lagoon Cafe

Accessibility: 

• The park is a two-level site with slopes and wide maintained paths and there are numerous benches around the Park
• We do offer a discounted price for our disabled visitors and their carers. 
• There are easy wheelchair and pushchair access to all enclosures, on to the site and to the Gift Shop and Restaurant.
• We have ensured that any windows in our enclosures are viewable from a wheelchair. 
• There are ramps to access the aquarium, Tropical house and all other areas.
• Disabled toilets are located in the restaurant and in the picnic area near the Aquarium. 

Other useful information:

• Natureland does not have a car park. A council-run pay and display car park is 100m North of Natureland.  There is limited on-road parking on the opposite side of the street outside Natureland.
• Park map is available on the website
• Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead at all times (not allowed in the Gift Shop, Blue Lagoon Restaurant or the Floral Palace)

Guidelines:

• Reptile House, Floral Palace and Aquarium/Sea Life Exhibit – closed until July 4th
• There are currently No Feeding Times
• One-way system is observed around the park
• There are floor markings to ensure 2-metre spacing
• Vastly reduced visitor capacity
• Hand sanitizers will be placed around the park at regular intervals
• Contactless payments are encouraged
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards or skates are not permitted on the Park at anytime

International Bomber Command Centre (Canwick Hill)

From the website: The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) is a world-class facility to serve as a point for recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command. Providing the most comprehensive record of the Command in the world, the IBCC ensures that generations to come can learn of their vital role in protecting the freedom we enjoy today.

Opening Date: 21st July, Tuesday to Sunday 9.30 AM – 5 PM (last entry to the Exhibition 4 PM)

Where to eat: The Hub Café (9.30 AM to 4.30 PM)

Toilets: open, with baby changing facilities

Accessibility: 

• Concessions for paying exhibitions are available for disabled visitors. A companion ticket is also provided free of charge. 
• Paths are suitable for limited mobility and wheelchair use
• Free wheelchairs available for visitor use
• Our quietest times of the day are 09.30 to 10.30 and 15.30 to 17.00

Other useful information:

• Access to the 9 acres of landscaped Peace Gardens and Memorial is free of charge
• Parking – £3 per car per day.
• Assistance dogs are welcome and can accompany visitors throughout all areas of the site. Other dogs are welcomed within the gardens.
• Under 5’s go free

Guidelines:

• Pre-booking of tickets, tours and parking to reduce interaction with pay points and reception staff at the centre
• Signage reminding people to socially distance, wash hands, use contactless payments will be prominently displayed
• Social distancing markers applied to floors
• One-way system around the centre marked on floors and accompanied by maps distributed to all staff and visitors

Bransby Horses (Bransby)

From the website: Founded in 1968 by Mr Peter Hunt, Bransby Horses is one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities. Dedicated to improving the lives of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. We now have two sites: Bransby which is home to over 300 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, and our Barlings site which homes over 40 horses and ponies. We also have over 500 horses and ponies in foster homes. Our Bransby Family Fosterers are an essential part in helping us continue our welfare work, enabling us to take on more equines in need. 

Opening Date: 8th July (Wednesday to Sunday 10am until 3 PM)

Where to eat: 

• Bring your own picnic and use one of two allocated picnic areas. Remember to bring a rug as seating will be limited.
• Pre-order food via a new Click and Collect service available online. 
• Order on the day at the temporary outdoor café located in the food courtyard area – there will be a designated queuing area for visitors to purchase hot and cold food outside.
• Enjoy inside table service. This will have limited availability due to socially distanced tables and will be allocated to visitors who are ordering meals (rather than just drinks/snacks). This will operate on a first come first served basis and once full there will be a booking system in place managed by the café team.

Toilets: As well as internal toilets we have outside toilets, which will be regularly cleaned. You will receive further information upon arrival at the site.

Accessibility: 

• There is ample car parking on site with 4 designated spaces providing wide access (approximately 1200mm wide) for disabled visitors, 3 designated mother and baby parking spaces and 3 minibus spaces. 
• A wheelchair is available for loan throughout your visit if required. 
• The Horse Sense room is accessed via a ramp and through a door which can be pushed with one hand and stays open until manually closed.
• Viewing of the animals in training is available for all as a standard farm gate is used, which can be seen through at any height.
• There are two disabled toilets located on-site. One to the right-hand side of the Visitor Centre, through the Gift shop, the second at the visitor toilet block located near the Feedroom Cafe.

Other useful information:

• Free parking
• All dogs are welcome (except in the Feedroom Cafe, only assistance dogs are allowed)

Guidelines:

• Our site has free entry, and in line with the UK Government guidance, please be prepared to use contactless payment methods for purchases in our newly refurbished gift and donated goods shops. We will continue to take cash from visitors who do not have a contactless payment method and for contributions to donation stations.
• Visitors are not required to book tickets online for now. This will be reviewed and implemented should the need arise.
• Be aware that some parts of the site have been restricted and some facilities may be suspended.
• Though petting of our animal residents won’t be allowed, visitors can still enjoy watching our equines at a safe distance whilst walking in the miles of beautiful countryside we have here.
• Floor and wall markings will guide you on social distancing.
• You’ll be asked to regularly use hygiene stations/hand sanitiser dispensers on the site. Stringent cleaning measures will be in place.
• Reduced visitor capacity:
• Only within the shops and café – outside we are not restricting capacity but will continue to ask visitors to remain at a safe distance – especially when passing on the walkways.

