Last Updated on June 23, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
Lincolnshire is a great county to visit if you are on the lookout for a great choice of family-friendly days out. Not only that but a lot of these days out are £6 and under per person or even better, free! This is my list of 40 of the best free or cheap things to do in Lincolnshire.
Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, Spalding
Cost – Entry to the museum and gardens is FREE, you will probably have to pay to park in Spalding.
Address – Churchgate, Spalding PE11 2RA
About – This is an interesting museum giving information on the town and surrounding area. It gives detailed information about the agricultural history of the surrounding area and fens. The gardens are lovely and well-kept. There is an aviary and children’s play area.
Beaches of Lincolnshire
Cost – FREE or a minimal parking fee
About and where – Lincolnshire has plenty of beaches with easy access for the public. There is a wide range of beaches from ones with nothing to do there except play on the beach, to resorts with amusements such as Chapel St Leonards up to busy resorts such as Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Lincolnshire beaches – Anderby Creek – A lovely quiet beach that stretches on and on. There is a café and toilets near the beach. Don’t visit here expecting amusements. This is a getaway from it all beach. Parking is free at the beach.
Chapel St Leonards – A quaint holiday village near another of Lincolnshire’s sandy beaches. There are amusements, restaurants, shops and pubs.
Cleethorpes – Ride on the Lollipop train from one end of Cleethorpes to the other. Go boating on the boating lake. Visit the jungle zoo or take a ride on a steam train at Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.
Huttoft – Also known as Mogg’s Eye Beach. Huttoft is another quiet beach with sand dunes. There is a car park, which has space for 150 cars. There are also toilets and a good picnic area.
Mablethorpe – My favourite of all the beaches. Catch the famous sand train up to Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary. Head back down to the main sandy beach for rides, amusements, donkeys, crazy golf and more. There’s also a boating lake with a variety of facilities. I have plenty of ideas for things to do in Mablethorpe.
Skegness – Skegness is the biggest and the busiest of all the villages/towns on the Lincolnshire coastline. There is plenty to do here. There’s an aquarium, amusements, rides, donkeys, soft play, bowling, pier and more.
Sutton-on-sea – There is a paddling pool and playground near the beach. The place itself isn’t massive but it’s a nice beach to visit. They have beach huts to rent along the front and they have a beach hut festival every year.
Bransby Horses, near Lincoln
Cost – FREE, it does, however, rely on donations
Address – Bransby, Lincoln LN1 2PH
About – Bransby Horses is one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities; dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and providing a safe haven. It is free to visit although they do welcome donations. There is a café and a playground for the kids.
You are able to walk around the paddocks and into a stable to see their horses and donkeys. They have adoption days, pony grooming and children’s craft days. More Information here.
Claythorpe Watermill and Wildfowl Gardens
Cost – Adults are just £5.80 each. Children 3-15 are £3.50 and children under 3 are free. A family ticket is £16.50.
Address – Claythorpe, Alford LN13 0DU
About – Open from mid-March until the end of October. Set within pretty grounds surrounding the mill. The mill now houses a café and there’s a walk around their animal and bird cages. If you cross the road you will find a woodland play area. It’s not a big place but it’s a pleasant place to visit. More Information.
Cleethorpes Lollipop Road train
Cost – The cost is £1.50 per person each way, children under two are free and all children are given a lollipop.
Address – The train runs every 30 minutes following a route from the north promenade, near the pier, linking up with the light railway near the leisure centre.
About – Take a fun ride along the seafront offering scenic views of the beach, sea and beautiful flower beds. It is a delightful journey for the young and not-so-young. The train runs every 30 minutes following a route from the north promenade, near the pier, linking up with the light railway near the leisure centre. The train does not run all year round.
Cleethorpes Light Coast Railway
Cost – On non-event days a standard return is £5.40 for an adult and £4.90 for a child. There are other pricing options and family tickets are available.
