Lincolnshire's Beaches - Tell us Your Favourites

We're just putting together some copy for our new website about Lincolnshire's beaches and really want to know what people think of them....

What's your favourite beach? Why do you love it so much? Is is great for families/beachcombing/rockpooling/dog walking?

We'll put all the best answers together to form our favourite beach spots and share them across the web.

Answers on a postcard please! CL

The Old Mill House gets a Big Thumbs Up

We get a lot of emails and letters from visitors here at Lincolnshire Tourism, but felt this little gem just had to be dug out the postbag to share! It's from a couple who stayed at the 4* Old Mill House in Maltby-le-Marsh near Alford:

Dear Lincolnshire Tourism,

We have just come back from a short break touring various lovely parts of England, ( Lake District, Northumbria, Pennines, Lincoln, Suffolk, Brightlingsea), but just had to get in touch to let you know about a truly outstanding B&B in your area.

I have honestly never been in such a beautifully kept place- every detail was thought out and no comfort left out. It was exceptional- down to the herb tea in the tea and coffee selection and the disposable razor and shower hat. Wendy and Pete Breeds give a warm welcome in a beautiful and historic setting and the disabled friendly walk-in shower was a great treat after others in various places which lacked the luxury factor!

The access was great for me with my limited mobility and handles all well sited with a moveable ramp to overcome the small entry step.

To cap it all, my husband was so relaxed, he left two shirts behind, which duly arrived in the post yesterday. The Old Mill House gets our vote for best UK Bed and Breakfast

Jacky Mortimer and Mark Heron

Fantastic to hear that Jacky and Mark were so impressed by their accommodation choice they had to write and tell us the good news! We'd like to applaud The Old Mill House's owners Wendy and Pete Breeds on this really encouraging piece of feedback.

www.oldmillmaltby.co.uk

A Lovely Message from the Mailbox

Isn't it lovely when someone sends you a nice email?

This morning we received this very kind message from a couple who had enjoyed walking in Lincolnshire:

Sent: 10 August 2009 16:57
To: Customer_Services
Subject: Thank you

We recently sent for some of your walking information packs which duly arrived and which proved very useful on our recent trip to Lincolnshire. I am writing to thank you for this very efficient and impressive service and to say how well signposted the footpaths were.
We were very impressed with the quiet rural charm of the area and very pleased to see so many butterflies and other insects which would seem to indicate that the countryside is being cared for. A number of the roadside verges had signs indicating that they were conservation areas.
Please feel free to pass on our comments as appropriate. Thank you again Colin and Rosemary Cheshire

Hats off to everyone who was involved in putting the walking discovery packs together - and of course to the countryside services who made their visit so enjoyable.

And of course, thanks very much to Colin & Rosemary for sharing your happy experiences with us. CL

Lincolnshire: Going a Richer Shade of Green

Green, hey. What a bandied-about phrase that seems to be these days.

On the face of it, "green" might seem like yet another trendy bandwagon of the 21st century: half the population are on board, waving their compost heaps and solar powered panels for all to see; then there's all those funky Bags for Life floating about and eco toilet cleaners made from lemons and coriander leaves...

If we dig a little deeper into our organic vegetable patch however, it's apparent that something quite substantial is growing. No longer regarded as a hippy way of life - or indeed something to make yourself feel 'at one' with the earth - green is very much the shape of the future. Every serious organisation worth their salt is assessing their green credentials, working out their eco-friendly objectives and tightening up their carbon footprints.

So it was encouraging to hear today that one of Lincolnshire's top hotels has been awarded a Silver accolade from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort of the QHotels group sits on the outskirts of Brigg in the north of the county, just a few minutes from the M180. Less the motorway stopover, more a secluded haven; the resort sits amongst ancient trees, peaceful wild heathland and an impressive championship golf course.

Putting myself in the shoes of a Forest Pines Hotel guest, I wondered what I might expect to find at this newly stamped 'green' resort. Bamboo sheets? A mossy roof? Or how about rainwater in the pool? Er, no. Rest assured the comforts of 4* luxury remain. Polished floors, contemporary styling and swish facilities abound. The real green graft is much more of a behind the scenes effort it seems.

