Lincoln is famous for its thousand-year-old cathedral, a castle that houses Magna Carta, and the very steep journey up to these sights. All of them are likely to be at the top of your to-do list whilst living in the city, but Lincoln is filled with a variety of hidden gems that are worth visiting as well.
Maybe you’re a fresher who’s new to the city, a second year looking for somewhere different to grab a coffee, or a third year who needs somewhere to de-stress? Whichever year you’re in, here’s a list of Lincoln gems that you might have yet to discover:
The Lincoln Arboretum
First up is Lincoln’s Arboretum, which is only a ten-minute walk beyond the cathedral. At the park, you can relax amongst the beautiful gardens, fountains and bridges, or take a walk around its Victorian bandstand and miniature maze. The Arboretum is great for exploring with friends, reading a book, or even sunbathing if you’re lucky with the weather.
The Angel Coffee House
Next up is a quaint café that sits at the heart of Lincoln. The Angel Coffee House is perfect for satisfying your caffeine fix, whether that’s solo or with a friend. The café has a relaxing and friendly atmosphere.
GO Gelato
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure to stop by GO Gelato. You can choose to keep it simple with an ice cream cone or go all out with their crazy freak shakes. They’re open every day of the week, and it’s 100% worth the calories.
The Pyewipe Inn
Take a leisurely stroll and follow the canal beyond Lincoln Courts for around 20-30 minutes and you’ll arrive at the Pyewipe Inn. It’s a very cosy pub inside, but if it’s warm enough, grab a drink and sit outside to watch the boats go by.
Doddington Hall
This hidden gem requires a car for the ten-minute drive, so don’t forget to check it out on your way in or out of the city. Doddington Hall is an Elizabethan mansion that’s a must if you’re into history, architecture or you just like cute gardens. Best of all, Doddington has a huge pumpkin patch where you can go and pick your own from the 21st October up until Halloween.
Widow Cullen’s Well
Next up is a pub with great ambiance that you’ll find towards the top of Steep Hill. The traditional pub offers beer, wines, spirits and food all reasonably priced, and has a quirky see-through floor just outside the bathroom that shows you the original well.
Makushi Coffee Roasters
If you’re heading up Steep Hill and need a pit stop to refuel, give Makushi Coffee a go. This café freshly roasts its own coffee and has a great lunch menu with a range of vegan food too. If you’re looking to jazz up your breakfast, try out their colourful smoothie bowls.
The South Common
Lincoln’s South Common is a half-an-hour walk south of the Brayford, but well worth the journey. If you’re looking for a quiet place to explore with friends or relax amongst nature it’s the perfect place for you.
Rising Café from the Rubble
Head over to Newland Road and you’ll find Rising Café at the front of the Alive Church. With affordable homemade food, a vintage aesthetic and some amazing cakes, this café is a must see. Also, because the café is a charity all their proceeds go towards helping people who suffered from homelessness and substance abuse
The Original Lincoln Ghost Walk
Spend an evening on the award-winning tour of Lincoln’s historic Cathedral Quarter. Filled with stories of ghostly hauntings and supernatural sightings the tour costs only a fiver. It runs from Wednesday to Saturday at 7pm with no booking needed, but make sure you turn up 10 minutes early.