Address – Lakeside Station, Kings Road, Cleethorpes DN35 0AG
About – The award-winning Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway has been delighting old and young alike for generations. Sit back and enjoy a 4-mile return journey along the picturesque Humberside coast on one of Britain’s oldest seaside miniature railways. They have special events days including Thomas the Tank engine. More Information.
Crazy Golf – Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skegness
Cost – Varies but you will usually pay no more than £5 per person
Address – Can be found in Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skegness (Grand Parade).
About – Jolly Roger adventure golf, Skegness – Located next to the aquarium there is a great and fun pirate theme to the holes. They are open throughout the summer and most of the spring. I have even spotted them open over the winter months. Please let me know if you know how much a round of adventure golf is here thanks.
Mablethorpe – There are a few crazy golf courses in Mablethorpe. There are two large pirate-themed courses plus a dinosaur one in the centre and another at Queen’s Park.
Oddballs Crazy golf, Cleethorpes – “With the likes of Haile Sand Fort, Waltham Windmill, Cleethorpes Pier and the Boy With The Leaking Boot as hazards, Oddballs is a formidable golfing arena. In particular, much pride has been vaporised in the course’s tricky forest section and sinking a hole-in-one on the long putt at the 18 is an achievement to boast about for years.”
Daisy Made Ice Cream, near Lincoln
Cost – You just need to buy an ice cream to be able to enjoy most of their facilities.
Address – Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln, LN6 5SA
About – This is a small farm with a coffee shop serving homemade ice cream, animals to pet, crazy golf (13 holes) and a play area, including working diggers, bouncy castles and cars for the older kids to drive.
Donna Nook Nature Reserve
Cost – FREE to visit. Although they do charge £5 per car during autumn and winter to park when the seals are giving birth.
Address – Marsh Lane, Donna Nook, Louth, LN11 7PD
About – This is one of the best places to see Grey seals, in the UK. The best time to see them is during November and December when they give birth to their pups near the sand dunes. There is nothing quite like the haunting sound of the seals as you cross over the sand dunes to see them.
They are so close and many are right up against the fence. It is free to visit, although you may have to pay a small charge to park during the busy months. You can read more in my review over at – Seals at Donna Nook Nature Reserve – Tips & When to Visit.
RSPB Frampton Marsh
Cost – Adults are £3, £1.50 for a child and RSBP members are free. Free entrance for those under 5 and car park costs are free although they ask that non-members make a suggested donation of £2.
Address – Roads Farmhouse, Frampton Roads, Frampton, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 1AY
About – There is a visitor centre with toilets and refreshments. There are various walks and nature trails around the marshes with viewing points. Families are always welcome. You can get really close views of the birds from the visitor centre, where they’ve provided telescopes for visitors to use.
There’s also an RSPB guide on hand who will be happy to answer your questions. Binoculars can be hired from the visitor centre and taken out around the reserve. There are many children’s activities including events and treasure trails during school holidays. There are wildlife explorer backpacks available for children to hire. Free games are also available to keep them interested as they walk around. More Information.
Gibraltar Point
Cost – There is a small charge to park. The nature reserve itself is FREE to visit.
Address – Gibraltar Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE24 4SU
About – There is a recently built visitor centre at Gibraltar Point which houses a relatively large cafe, a small shop and toilets. It is open for most of the year. There are a number of walkways, cycle tracks and fully accessible paths through Gibraltar Point.
The Lincolnshire County Council Countryside for All leaflets detail path surfaces, gradients and cross-slopes as well as the location of seats, steps and gates. More Information.
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre
Cost – An adult ticket is £6.00, a child is £2.00 and a family ticket is £12.00.
Address – Alexandra Dock, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1UZ
About – “Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Grimsby as the ‘world’s premier fishing port’ at an award-winning attraction. Discover life for British trawlermen in a job described as ‘the most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK’. Climb aboard the historic ‘Ross Tiger’ trawler to experience the conditions aboard one of the earliest surviving diesel side-trawlers.” It is open for most of the year, aside from Mondays.