Firstly, a 'Green Team' was established around 18 months ago, made up of internal staff with plenty of eco-enthusiasm...they meet, share ideas and help implement green practices within the hotel. Since the green gang have been working their magic, the resort has seen positive decreases in energy usage and significantly reduced their waste to landfill impact. Look out for their posters too, encouraging you to not waste water, switch off lights etc. There's also Conference with a Conscience, a programme whereby company delegates offset their mileage to the hotel, who in turn plant a tree in the grounds on their behalf. Neat.

So after a great round of golf, retire to your room and sink into a heavenly bubbly bath... (large glass of Shiraz in hand of course) then breathe easy - your luxury break is green and guilt-free, too. CL

Lincolnshire places to stay & visit with a Green Tourism Award:

• Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort, Brigg - 4* Hotel
  
• Poachers Hideaway, Belchford - 5* self catering
• Kenwick Park, Louth - 3* Hotel
  
• Doddington Hall, nr Lincoln - House, farm shop & gardens
  

Protect our Lincolnshire Sausages!

Well now, here's something quirky to tell your friends: as a treasured delicacy of our fine and fertile land, the Lincolnshire Sausage has gone all political on us...

A Number 10 petition to protect the infamous banger is attracting many signatories, all in favour of ensuring the Lincolnshire Sausage is given 'Protected Geographical Indication status' - in other words, the sausage cannot be sold using the Lincolnshire name unless it was produced in the county using the traditional recipe.

If you've never tried a Lincolnshire Sausage, do - it's a delicious herby experience (particularly enjoyable when squashed between two thick slices of bread, it has to be said). When visiting the county, you're more than likely to be offered a couple with your eggs and bacon - and if they aren't on the menu GASP loudly and refuse the pale pink joke sausage they've offered instead.

The question remains then, if this petition is successful what difference will it make to Lincolnshire? Here's a few thoughts...

No. 1 - producers. Our wonderful and tireless farming community deserve a big pat on the back. Lincolnshire Sausages are the lifeblood of many a meat producer and hopefully PGI status might throw some more national and international business their way, plus give them extra credibility as a specialist supplier.

No. 2 - shops. At the front end of the Lincolshire Sausage chain are the shops who sell to the public. Petition granted, these shops can be reassured that Mr Visitor & Family will not mosey off to Asda and pick up some L.S imitations because the butchers was closed. Unless Asda add the sausages to their 'local' selection of produce. In which case they will have to source them from Mr Farmer, see above - oooh win win win.

No. 3 - our reputation. Lincolnshire remains largely a misunderstood and mysterious land. Our hidden secrets are yet to be recognised by the wider world! If Lincolnshire were catapulted onto the front pages of The Sausage Mail and Bangers n' Mash Weekly a flood of visitors would descend upon our doors, come and eat some sausages (at the very least) and trot back home and tell their friends how jolly lovely it was. No really... it's amazing what a bit of foodie PR can do for a place, and we'd be certain to see a positive result for the county.

So...not only can we boldly claim fame to our favourite mash accompaniment without fear of poor or misguided imitation but also, hopefully, encourage people to visit the county off the back of our VI-PGI saucisson. CL

• http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/LincsSausages/
• www.lincolnshiresausages.co.uk

Rainy days on a shoestring

Picture this: it's summer...you're trapped inside the house by a thunderous torrential downpour which is a) soaking the washing you've just hung out b) causing Rover to bark repeatedly and skitter around the kitchen table in a frenzy c) making you curse yourself for not fixing the hole in the conservatory roof. To top it off, the school holidays have arrived. Which of course means your little darlings are wreaking havoc in every room with their half-eaten packets of crisps and sticky fingers whilst leaving a trailing cornucopia of Iggle-Piggle's, lost socks and Doctor Who action toys.

Simply turfing them out in the garden during such weather could possibly beckon social services to the door. Taking them all out for the day in the traditional sense does seem like a sure-fire way of wringing your bank account dry. Not really where you want to be with six weeks of entertaining to do. However fear not - there are ways to satisfy the relentless energies of your brood whilst keeping the pennies in check.

The Collection, a free-to-enter museum in Lincoln is an ideal place to take children for an hour or two. Walk through the intriguing timeline display of objects, many of which are finds from the Roman city of Lindum, now Lincoln as we know it. Highlights include a seven metre long log-boat and a Roman mosaic. There's also a fascinating selection of informative displays including coins, weapons, pottery and clothing. If you're still hungry for culture, the Usher Gallery next door houses Lincolnshire's premier art collection with pieces by Turner and DeWint.

