A Family Friendly Weekend in the Lincolnshire Wolds

Last month we had the pleasure of visiting the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds for a family friendly weekend getaway.  We have been living in York, UK for almost 4 years now, but we are still yet to explore much of England.  We are those people that tend to just book a flight rather than finding something on our doorstep.  But if 2020 has taught us anything, a family staycation can be a wonderful (and safe) option!

We had a brilliant weekend and it was just what we needed after spending a lot more time than usual at home this year.  So, I am excited to share everything about our trip with you and hopefully inspire much wanderlust to explore the Lincolnshire Wolds with your family!

Disclosure – I’m delighted to be working with East Lindsey District Council for this post.  Please note that our stay, meals and entrance to attractions were gifted.  All opinions are my own.

Getting There

The Lincolnshire Wolds is located in the North East of England.  It is an easy 2 hour drive from where we live in York.  We drove via Hull and across the Humber Bridge for the first time, which is an impressive piece of architecture in itself!

Lincolnshire Wolds Accommodation

We stayed at Brackenborough Hall Coach House, located just a few miles from the town of Louth.  I read some of the reviews before we left and they all spoke very highly of this property. So I was expecting great things … and I most certainly was not disappointed.

As you pass through the gates of this property, you are immediately greeted with its gorgeous grounds and the cows happily grazing.  Then, after a short drive the Coach House comes into view.  It was originally built in the 18th century as stables to Brackenborough Hall. Horses were kept in what are now known as the Stables and Saddle Room, with carriages being parked in the central area between the two. In the 19th century the granary was added on the first floor to store sacks of grain.  A clock tower was also built and the striking of the bell told farm workers that it was lunch time.

We were very kindly given a complimentary upgrade from The Stables to The Granary.  This accommodation spanned the entire top floor of the converted 18th century Coach House.  There are 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  Both bedrooms are equipped with a King / Queen bed and 2 single beds therefore, making this space the perfect place for families to stay together. The owners also mentioned that groups tend to book all 3 of the apartments and take over the entire Coach House which can sleep up to 16 in total.

The Granary boasts huge open plan living, with the inner workings of the old clock on full display behind a glass cabinet.  The kitchen is well equipped for all your cooking needs and there was complimentary tea, coffee and a fruit loaf.  There is an abundance of seating and dining available, adding to its suitability for group gatherings.

There were lots of things thoughtfully available to entertain Mackenzie, including a dress up box, toys and a wooden train set.  The beds was incredibly comfy, adorned with crisp white sheets and fluffy white towels on arrival.  And I must say, everything was exceptionally clean!

The property has been cleverly renovated to maintain its rustic charm but include all the modern essentials such as a dishwasher, central heating and a spa bath.  This historic building is quintessentially English and absolutely gorgeous.

I could honestly write an entire blog post about everything this property has to offer.  All of your needs are taken care of and the hosts, Paul and Flora, are incredibly welcoming.  If you are looking for a relaxing, family getaway then this is the place for you!

Day 1 | Arriving in Lincolnshire Wolds

We arrived at our accommodation late into the afternoon and let ourselves into the property.  Paul greeted us shortly after (socially distanced of course) and ensured that we had everything we needed.

After settling in it was time to head off for our dinner reservation at the Royal Oak Inn – The Splash.  Just 15 minutes by car, its a traditional old country pub, affectionately referred to as ‘the splash‘ due to the fact you cross a shallow ford on the approach.

The establishment dates from the 17th century and commemorates the occasion in 1651 when King Charles II hid for a day and a night in an oak tree to escape his enemies after the Battle of Worcester.

The Royal Oak Inn sports a wonderful cosy and traditional country pub vibe – think traditional awnings with low beamed ceilings, serving all your favorite tasty British meals.

As it was the weekend before Halloween, the restaurant was decorated with lots of spooky Halloween paraphernalia.

We shared a seafood tasting platter to start and then my husband and I both opted for the Beef Wellington.  It sounded too good to resist and I knew I would get food envy if I ordered something different.  Just quietly – it did not disappoint.  The servings were so generous that neither of us managed to finish our meals, so there was unfortunately no room for dessert.

They had a standard pub kids menu available for Mackenzie who enjoyed sausages and chips.

Following our evening meal, we returned back to the Coach House and made good use of the modern spa bath.  Mackenzie thought it was a real treat with all the bubbles.  All before a quiet glass of champagne and retiring for the evening.

Day 2 | Exploring the Lincolnshire Wolds

We started the day with coffee and breakfast at our accommodation and then hit the road for some exploring.  The first stop would be Skegness Pier.  Along the way we enjoyed the rolling green hills of the countryside and the beautiful autumnal colours of the changing leaves.

Unfortunately the little lady had a car sickness incident, so a stop on the side of the road and full change of clothes was in order.  The Princess Elsa costume I was hiding in the boot for Halloween managed to turn the situation round very quickly though, ha!