Hartsholme Country Park, Lincoln
Cost – FREE
Address – 377 Skellingthorpe Rd, Lincoln LN6 0EY
About – “Hartsholme Country Park is a great spot for a Lincoln MicroBreak filled with nature, wildlife and wonder. With walks around the reservoir and wooded trails, a children’s play area and picnic spots – there’s plenty of nature to soak up in a fun and striking setting.” It is the perfect place to take a picnic and spend a few hours exploring. More Information.
Hubbard’s Hill, Louth
Cost – FREE, there is a charge to park
Address – Crowtree Ln, Louth LN11 0QW
About – This is a lovely little spot to let your kids run free on their beautiful tree and stream-lined paths. On a warm day, your children will love being able to splash in the stream. Although pebbly it’s not too deep so it’s good for paddling. Why not take nets too and see if you can catch anything? There is a small cafe next to the main car park. More Information.
Jubilee Park, Woodhall Spa
Cost – Adults £7.50 for a session and children 2-15 years old £6.50. Under 2’s are free. (please note the price has increased to over £6 since we first included Jubilee Park in our list)
Address – Stixwould Rd, Woodhall Spa LN10 6QH
About – This is an outdoor Lido pool open in spring and through the summer. The water is usually heated to a lovely and warm 29oC. There is a big grassed area to sit or even sunbathe. They have a large pool with a mini dolphin slide. Plus a toddler pool with a giant tap. More Information
Lincoln Arboretum
Cost – Pay and display parking facilities are available for public use at the weekends on Sewell Road. The park itself is FREE to visit.
Address – 16 Lindum Terrace, Lincoln LN2 5RT
About – This is a public park originally laid out in the late-19th century by Edward Milner. The park was restored in the early 21st century and features lakes, fountains and a 19th-century bandstand. There is also a children’s maze. There is a cafe in the park.
Louth – Meridian Leisure
Cost – General swimming without a Magna Vite card is £5.20 per person aged 5 and over. Children are free under 2 and £1.80 for 3 and 4-year-olds.
Address – Wood Ln, Louth LN11 8SA
About – As well as a large swimming pool they have a fun toddler pool with a pirate ship, slides and water pouring off it. There is also a long slide open at weekends or during school holidays. More Information.
Mablethorpe – Sand train
Cost – A round trip is just £2 each or there are plenty of other cheaper options available if you don’t need to travel the whole distance.
Address – Mablethorpe – The Sand train travels left down the beach to the Seal Sanctuary and back. There are 5 stops along the way including Haven and the cinema.
About – This is so affordable and so much fun. The sand train starts the day at a stop near the steps, just to the left of the main Mablethorpe beach. The best thing about the sand train is that not only does it ride on the sand but on the way back to Mablethorpe it also goes in the sea. What fun! You can find out more about Mablethorpe in my round-up post here – 16 Things To Do In Mablethorpe – Lincolnshire Seaside – Family Friendly.
Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincoln
Cost – FREE
Address – Burton Rd, Lincoln LN1 3LY
About – The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is a very child-friendly museum. We enjoyed our visit and you can read more about what there is to see and do there via my review – Museum of Lincolnshire life.
There’s plenty to see and do and learn all about the past years of Lincolnshire life. Jamie loved exploring the different halls full of displays, old shop displays and the history hunters’ playground. It’s a great attraction in any weather. We explored in the middle of winter! They also have children’s trails to make their visit a bit more interesting. Be sure to ask for a trail. There is also a shop and café on site.
Odeon, Lincoln
Cost – I won’t deny it a trip to the Odeon cinema in Lincoln can be very expensive. However, if you are willing to wait to watch one of their family-friendly films they have weekend family deals starting at just £2.50 a person.
Address – Brayford Wharf N, Lincoln LN1 1YS
About – State-of-the-art cinema on Brayford Waterfront in Lincoln. All the latest films are shown here in 2D and 3D where available.
Queens Park, Mablethorpe
Cost – FREE to visit the park itself including the paddling pool. A few of the activities are charged.
