When thinking of a city break in the UK, Lincoln might not be one of the first places you consider. However, there's a lot to do there. From visiting its cathedral (once reported to be the world's tallest building), delve into the history of the Second World War at the International Bomber Command Centre, or use it as a base for exploring the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape, or possibly something completely different - it's well worth considering a visit to Lincoln, particularly if you're a lover of history.
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Given its location in the east of England, you may perhaps think that Lincoln isn't easy to get to. Well, surprisingly, this isn't the case. It has a direct link to London with LNER, and the city also has direct services to Peterborough, Leicester, Leeds, Sheffield, and more (the remaining services are operated by East Midlands Railway and Northern), which helps to increase the possibility of getting cheap train tickets for your journey to Lincoln from our app or website. If you're arriving from further afield, then Humberside Airport is one possible option, but there are more flights into East Midlands Airport, near Derby and Nottingham.
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There are a good number of ways to get around Lincoln, and we've covered the main ones below.
So what is there to do in Lincoln? Well, read on, and you'll be able to find out! Get even more value out of your break in this city by purchasing cheap train tickets via our website or app.
Like many cities in the UK, the sport for which Lincoln is most well-known is probably football. Lincoln City FC play their home games at the LNER Stadium to the south of the city centre, and is also conveniently-located at being a short walk from Lincoln station. They're nicknamed 'The Imps' due to the legend of the Lincoln Imp, and also of interesting note is that Lincoln Red Imps (a football club from Gibraltar) gets their own name, after the legend of the Lincoln Imp - the Imp is a grotesque that can be found in the stonework of Lincoln Cathedral. Lincoln City FC have been through the divisions over the years, but currently play in League One (third tier of the English league system). They also won the EFL Trophy in 2018, defeating Shrewsbury Town 1-0 in the final at Wembley, and had a very notable run in the FA Cup in the 2016-17 season, reaching the quarter-finals where they lost 5-0 to eventual champions Arsenal - not a bad effort when they were playing non-league football at the time. The club also enjoys rivalries with Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United. There are other sports in the city, including American football courtesy of the Lincolnshire Bombers (their home ground is in North Hykeham to the south-west of the city), hockey through Lindum Hockey Club to the north of the city, and more. In terms of famous sportspeople from Lincoln, one of the more well-known figures is footballer Sam Clucas, who played in the Premier League for Hull City and Stoke City, and is currently in Lincoln City's squad at the time of writing.
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Lincoln's history can be traced back over 2000 years, with a settlement being discovered in 1972 near to Brayford Pool. Perhaps the most well-known building in Lincoln is its Grade I-listed cathedral. The building was first consecrated in 1092, and following an earthquake in 1185, was rebuilt. While some sources doubt the claim, it's often considered to have been the tallest building in the world from 1311 to 1549, when one of its spires was damaged during a storm. Also of note is that the cathedral was used as one of two substitute locations for Westminster Abbey (the other being Winchester Cathedral) during the filming of the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code. Located half a mile or so from Lincoln station, it sits in the northern edge of the city, and it's also very near to Lincoln Castle. Lincoln Castle was constructed in the late 11th century by William the Conqueror, and has historically been used as a prison and a court. It's also home to one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta. For those who are interested in the more macabre side of history, it was also the location of a number of hangings in the 19th century. Parts of the castle are used as a museum these days, and it was also a filming location for Downton Abbey. The castle is regarded as a Scheduled Monument, and parts of it are Grade I or Grade II-listed. It's also host to concerts in the summer months, with artists for 2025 scheduled to include The Stranglers, Texas, and Rag 'n' Bone Man. Also of note is the Medieval Bishop's Palace. Built in the 12th century near to the cathedral, it was abandoned during the English Civil War, and is now run by English Heritage.
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If you want to delve into the history and culture of Lincoln, then Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is worth a visit. It houses a variety of exhibits, including looking back at the Stone Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods, the English Civil War, and more. The museum is closed for refurbishment, and is due to reopen in late 2025. Linked to the museum is the Usher Gallery, which exhibits paintings by renowned artists including L S Lowry and J M W Turner, vases designed by Grayson Perry, historic collections of clocks and watches, and many more.