As the weather was not great we decided not to get out of the car at Skegness, but just drive along the beach front and take in all the sites.  It felt like a small piece of Times Squares had been brought to the English Coast with lights, sounds and things to look at in every direction.

The Skegness Pier itself was built in 1881 and boasts entertainment for all the family.  It has everything from a bowling center, an escape room and a casino.   I imagine it would be a lot of fun to spend your days here in the summer.

From Skegness we continued north to Chapel Point and the North Sea Observatory.  Whilst we had intended to stop for coffee and cake, Mackenzie had fallen fast asleep by this time.  So I ventured out to take some photos of the beautiful yet moody coastline.  Then I popped into the café for take away coffees.

The café boasts floor to ceiling windows making it incredibly picturesque with sweeping views of the beach and ocean.  Personally I could have spent hours there watching the world go by!  Oh, and important to note, the coffee was delicious.  The cakes also looked fantastic but I managed to refrain from indulging in a slice.

We continued up the coast, taking pleasure in the coastal drive.  We are stereotypical Australians and have missed being near the beach this year.  There is just something medicinal about that sea air.

We arrived in Mablethorpe just in time for lunch and decided to stop at Saltys – an eatery serving traditional and freshly caught Lincolnshire fish and chips.  Rather than dining in, we opted for take away and drove to the beach to enjoy our feast.  Just like dinner the night before, the serving was HUGE.  But they were some quality fish and chips that were devoured by all three of us.

We conveniently parked up right near a kiosk, so we were also able to treat Mackenzie to an ice-cream after lunch.  Because its not a proper holiday without an ice-cream by the seaside!

From Mablethorpe we drove the scenic route back to Brackenborough Hall to relax for the remainder of the afternoon.  We took the opportunity to have a look around the farm – saying hello to the cows and enjoying the rope swing.  There is heaps of wide open space for the kids to play and outdoor toys to entertain them.  Mackenzie also loved meeting the resident dog, Poppy.

That evening we made the most of our accommodation – chilling out with some wine and home cooked pizzas.  It was the perfect place to unwind and appreciate that holiday feeling.

Day 3 | Wolds Wildlife Park & Home Time

And just like that, it was sadly time to pack our bags and head home.  Although not without stopping at Wolds Wildlife Park first.  The park is located a 20 minute drive from the accommodation and the eager beavers that we are, we were the first people in line when the Wildlife Park opened.

It was a beautiful and sunny autumn day and perfect for a walk around this zoo.  The zoo recently opened its doors in December 2019 and is still in development.  The collection began as a private collection when the owners, Andrew, gifted Tracy a young female zebra.  The animals now homed here range from brown bears and wallabies to llamas and donkeys.

Its a gorgeous, clean and well constructed animal park to visit – ideal for young children and families.  The modern enclosures which have been created from recycled materials create safe and rich exhibits for the animals and visitors alike.  And I randomly really appreciated the wide, even paths to walk around the park, meaning I didn’t have to trudge through the mud.

There is a food stand on site to grab a snack and a gift store so you can take home a little memento of the Lincolnshire Wolds.  And from there, it was homeward bound for us!

Additional Things To Do In Lincolnshire Wolds

As we were leaving, my husband and I both commented how nice it would have been to stay for a couple of extra nights – there are so many things to do in Lincolnshire.  We would have loved to explore some of the other sights and check out the food scene as apparently Louth is somewhat of a food mecca. Whilst we love travelling with kids, it can definitely make things a little more difficult if they are unwell or in a bad mood.  So the days of exploring from dawn until dusk are behind us (for now!)

Needless to stay, we will just have to plan another trip.  However, if you are looking for some additional things to do during your stay in the Lincolnshire Wolds, here are some suggestions.

The Kinema In The Woods

This unique, old fashioned cinema is believed to be the only full-time cinema in the UK still using rear projection.  It started life as a sports and entertainment pavilion and has been converted to screen movies in a really special setting.  Perfect for a rainy day.

Seals at Donna Nook National Nature Reserve

Every year in November and December, the grey seals give birth to their pups near the sand dunes at Donna Nook National Reserve.  Its said to be a wildlife spectacle like no other to witness.  There is a viewing area at the foot of the sand dunes for visitors to ensure safe distance from the seals.

Walks & Cycling

With so much natural beauty waiting to be explored, the Lincolnshire Wolds is the perfect destination to enjoy the great outdoors and an epic family holiday.  Whether you prefer a casual stroll or a big trek, the Lincolnshire Wolds has walking and cycling routes to suit every skill level.

Explore Horncastle

A thriving market town just a 10 minute drive from Wolds Wildlife Park.  Enjoy their excellent selection of restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, antique shops and galleries.  This historic town is a must to explore on your trip to the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Wrapping It Up …

So there you have it – our wonderful family friendly weekend in the Lincolnshire Wolds.  We thoroughly enjoyed our UK staycation with a toddler in tow and look forward to returning someday soon.  I hope that you have enjoyed reading about our family staycation and that I have given you some inspiration for your own itinerary and holiday.  Safe travels – Shell x

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