Another fabulous free attraction with a strong focus on children's activities is The Hub at Sleaford. As the UK's largest centre for craft and design, this place is a multi-storey bevvy of ever-changing exhibitions, studios and events. For a few pounds per head, families can also book themselves into one of the activity workshops - check the website for specific dates and times. There's also an on-site shop, where you can pick up souvenirs and unusual arty gifts to take home. Also, if you need refuelling with snacks and drinks after absorbing all that art and craft, there's a cafe on the ground floor overlooking the River Slea.

If nature and the environment are a more popular choice the Whisby Natural World Centre on the outskirts of Lincoln might be just the ticket. If the day really is a washout, there's eco exhibitions and displays, plus a shop and cafe to keep everyone amused. However if you can brave the drizzle, a walk around the 375 acres of lakes woodland and ponds should present some life of the wild sort to entertain your offspring.

Escape the wet-weather at the North Lincolnshire Museum in Scunthorpe, where the kids can enjoy an interactive exhibition and step back in time to relive the People's War. Over in Mablethorpe on the coast Sharky's Family Entertainment Centre provides an indoor go kart track, inflatable slide and amusements for everyone to go wild on - there's a coffee shop for you to relax in too. CL

A trip to Belton House, near Grantham

Two weekends ago a friend came to stay from London. After a discussion over Sunday breakfast - Lincolnshire sausage sandwiches, naturally - we decided to hop on the A1 south to Grantham and take a look around Belton House, a 17th century manor which is now a National Trust property.

Our journey from Lincoln was uncomplicated; the house is well signposted from the A1, which leads to some pleasant undulating lanes before you enter Belton - a pretty little village of honey-coloured houses. Once you're through the gates and parked up there's plenty to see and do. The main house doesn't open its doors until 12.30, so we took a basement tour to get us started.

This eerie underbelly of the home is currently open on a trial basis by the trust, and is one of the most intriguing areas we saw. Amongst the wine cellar, nightwatchman's quarters and house chapel, each room tells a quirky story about the bygone era of the house. In stark comparison to the servant's quarters, the butler's room appears very comfortable, almost modern; plus, the old dumbwaiter is still in situ below all the house bells. We learnt that due to a kitchen relocation away from this area, a servant boy would have to push the hefty silver food trays quite a distance to reach the butler and his magic lift. This was achieved by wheeling each tray along on a metal track along an inclining curvy passage. And you do of course get to witness this quirky 'food track' - as well as the relocated kitchens - on your way back out of the basement. The range is something for even present day cooks to covet, and the wash-house a chilling reminder of a servant's plight.

We ambled back to the garden entrance and had a sunny stroll through the pretty grounds. With its follies, benches and bulbous box hedges, it is easy to fall into a fairytale daydream of having such an estate of your own. A trip to the Orangery is a little walk from the main house; it's packed to the gunnels with lofty flower and fauna that rises like a rainforest canopy. After a quick check on the time we realised the main house was now open and made our way around to the front entrance - watch out for the confusing signs to the house, we ended up looping a few times.

Inside the huge imposing doors up deep stone steps we scuttled through past the families stalling to rearrange buggies and offspring in the lobby. I say lobby, of course you can expect something rather more stately with the obligatory classical art and statues that would in any regular home seem eccentric. The tour takes you from one side of the house to the other, up and then down the two floors of sumptuous rooms and galleries - from the green dining hall adorned with paintings of grouse and game, to the bright silks of the Pink room. A firm favourite amongst our party was the Chinese Room, flanked with the most beautiful handpainted 18th century wallpaper. The silver collection is also incredible and spearheaded by a gluttonous wine cistern which hangs, rather humourously we thought, underneath a random painting of a bull.

Whether you bring a picnic or not, there's a shop and cafe, or like we did you can drive to a nearby village to grab some sustinence. We visited the Houblon Inn at Oasby - a gorgeous little pub with a rustic interior and a reassuring small menu of fresh, seasonal food. CL

• More information on Belton House
• The Houblon Inn, Oasby - houblon-inn.co.uk