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The gallery was bequeathed to the city by James Ward Usher, a jeweller from Lincoln, and was opened in 1927. For fans of the creative arts, two of the most well-known venues are the Engine Shed and Lincoln Arts Centre, both with links to the nearby University of Lincoln. The Engine Shed was opened in 2006 in - perhaps as the name suggests - an old locomotive shed, and has played host to a number of acts over the years, including Stereophonics, Feeder, the Fratellis, and more. It's also held stand-up comedy gigs from acts including Jason Manford and Russell Howard. Lincoln Arts Centre is next door to the Engine Shed, opening in 2008, and hosts a wide variety of events in its calendar. Perhaps one of the most well-known people to have links with Lincoln is the late actor John Hurt, who attended Lincoln School in the 1950s.
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When visiting a new place, other than finding somewhere to stay and things to do, pretty high up the list is likely to be finding somewhere to eat. There are plenty of options in Lincoln to suit a wide variety of budgets and cuisines, and we've included just a few of these down below.
The William Foster
Address: Guildhall Street, Lincoln LN1 1TT
Pub food is always popular, and Lincoln has a good number of options here. One such place is The William Foster on Guildhall Street, a short walk from the historic Grade I-listed Guildhall. Small plates are a common way to start a meal these days, and are a great option if you're dining out in a group - the choices here include chilli & cheese nuggets (with a cool garlic & herb dip), crispy coated prawns (with spicy mayo), and chicken goujons (crispy coated chicken strips served with a BBQ sauce). The main courses include dishes such as coconut Thai vegetable curry (served with rice), Cumberland sausage & mash (with peas & onion gravy), and a 10oz rump steak (served with beer-battered onion rings, chips, half a grilled tomato, and peas). For dessert, why not choose the sticky toffee sponge pudding (topped with a Lotus Biscoff biscuit crumb and served with vanilla flavour ice cream - can be made vegan on request), chocolate brownie (with vanilla flavour ice cream, Belgian chocolate sauce, and crumbled chocolate pieces), or the honeycomb cheesecake (smooth toffee cheesecake topped with chocolate coated honeycomb pieces, toffee sauce and dark chocolate, served with vanilla flavour ice cream and Belgian chocolate sauce)?
The Rising Café
Address: Alive Lincoln Central, Lincoln LN1 1XD
Located on Newland just to the north of Brayford Pool, you'll find the Rising Café. Associated with Alive Church, the Rising Café is run by the Christian Charity Betel, who work with people who have had drug & alcohol addictions to change their lifestyles into healthy & productive ones. Brunch is served all day, and includes options such as a breakfast muffin (with a sausage patty, American cheese, bacon, egg, homemade rosti, served with hash brown - vegan option available) or sweetcorn fritters (with a poached egg, avocado, crispy bacon, and scotch bonnet honey - vegetarian option available). If you fancy a burger, then you're covered here (all come with skin-on fries, and there's also the option to upgrade to sweet potato fries if you want), with the choices including the mac 'n' cheese burger (two smashed patties, mac 'n' cheese, caramelised onion, homemade burger sauce), the buttermilk chicken (chicken thigh, marinated in buttermilk and coated, with crispy bacon, lettuce, and chipotle mayo), and the meatless burger (plant-based burger patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, original burger sauce). If you'd prefer some smaller plates, then fear not, as the dishes here include crispy pork belly (with a cauliflower and miso purée, roast hazelnut crumb, and salsa macha), halloumi fries (with chilli jam and topped with toasted sesame seeds), and cauliflower wings (tempura battered and served with firecracker sauce, toasted sesame seeds, and spring onion). There are also some cakes and bakes available for purchase - just ask the staff what's available.
Laziza Indian Bar & Restaurant
Address: 10 The Landings, Lincoln LN1 2TU
Found outside Lincoln at Burton Waters is Laziza. It's one of the most well-rated restaurants in the Lincoln area on TripAdvisor, so don't let the fact it's not in Lincoln itself stop you from considering a visit. The appetisers all come with a mint yogurt dip, and include chilli paneer (pan-fried with onions, peppers, and green chillies), boti (succulent pieces of chicken tikka marinated and cooked in a clay oven), and tandoori salmon (tender pieces of salmon cooked in a clay oven paired with a rich creamy sauce). The signature curries here include nawaabi (a moist dish topped with cheese, tomato, onion, and paneer), lahori gosht (lamb curry in a yogurt sauce with garlic, onion, and ginger), and garlic chilli (rich & fiery dish, cooked with fresh garlic, chilli, onion, and tomato, garnished with fresh coriander) - most of the signature dishes can have a choice between chicken, lamb, and king prawn, with additional extras also being possible. If you'd prefer something a bit more classic, then you're in luck, with the choices here including the korma (slowly simmered in a rich creamy sauce with aromatic spices, coconut, and finished with cream), the rogan josh (cooked with tomato, peppers, onion, and spices, then garnished with garlic and coriander), and the madras (classic rich & hot sauce cooked with green chillies & traditional spices) - all classic curries come with a choice of additional filling, including vegetarian-friendly options. Classic side dishes are also available, including rice, naan, chapatti, and poppadums.
