Family days out in Lincolnshire: Fun for all ages

Looking for family fun in Lincolnshire but struggling to find something for all the family to enjoy? Well we have tons of good ideas for awesome family days out in Lincolnshire which are great fun and entertainment for kids and adults of all ages. Enjoy!

Super seal sanctuaries

If you’ve got a soft spot for seals then the residents at Lincolnshire’s seal sanctuaries are sure to have you wrapped around their flippers. The Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre looks after a number of different species of seals, while owls, seabirds and emus are some of the other animals that call the sanctuary home.

The Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary is another great place to see these charming creatures in addition to a variety of other animals such as penguins, meerkats, butterflies, freshwater and marine fish, crocodiles, snakes and spiders. You can also get close to and feed the tame animals within the pets’ corner that include the likes of rabbits, sheep, goats and guinea pigs.

Gorgeous nature reserves

The Donna Nook Nature Reserve is an excellent location for seeing wild grey seals and their pups. Each year during November and December the seals give birth close to the sand dunes within this national nature reserve. There is a viewing area for visitors that provides a wonderful opportunity to see and photograph the seals and pups while maintaining a respectful distance so as to cause them minimal disturbance.

The Frampton Marsh Nature Reserve is a beautiful coastal wetland reserve that is home to a multitude of bird species. Trails and footpaths make discovering the reserve easy and educational wildlife explorer backpacks for kids can be hired to help them learn and have fun at the same time. There are also lots of entertaining family-friendly events that take place at the reserve each year, including bug hunts, pond dipping, treasure trails and craft activities.

Awesome ancient architecture

In addition to stunning natural landscapes to explore, Lincolnshire has a great collection of manmade attractions to explore too, such as Gainsborough Old Hall. This medieval manor house is one of the most well-preserved of its kind in England and is over five centuries old. In addition to exploring the Hall, you can participate in the variety of events that are held here, from falconry displays to sampling recreated feast dishes.

Alternatively climb the six floors of the 15th century Tattershall Castle, from the basement all the way to the battlements where fantastic views are on offer. Free audio guides provide insight into the castle’s history, while events such as recreated medieval experiences enable you to step into the past and discover the medieval world for yourself.

A visit to splendid Burghley House and Park enables families to discover one of the finest Elizabethan houses in England, from the sumptuous interiors to the stunning gardens, with the Garden of Surprises and Sculpture Garden particularly well suited to fun family exploration.

Hop into history and entertaining education

Lincolnshire’s biggest community museum, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, is free to enter and packed full of interesting displays and exhibitions that will intrigue all members of the family. The museum is situated within a Victorian barracks and houses a number of different collections covering social history, the military, agriculture and industry. You can also see the museum’s resident WWI tank as well as the Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Galleries, while the outdoor playground is great for kids.

The Collection Museum combines fascinating archaeology displays and a superb art gallery. Archaeology displays cover a number of time periods including the Bronze Age, Viking, Roman and Medieval periods. In the art gallery you can see excellent paintings, sculptures, glasswork, clocks and ceramics. The free activity centre within the museum is stuffed full of fun things for children such as toys, books, dressing up costumes and art materials.

Have an adventure and get active

If a family day of getting active and seeking out adventure sounds like your ideal day then hit the trails on tyres and enjoy an exciting day of cycling. A mix of landscapes and cycling routes means you can tailor a cycling trip to suit your preferences, from coastal routes to wheeling through the Lincolnshire Wolds. The Water Rail Way is a wonderful choice to suit all family members as the majority of the route is free from cars and features eye-catching sculptures along the way, as well as being fairly flat so it accommodates a variety of fitness and cycling experience levels.

Ancaster Karting and Paintball offers another excellent day of adventure and action for kids as young as 7 years old up to adults, with high-speed thrills courtesy of karting and quad bikes as well as the opportunity to test your combat skills with paintball and laser tag.

Captivating culture and crafts

If you’re keen for some culture during a family day out in Lincolnshire, try the Rutland Open Air Theatre situated within the grounds of Tolethorpe Hall. A variety of plays that will appeal to younger as well as older visitors are performed here annually by the Stamford Shakespeare Company. These range from Shakespeare plays to Alice in Wonderland and the picturesque setting in which they are performed adds to the enjoyment of this great family outing.

If your family is eager to take centre stage themselves and demonstrate their creativity then pop into the Paint A Pot Place where you can choose from a wide range of ceramics and add your own stamp to them, either through painting them or decopatching which involves covering your chosen pottery with pieces of paper, with the only limit your imagination. Everything you need, from painting materials to protective clothing, is provided and helpful advice is on hand if required.

Fantastic fun for everyone

No matter what your family’s interests may be, whether they love animals, getting active or creative, or discovering more about the past and the amazing natural world, you’ll be able to have a terrific time together in Lincolnshire with these excellent days out.