List of museums in Lincolnshire facts for kids
Welcome to a super cool guide to museums in Lincolnshire, England! Museums are special places where amazing objects from the past, art, science, and history are kept safe. They help us learn about different times and cultures. This list will show you some of the most exciting museums in Lincolnshire, perfect for exploring with your family or friends!
Contents
Awesome Art and Creative Spaces
If you love art, Lincolnshire has some great spots to see incredible creations!
20-21 Visual Arts Centre
In Scunthorpe, the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre is a modern place to see all sorts of visual art. It's a great spot to discover new artists and different styles.
Cleethorpes Discovery Centre
Head to Cleethorpes for another art exhibition gallery. It's a fun place to see local and visiting artists' work.
The National Centre for Craft & Design
Located in Sleaford, this centre is all about contemporary craft and design. You can see unique handmade items and learn about how they are made.
The Ropewalk
In Barton-upon-Humber, The Ropewalk is an arts centre with four galleries. It also has a museum about its past as a rope factory and even a theatre!
Journey Through History: Historic Houses and Castles
Step back in time and explore grand homes and ancient castles!
Alford Manor House
Visit Alford to see a beautiful 17th-century thatched manor house. It has lovely gardens and even a small art gallery.
Ayscoughfee Hall Museum
In Spalding, this 15th-century medieval Tudor merchant's house is like a time capsule. It also features an art gallery and pretty gardens.
Belton House
Near Grantham, Belton House is a stunning 17th-century country house. It's managed by the National Trust and is filled with fancy decorations, silverware, paintings, and beautiful gardens.
Doddington Hall & Gardens
This late-17th-century house near Lincoln has amazing Georgian rooms. You can see collections of furniture, paintings, and old household items, plus explore its lovely gardens.
Gainsborough Old Hall
In Gainsborough, this medieval manor house is operated by English Heritage. It's a fantastic example of a timber-framed and brick building from long ago.
Grimsthorpe Castle
Near Bourne, Grimsthorpe Castle is a huge country estate. It's packed with paintings, furniture, and tapestries, and has parklands designed by the famous Capability Brown.
Lincoln Castle
A must-see in Lincoln, this medieval castle has a courtroom and a prison. You can also learn about the famous Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest here.
Lincoln Medieval Bishop's Palace
Also in Lincoln, these are the remains of a medieval palace. English Heritage runs a visitor centre and offers an audio tour to help you imagine life there centuries ago.
Mrs Smith's Cottage
In Navenby, this early Victorian brick cottage shows what life was like with few modern comforts. It's a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Tattershall Castle
Near Tattershall, this 15th-century medieval castle is looked after by the National Trust. It's a towering fortress with lots of history to explore.
Woolsthorpe Manor
This 17th-century farmhouse near Grantham is the birthplace of the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton. You can even try some hands-on science activities here!
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation and Aviation Museums
If you love vehicles and flying machines, these museums are for you!
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre
At Coningsby, you can take tours to see historic World War II aircraft up close. These planes are still used in flight shows today!
Bubble Car Museum
Near Cranwell, this museum has a cool collection of tiny bubble cars and microcars from the past. It also has 1950s items and old Bakelite objects.
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre
Also in Cranwell, this centre tells the story of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. It's a great place to learn about RAF history.
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
In East Kirkby, this museum focuses on the history of the RAF Bomber Command during World War II. You can see some incredible aircraft here.
Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum
Located in North Hykeham, this museum is full of vintage cars, buses, and commercial vehicles. It shows the history of road transport and even has a 1950s/60s village garage workshop.
Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
Near Ludborough, this is a heritage railway and museum. You can experience what train travel was like in the past.
Museum of RAF Firefighting
At RAF Scampton, this museum has over 40 military and civilian fire engines and pumps, some dating back to wartime!
The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft
In Sandtoft, you can see preserved trolleybuses and experience a recreated 1950s/1960s street scene and home.
Local Life and Everyday History
Discover what life was like for people in Lincolnshire through the ages.
Boston Guildhall
In Boston, this medieval guildhall tells the story of the building, its courtroom, and the town. It also hosts art exhibits.
Grantham Museum
In Grantham, this museum covers local history and culture. You can learn about famous people like Sir Isaac Newton and Margaret Thatcher, and the World War II "Dambusters" raid.
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre
In Grimsby, this centre explores the area's fishing industry in the 1950s. It's a fascinating look at a tough but important job.
Lincoln Museum
In Lincoln, this museum combines archaeology, fine arts, and contemporary visual arts in the Usher Gallery. It's a great place to see a wide range of historical and artistic items.
Museum of Lincolnshire Life
Also in Lincoln, this museum dives into local and social history. It has Victorian rooms, old shop displays, and exhibits about the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and farming equipment.
North Lincolnshire Museum
In Scunthorpe, this museum covers the local history and culture of North Lincolnshire.
The Village Church Farm
In Skegness, this open-air museum shows local history and agriculture. It has traditional buildings, including an 18th-century farmhouse and a 19th-century stable.
Windmills and Water Power: Technology and Industry
Explore how people used machines and natural power to get things done.
Cogglesford Mill
Near Sleaford, this late-18th-century watermill is still working! You can see how grain was milled long ago.
Dogdyke Steam Drainage Station
Near Tattershall, this museum has a restored steam drainage engine. It shows how steam power was used to manage water levels.
Heckington Windmill
In Heckington, this is a unique 8-sailed tower windmill. It's a fantastic example of old milling technology.
Maud Foster Windmill
In Boston, this seven-story, five-sail working windmill is an impressive sight.
Moulton Windmill
In Moulton, this early-19th-century tower windmill is another great example of Lincolnshire's milling heritage.
Pinchbeck Engine
In Pinchbeck, you can see steam-powered drainage engines. These machines were vital for keeping the land dry.
Sibsey Trader Mill
In Sibsey, this late-19th-century six-story windmill is owned by English Heritage.
Waltham Windmill
In Waltham, this late-19th-century six-sailed windmill is a local landmark.
Wrawby Windmill
In Wrawby, this mid-18th-century four-sailed windmill is a charming piece of history.
Other Cool Museums to Explore
Chain Bridge Forge
In Spalding, this is a living museum where you can watch blacksmithing demonstrations. It also covers local history and even new tech like 3D printing!
Gordon Boswell Romany Museum
Also in Spalding, this museum has a collection of beautiful Romani wagons.
Natural World Centre
At Thorpe on the Hill, this is a nature discovery centre for Whisby Nature Park. It's a great place to learn about local wildlife.
Museum of Technology
Located in Throckenholt, this museum explores the evolution of electrical, electronic, and warfare technology from 1850 to 1980.
Defunct museums
Sometimes museums close down. Here are a few that used to be open in Lincolnshire:
- Mawthorpe Museum, Mawthorpe
- Bomber County Aviation Museum, Hemswell Cliff
- Stamford Museum, Stamford, which closed in 2011.
See also
- Category:Tourist attractions in Lincolnshire