Slow Rise
Address: 8-12 St Martins Lane, Lincoln LN2 1HY
Found on St Martins Lane just a short walk from the southern end of Steep Hill, you'll find Slow Rise. Specialising in Neapolitan pizza, one thing that makes Slow Rise stand out is that the menu is entirely vegetarian, with many of the dishes either being vegan-friendly already or able to be made vegan on request - perfect if you follow a vegetarian/vegan diet or are trying to eat less meat. The available pizzas here include the margherita (Italian tomato base, Fior Di Latte mozzarella, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil), the garlic mushroom (garlic confit base, Fior Di Latte mozzarella, chestnut mushrooms, caramelised red onion, fresh rosemary), and the hot & spicy (chipotle tomato base, Snowdonia smoked cheddar, Fior Di Latte mozzarella, roasted peppers, red onion, chilli oil, candied chillies). There are a good number of side dishes here as well, including sun-dried tomato arancini (crispy coated sun-dried tomato risotto ball, warm vodka sauce, Italian hard cheese), garlic strips (garlic confit, Fior Di Latte mozzarella, fresh rosemary), and burrata salad (burrata, rocket, cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil). The focus on dessert at Slow Rise is tiramisu, with the variants including classic, mocha, Biscoff, and raspberry.
Olé Olé Tapas Bar & Restaurant
Address: Union Road, 3 Ingleman Place, The Lawns, Lincoln LN1 3BU
A great dining option if you're in a group, Olé Olé is found on Union Road just to the west of Lincoln Castle. Small plates to start off a meal are popular these days, and the idea has its origins in the Spanish tradition of tapas, so why not sample something from where the concept originated? There are a variety of sharing boards, and these include the Table de Jamón Ibérico y Queso Manchego (cured Ibérico ham and traditional Manchego cheese) and the Pan Tumaca (toasted bread topped with a chunky tomato, garlic, and olive oil salsa). The meat-based tapas options include Albondigas (meatballs in a rich tomato sauce), Chorizo al Vino (traditional Spanish sausage cooked in white wine), and Pollo a la Riojana (slow-cooked chicken stew with chorizo, rioja wine, onion, and garlic). If you're after sea-based dishes, you're in luck, with the choices including Calamares Fritos (homemade fried squid with ali-oli dip), Gambas al Ajillo (sizzling prawns in garlic and brandy with chilli flakes), and Lubina a la Espalda (oven baked seabass cooked with garlic oil and chilli, then topped with fried garlic flakes). There are vegetable-based dishes available, too, including Champiñones a la Crema con Ajo (mushrooms in a creamy sauce with garlic and cracked black pepper), Pimientos de Padrón (Padrón peppers fried in olive oil, topped with Maldon salt flakes), and Berenjenas con Almendras (fried aubergines topped with roasted almonds and honey). You're covered with dessert options here as well, with the choices including Helado con Miel y Almendras (vanilla ice cream with almonds and honey), Tarta de la Abuela (home made dessert with layers of biscuits steeped in brandy, coffee, chocolate, and crème pâtisserie), and Arroz con Leche (homemade rice pudding cooked with lemon zest and cinnamon traditionally served cold, topped with cinnamon and caramelised sugar).
Samba Brazil
Address: Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln LN1 1YW
If you're a meat eater, then why not pay a visit to Samba Brazil? Situated on Brayford Wharf and conveniently located just a short walk from the station, the main concept of Samba Brazil is based on rodizio - waiters will come around the restaurant with different types of meat, and you can just have bits sliced onto your plate. Starting your meal off can include marinated olives, Brazilian cheese bread, and a prawn rissole. The main courses come as two options - Corrido and Deluxe - with the Deluxe option including unlimited meats of a number of varieties. The Deluxe option includes rice, French fries, and salad. If you'd prefer to not go for the rodizio concept and have something different, worry not, as there are other options available. These include a mixed grill (pork loin, rump cap, streaky pork, wings, sausage, served with rice, French fries, and salad), pork ribs (with BBQ sauce, served with french Fries and coleslaw), and the Vegetariana pizza (cheese, courgette, aubergines, paprika, mushrooms, special sauce). There are a good number of dessert options to choose from, and these include pineapple pizza (a sweet variant - this is topped with cheese, pineapple, sugar, and cinnamon), pudim de leite (Brazilian-style flan with a soft creamy texture), and brigadeiro (chocolate creamy sponge coated in granulate chocolate).
