Friday, 13 August 2010

Escape the Rain: 5 Indoor Day Trips in Lincolnshire

Summer weather in the UK is notoriously iffy - none more so than today, where it has started out reasonably sunny...but is now drizzly and grey.

Planning a day out all the same? We've put our heads together this morning to come up with 5 ideas for enjoying Lincolnshire this summer away from the elements.

Waters’ Edge Country Park and Visitor Centre, Barton upon Humber
North Lincolnshire’s ‘greenest’ attraction. This eco friendly building has interactive displays about caring for the environment and the wildlife of the Humber estuary. There's also a Bank Holiday craft fair on 29th-31st August which will be worth a look. watersedgecountrypark.org

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors Centre
Get up close to one of only 2 flying Lancaster Bombers in the world - pretty amazing if you love flying, planes or a bit of English wartime history! Along with a vast selection of other aircraft you'll hear real life stories of wartime heroes on your guided tour of the hanger. http://bit.ly/battleofbritainmf
Batemans Brewery Visitor Centre
Batemans Brewery is one of the country's oldest family breweries brewing some of the finest beers in the UK. After your tour of the Brewery Visitors Centre you can pay a visit to the circular Windmill Bar for bite to eat and a sample or two of beer. http://bit.ly/batemans

Butlins, Skegness
Where better to spend your time at the seaside than the original Butlins Resort? Take the kids and have a water adventure in their sub-tropical Splash Waterworld. Little ones will also love the Looney Tunes' characters and Bob the Builder entertaining with stage and screen shows. butlins.com/resorts/skegness/

Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby
Interactive Fishing Experience – Sign in as a crew member and take part in Grimsby’s maritime story. Search for your catch in the Skippers Wheelhouse, haul the nets to the deck and feel the freezing winds and lashing rain as you journey back to ‘dry-land’. You can even book your tickets online in advance through Visit Lincolnshire. http://bit.ly/fishingheritagecentre

Monday, 2 August 2010

Dresses at Doddington

Doddington Hall, a beautiful Elizabethan house in the picturesque village of Doddington near Lincoln is itself a lovely place to visit. Gorgeous, rambling gardens...room upon room of charm and character inside it's turreted house...a really great Cafe...not to mention the farm shop: baskets of homegrown veggies, shiny counters serving delicious cheeses, meats and breads...stacks of jars filled with every chutney, relish and conserve...ooh my, I could go on quite happily, but must make mention of it's latest (and rather wonderful) event worth a visit.

"Old, New, Mostly Borrowed & One Blue" exhibits a collection of unusual and historic wedding dresses. Amongst some of the 60 frocks on display and objects of marital signficance are items worn by royalty, high society and locals. This is a feast of textile and fashion regalia amongst an amusing and quirky take (I do believe there is a dress on show for a canine bride...) on this timelessly fascinating garment of marraige.

The exhibition is open every Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, 1pm - 5pm until 8th September.

For more details visit the Doddington Hall website or read the exhibition curator's Blog