I GREW up in Lincolnshire, an often forgotten about part of the country, despite being the second-largest county in England.
While other parts of the UK may get all the attention, it’s lack of crowds to fight to see stunning scenery is exactly what is making it one of the most up-and-coming destinations to visit right now.
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Earlier this year, Lincolnshire was named a ‘trending UK hotspot’ by holiday company Expedia, being listed alongside the likes of Brighton, Swansea and Durham.
However, having grown up in Grantham – on its southwest corner – I had long appreciated its picturesque landscape, amazing history and culinary delights. Here are just a few…
The world’s tallest building (once upon a time)
From its construction in 1311 to 1548, the world’s tallest building was none other than Lincoln Cathedral – which had overtaken the Great Pyramid after 4,000 years.
While it was eventually knocked off the top spot, the imposing Gothic structure – that sits atop a hill overlooking the rest of the quaint city – is still as impressive today.
However, if you plan to walk up to it by foot, then be prepared to break a sweat on Steep Hill – a cobbled Norman road that’s the fourth steepest street in England.
There’s also a third-century Roman arch – the oldest in Britain that’s still used by traffic – and if you head to nearby Lincoln Castle you’ll find a copy of the original Magna Carta.
Scenery with a Tuscan feel
The Lincolnshire Wolds is an area of the county spanning 216 square miles, with low rolling hills that go largely unspoilt.
Onlookers commonly say that, with its valleys and neat fields, it reminds them of the Tuscan countryside.
Unlike its Italian counterpart, you’ll probably find yourself hardly crossing paths with another soul on a long walk, such as Hubbard’s Hills near Louth or Viking Way near Lincoln.
However, just like its Italian counterpart, this is an area with plenty of quaint villages to stop off in – including Tealby near Market Rasen which has the oldest thatched pub in the county, The King’s Head, built in 1367.
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A popular film set
While all the Instagram attention might go to places like the Cotswolds and Cornwall, you can find one of the UK’s most picturesque towns in south Lincolnshire.
Stamford is formed of several well-preserved Georgian streets, which has made it a popular location for shooting famous TV series and films set in bygone eras.
This includes The Crown and Middlemarch as well as Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and The Da Vinci Code.
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Just outside the town is a 16th-century stately home called Burghley Castle – also enlisted for the odd Hollywood production – which is one the grandest of the Elizabethan age.
It is believed that the first tomatoes grown in Britain came from the country house’s conservatories.
Best of British food
Talking of food, the county produces an eighth of the UK’s supply – particularly barley, wheat, oilseed rape and sugar beet.
However, perhaps its biggest export is the famous Lincolnshire sausage, whose recipe dates back to the 19th century, with the key ingredient believed to be sage .
Less well known is that the county processes 70% of the country’s fish supply in Grimsby, with the port responsible for one in two fish finger consumed.
There’s also Grantham Gingerbread – a sweet treat from my home town – and a hard, mature cheese called Lincolnshire Poacher.
Largest fish and chip shop
Head to the largely unobstructed Lincolnshire coastline for a quintessential British seaside experience.
In the town of Cleethorpes, on the Humber estuary, you will find what is officially the world’s largest fish and chip shop called Papa’s.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Then, on either side of the Victorian pier – which has withstood war and fires during its last 150 years – is Cleethorpes Beach.
But before you think that it might not be warm enough to dip a toe in the sea, consider that the hottest ever temperature on record in the UK – of 40.3C – was recorded in Lincolnshire’s Coningsby in 2022…
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