The Jews House Restaurant
Address: 15 The Strait, Lincoln LN2 1JD
Situated in a 12th century building at the southern end of the famous Steep Hill, you'll find the Jews House Restaurant. The building is noted as being one of the most historic in the city of Lincoln, and the restaurant has a simple aim - giving an experience diners will remember for its "remarkable flavours and polished, attentive service" (taken directly from the restaurant's website. There are four-course and six-course tasting menus here, with the option for an additional wine flight to help heighten your experience. The available dishes on the tasting menus can include wild Argentinian prawns (with linguini, chermoula, mango, and kaffir lime), line-caught Cornish seabass (with spinach, Exmoor caviar, and a seaweed butter sauce), roast Lincolnshire venison saddle (with pear & liquorice purée and a gratin of Jerusalem artichokes), Stilton parfait (with tomato relish and a pickled walnut ice-cream), and warm gingerbread (with cassis berries and coconut sorbet). There is also an optional cheese course available on the four-course tasting menu should you wish to end the meal with some cheese. There's also a three-course set menu served on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and this can include a starter of 5-spiced Gressingham duck breast (with rillette of leg, chicory marmalade, and sloe gin), a main of roast Yorkshire grouse (with pear & liquorice purée and a gratin of Jerusalem artichokes), and a selection of three cheeses for dessert (with celery & apple, fig & date chutney, and cheese shortbread). The wine list is sizeable, with bottles chosen from many popular wine-making regions across the world.
The Bronze Pig
Address: 4-6 Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3LB
To the north-west of Lincoln Cathedral, you will find the Bronze Pig. The story behind the name is interesting, and you can find more information about it HERE. The Bronze Pig prides itself on selecting local meat & veg where possible, and fish from renewable sources & the British shores when feasible to do so. The five-course tasting menu has some interestingly-titled dishes, and these can include 'She Sells Sea Shells' (scallop, wagyu fat beurre noisette, celeriac, pickled forced rhubarb, chive), 'Ay Up Me Duck' (duck breast, black cherry, Jerusalem artichoke, beetroot, shisho, chicory, port jus), and 'Up the Apples and Pears' (pecan crumble, apple, pear, caramel, white chocolate, vanilla). There is also a vegetarian tasting menu, with the menu items including dishes such as 'Spud' (smoked potato, leek, wild garlic), 'Barking Up the Wrong Asparagus' (asparagus, morel, black garlic, pea, Jerusalem artichoke), and a vegetarian version of 'Up the Apples and Pears' (pecan crumble, apple, pear, caramel, crème anglaise). Each tasting menu has an optional wine pairing. Running concurrently with the tasting menus is the steak menu, and the choices here include ribeye steak, fillet steak, châteaubriand (recommended as a sharing cut), and surf & turf (8oz fillet, 1/2 lobster thermidor, charred lemon - this dish is required to be pre-ordered) - all steaks come with triple-cooked chips and steak salad. The desserts on the steak menu include a dark chocolate cremeux (with dulce de leche, hazelnut dentelle, vanilla ice cream, and blackberry), a sticky toffee pudding (with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream), and tiramisu (with Savoiardi, mascarpone, coffee, Kahlua, and cacao). There's also an optional cheese platter on the steak menu, which has three different cheeses, and is served with fig relish, quince jelly, pickled walnuts, and cheese biscuits. The cheese platter also includes an option flight of three paired wines or three paired whiskies.
The Old Bakery
Address: 26/28 Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3LB
Within close proximity to the cathedral is the Old Bakery. This restaurant is rather different compared to others, in that it's owned & operated by Lincoln College, with the proceeds being diverted back into the college to help with education and training across the region. The Old Bakery "is a finishing school for our advanced catering and front-of-house students, giving them the industry experience they need to launch their careers" (information taken directly from the restaurant's website). The tasting menu does change depending on the available ingredients, but the sample menu on the website should be a good indicator of what they can serve. The dishes can include a wild mushroom & truffle risotto, scallops (with miso cauliflower and peanuts), roasted cod (with braised oxtail), Lincolnshire venison (with celeriac & pickled blackberry), dark chocolate & cherry marques, and petit-fours with tea or coffee. There can also be a palate cleanser, an optional cheese course, and an optional digestif. If you do wish to have a wine flight, you can do so here for an additional supplement, and you can also stay overnight as well if you desire to do so.