Address – Mablethorpe LN12 2AY
About – Queen’s Park has a boating lake, paddling pool, golf putting green, bowling green, tennis courts and a miniature railway.
Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary
Cost – FREE, it does, however, rely on donations
Address – Church Ln, Huttoft, Alford LN13 9RB
About – Situated out at Huttoft this donkey sanctuary is free to visit. The sanctuary is closed in January and February and most weeks after this it is just open on Saturdays. It is always recommended to ring before leaving home to check they are open. The sanctuary also has a few ponies.
Scunthorpe – Central Park Splash pad
Cost – FREE
Address – Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN16 1AB
About – A fully accessible Splashpad, suitable for children from 3 to 12 years old. Interactive with buttons to stand on for the water jets to come on. Central Park also has a fabulous children’s play area and small snack hut, plus toilet facilities on site. The splash park opens in the summer months.
Skegness Bowl
Cost – Daytime prices, for example, are £6.00 each for adults and £4.50 for children under 12. We visited at 10 am on a Saturday and they had an offer of £2.45 a game plus other voucher offers that you can download from their website.
Address – Grand Parade, Skegness PE25 2UE
About – Located within Skegness Pier you will find Skegness Bowl, amusements and more (see soft play) and includes a Hollywood bar and diner. They have a variety of pricing options including glow bowling.
Skegness – Embassy pool
Cost – General swimming is around £5 per adult and children are cheaper
Address – Grand Parade, Skegness PE25 2UG
About – In the heart of Skegness, the Embassy outdoor swimming complex offers a large 25m six-lane heated outdoor swimming pool with a ‘beach’ area for children to paddle. There is plenty of seating on the grass area, a snack bar offering refreshments and poolside chalets. There is also an indoor 25m six-lane pool with a 33m flume if you get a little chilly!
Skegness Fairy Dell
Cost – FREE
Address – Serena Rd, Skegness PE25 3HW
About – The Fairy Dell in Skegness is a fantastic paddling pool where your children can burn off some energy in the sunshine. With sprinklers, an ornamental fountain and pools, there is plenty of seating available. The paddling pool is located at the boating lake and is open during the warmer months. More information.
Soft play
Cost – Various
Address – Various
About – There are 30….yes 30… different soft play centres in Lincolnshire. They are all under £6 to visit and some allow adults to visit for free with a paying child. There are far too many to list here so I have put them all in a handy post which can be found here – 30 Soft Play Centres in Lincolnshire – Indoor Play Areas.
Tattershall Farm
Cost – The price has increased to over £6 since we first published this post but it’s still a great value day out. Please see the website for up-to-date pricing.
Address – Marsh Ln, Tattershall LN4 4JR
About – Tattershall Farm used to be our local farm and we could easily spend a whole day there. They have many different animals that you can feed including donkeys, goats, sheep and ponies. Plus more unusual animals such as Alpacas, Rheas and birds of prey.
There are two big fun bouncy pillows, outdoor adventure play, soft play, indoor and outdoor sandpits and much more. More Information.
The Collection, Lincoln
Cost – FREE
Address – Danes Terrace, Lincoln LN2 1LP
About – The Collection Museum is a really intriguing museum. It’s based on life from the past half a million years (nearly) in Lincolnshire. All different ages are accounted for and a lot of the exhibits can be touched or even worn.
There’s armour to wear, stained glass windows to make, touchscreen games and plenty more. Although the museum is very child-friendly. Play at the collection is well equipped for the little ones. There are plenty of dress-up outfits with a stage to act out their character. Toys (including Playmobil), crafts and more. More information.
The Village, Church Farm, Skegness
Cost – FREE, they do accept donations
Address – Church Rd S, Skegness PE25 2HF
About – This is Lincolnshire’s only open-air farming museum, situated in the heart of Skegness. There are so many things to see and explore at The Village Church Farm. They have many family-friendly events throughout the season. Some of the events may have an admission fee. I am struggling to find when they are or aren’t open. More Information.