Doddington Hall & Gardens (Doddington)

From the website: A privately owned, fine late Elizabethan Mansion with stunning gardens, located just outside Lincoln, highlighting 400 years of unbroken family occupation and a delightful cafe, restaurant, farm shop, and more.

Opening Date: now open daily (10 AM to 4 PM, gardens only)

Where to eat: Doddington Coffee Shop, situated in Giant Store Lincoln, for hot/cold drinks, cake and ice cream. Open daily 9am-4.30pm (Sun 10am-3.30pm)

Toilets: Toilets are open in the Gardens, Farm Shop Courtyard and Bike Shop

Accessibility: 

• There is dedicated parking for blue badge holders outside the entrances to the Gatehouse and the Farm Shop.
• The entrance to the Hall and Gardens is through our Gatehouse. We will happily open the gates for you if the doorway is too narrow. Double doors across the estate provide access to the Farm Shop, Café & Restaurant and our Coach House.
• 2 for 1 entry for carers. Carers of disabled visitors (who themselves are only able to visit the House &/or Gardens with the help of a carer) are admitted free of charge.
• Lavatories – We have disabled facilities in the Hall, the Gardens, the Coach House and the Farm Shop.
• Most of the 5 acre gardens can be explored by wheelchair along a mixture of grass and gravel paths.

Other useful information:

• Under 4yrs free admission
• Free parking is available in the main car park opposite the Hall
• Dogs and picnics are not permitted in the gardens. Both are welcome in our Parkland.
• Assistance dogs are welcome in the Hall, Gardens, Farm Shop, Café and Restaurant.

Guidelines:

• The Farm Shop and Giant Store Lincoln Bike Shop are open daily. 
• The Hall remains closed for the foreseeable future and the cafes and restaurant are closed. 
• To ensure the safety of both our visitors and staff, we politely ask that you adhere to the safety measures in place and respect the 2m social distancing rule at all times.
• Aqueous Ozone hand sanitiser is available at all entry points – please spray onto your hands and rub for 20 seconds prior to entering
• Please pay via contactless card payment if possible

Belton House (Grantham)

From the website: Sitting elegantly in formal gardens with views across pleasure grounds and an ancient deer-park, Belton is often cited as being the perfect example of an English country-house estate. Although built on a modest scale, it has a fine collection of porcelain and silver, a world-renowned library and architectural finesse that reflects the continued wealth and cultured tastes of its former owners, the Brownlow family. In more recent times, Belton has become a popular destination for families in search of outdoor fun, with seasonal trails and the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground.

Opening Date: now open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (parkland and gardens only) 

Where to eat: The Stables Restaurant will be open as a takeaway offer only, and only accepts card payments.

Toilets: Toilet facilities will be available. Baby-changing facilities are available in the parkland and garden toilets.

Accessibility: 

• Designated mobility parking available close to visitor reception.
• Accessible toilets are located in the parkland and garden.
• Please be aware that mobility scooter, wheelchair hire and property run transport will not be available.

Other useful information:

• Dogs on leads are welcome but not allowed in the formal gardens.
• Registered guide dogs are allowed in the gardens.
• Parking is free to visitors either showing a valid National Trust membership card or paying for admission to the property.

Guidelines:

• To open safely, we’re limiting visitor numbers and you’ll need to book your visit in advance. Sadly, if you don’t book, you’ll be turned away, even if you’re a member.
• Please arrive within your 30-minute timeslot. You’re then welcome to stay until closing time.
• Please note that the Outdoor Adventure Playground will remain closed.
• Shop open 11:00-16:00 Thursday to Monday inclusive. Social distancing measures in place in our shop – no more than two customers at a time.
• Mansion, Bookshop, Visitor Reception and Indoor Play remain closed.
• The Outdoor adventure playground is currently closed.
• Ride Play Café is currently closed.

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway (Cleethorpes)

From the website: The Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway is one of Britain’s oldest seaside miniature railways, and has been delighting young and old for over 70 years. Not only does the four-mile return journey offer a relaxing way to enjoy beautiful views along the picturesque Humberside Coast, but our line also doubles as a transport link connecting Cleethorpes Promenade with Humberston (near Thorpe Park Holiday Centre) via our main station Lakeside.

Opening Date: 4th July (Trains run every 30 minutes from 10:00 AM until 4:30 PM)

Where to eat: Platform One Café –  serving grab and go service only with a limited menu, no indoor seating and only disposable cutlery and trays will be used

Toilets: There are currently two toilets, both with disabled access at Lakeside Station with baby changing facilities.

Accessibility: 

• Our stations are wheelchair-friendly with ramped access.
• Accessible toilets available at Lakeside Station with free parking for blue badge holders at all stations.

Other useful information:

• Children Under 2 free admission
• We welcome dogs on board our trains for just £1.50. However, only guide dogs are permitted in Platform One Café and selected Special Events.
• Parking is available at all of our stations.

Guidelines:

• We are currently only accepting card payment (contactless preferred) at both Lakeside & Cleethorpes Kingsway Stations.
• Smoking is not permitted on our trains, station buildings and platforms during open hours. Designated smoking areas can be found in The Signal Box Inn beer gardens.

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