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If you want to get some shopping done while in Lincoln, you have plenty of options. The high street has many of the popular brands, and you'll also find Waterside Shopping Centre on the high street on the northern bank of the River Witham. For something a bit more different and unique, why not take a look at the shops on The Strait and Lincoln's famous Steep Hill? There are a number of independent shops here, selling a wide variety of things, so it's worth considering visiting this area of the city to get something that helps remind you of your time in this city.
For those who wish to take in some of the city's green spaces, there are plenty of options here. There's the Lincoln Arboretum to the east of the city centre (designed in the 1870s by Edwin Milner, and has a number of Grade II-listed features), Temple Gardens to the north-east of the city centre (a short walk from the cathedral, and also within easy reach of the Medieval Bishop's Palace), the John Dawber Gardens in the northern area of the city centre (established in 1985 near to the Cathedral, the walled garden is run by the Dawber Garden Community Trust, with the aim being to restore the Gardens to their former glory), and more.
Perhaps one other thing of note is the nearby RAF Waddington, located to the south of the city. First opened in 1916 during the First World War, it's seen a lot of different squadrons and regiments use it over the years, including Avro Vulcans during the Falklands War in 1982 - three Vulcans stationed there took part in Operation Black Buck, a long-range bombing raid on Port Stanley Airport. Today, it is the main base of arguably one of the most well-known aircraft display teams in the world, if not the most well-known - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, more commonly known as the Red Arrows.
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Maximise your Lincoln experience by extending your stay in this city. Whether you're drawn to its location, its extensive history, or something else, Lincoln provides diverse accommodation options for every preference and budget. Uncover the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate for another day of exploration.
Looking to book your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break, and perhaps consider using some of the money you've saved on cheap train tickets purchased from us to go towards an overnight stay.
We very much hope that we've convinced you to book a trip to Lincoln. If we have, then fantastic! Our website is on hand to help you get cheap train tickets for your journey through the wonders of split ticketing, and our customer service team is on hand to assist you if you have any queries regarding your booking.
Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at TrainSplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. All these and more can help you get cheap train tickets for your journey to Lincoln. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive booking guide here at TrainSplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful, and we’ve covered some of the main points below.
If you know when you are planning to travel, booking early can save you money on your train tickets. With Advance fares becoming available up to 12 weeks ahead, this is a great way to save on your rail travel.
Teamed up with a railcard, you can get up to a third off the cost, saving you more money on your train tickets. If you make a lot of train journeys, a railcard will pay for itself in no time.
With TrainSplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, TrainSplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.
If you don't need to travel early in the morning, consider traveling off-peak to save money on more expensive train tickets. Trains are also likely to be quieter during off-peak hours, which usually start from around 09:30 onwards.
Take a look at GroupSave train tickets. These are a great way to get discounted train fares for groups of people traveling together.
If you're travelling from London, then an alternative route to Lincoln may potentially involve travelling from London St Pancras via Leicester or Nottingham. Using TrainSplit’s journey planner, you can search for routes to Inverness which use trains that can potentially save you money on your train tickets.
If your journey is delayed, you may be entitled to delay compensation on your train tickets.
By following these tips, along with using TrainSplit’s unique journey planner to find the best train ticket deals, now is the perfect time to explore new destinations.
Many ticket retailers impose booking fees for each journey booked, adding unnecessary expenses to your travel costs. With TrainSplit, we don't charge a booking fee. Instead, we only charge a share of savings, which is a small percentage of the savings you made if we found a split for your journey. Rest assured, it will still work out cheaper than purchasing a through fare. If no splits are found, no share of savings will be charged.
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You can find the cheapest train tickets to Lincoln by booking in advance and considering split ticket options. Websites like TrainSplit offer tools to help you find the best deals.
The most economical way to travel to Lincoln is by booking cheap Advance Tickets and exploring split ticketing options, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.
To secure the cheapest train tickets to Lincoln, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.
Yes - splitting your train tickets to Lincoln can often result in significant cost savings compared to purchasing a single through ticket. Services like TrainSplit can help you find the most advantageous split ticket combinations.
Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to Inverness and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get great-value cheap train tickets for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to Inverness and beyond.
When looking to secure cheap train tickets to Lincoln, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like TrainSplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses.
Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.
We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.