Thornton Abbey and Gatehouse – English Heritage
Cost – Entrance is free to English Heritage members. It is mostly only open at weekends. The price has increased to over £6 since we first published this post. Adult ticket without donation is £7.70 and children over 5 are £4.
Address – Thornton Curtis, Ulceby, North Lincolnshire, DN39 6TU
About – Thornton Abbey’s enormous and ornate fortified gatehouse is the largest and amongst the finest in England. The architecture reflects the abbey’s history as one of Britain’s richest Augustinian abbeys.
You can still enter and walk around the Gatehouse. The Abbey itself is now a ruin but a fun one to explore. More Information.
Uncle Henry’s Farm
Cost – It’s FREE to visit the cafe, shop and playground. Every year during summer and autumn they have a maize maze which since first publishing this post has increased to over £6. It is now £9.95 for 2-17-year-olds and £7.95 for adults.
Address – Grayingham Grange Farm, B1205, Gainsborough DN21 4JD
About – This is a farm shop with a cafe and a playground for the kids. In the summer months, it opens up its maize maze. The maze is huge and we were in there for a long time finding clues and completing the challenge.
Viking way
Cost – FREE
Address – Various
About – The Viking Way is a long distance footpath which starts on the banks of the Humber in the north and winds its way through Lincolnshire to finish on the shores of Rutland Water, a total of 235km (147 miles). The route passes through the Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the market town of Horncastle, the Lincolnshire Limewoods, the City of Lincoln, the southern Lincolnshire Edge and the Kesteven Uplands before entering Leicestershire and Rutland.
Whisby Animal Centre
Cost – Children £4.99 and adults are £2.50.
Address – Whisby Rd, Whisby, Lincoln LN6 9BY
About – Located next to Whisby Garden Centre the animal centre isn’t massive however there is a large outdoor play area including a sand pit. They have also massively upgraded their soft play and installed a big new play barn.
Whisby Nature Park, Lincoln
Cost – There is a small charge to park. Everything else is FREE.
Address – Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln LN6 9BW
About – The lakes at Whisby Nature Park, near Lincoln, are surrounded by grassland, marsh, scrub and willow carr. Elements of the original landscape, from before quarrying also remain, with fragments of heathland, old hedgerows and a small oak woodland.
There’s a variety of walks to choose from around the lakes, bikes aren’t allowed. There is a lovely indoor play area, plus an outdoor play area, sandpit and water play. All are free. It is open all year. More information
Woodthorpe Garden Centre, near Alford (inc. Lincs Aquatics)
Cost – FREE
Address – B1373, Alford LN13 0DD
About – This is a garden centre with some extra facilities. There’s a small dinosaur exhibition, ‘Dinothorpe’ with animated dinosaurs, a maze and a playground for the kids. All are free to use. If you are visiting why not pop in Lincs Aquatics just down the road from here? There are more fish tanks than I’ve ever seen with more types of fish than I’ve ever seen.
They also have some tanks in the back room with lizards, snakes and more. Plus for just 60p you can feed the giant fish up in their large tank. As it’s a shop there is no charge other than buying the food for the fish. More Information
Wragby Maze
Cost – Prices have slightly increased since we first published this post. A ticket now costs £7 pp and under 2s are free.
Address – Bardney Road, Wragby, Lincoln, LN8 5QZ
About – “Get lost in the Wragby Maze On your next family day out. Enjoy the outdoor mazes and other games for children and adults.” Open from Easter until early September.
Wyndham Park, Grantham
Cost – FREE
Address – For SatNav use NG31 9BB, Off Hill avenue
About – Wyndham Park lies on the banks of the River Witham just to the north of Grantham Town Centre. It offers a wide range of facilities for young and old and proudly holds the Green Flag Award. There is a sensory garden, a toddlers’ play area and an excellent splash park. Plus playing fields, skateboard park, tea rooms and tennis court.
Please note: All prices are subject to change.
