HIGHLIGHTS IN 2023 Fed up of

Lincolnshire’s 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

As winter turns into spring, we this month highlight some features of the county we’ll all be enjoying, and we’ll look at some of the live events at the area’s arts centres and theatres to enjoy over the next few months...

n Exploring Uphill Lincoln...

LIVINGIN LINCOLNSHIRE it’s all too easy to overlook the Cathedral and Castle, such is their omnipresence. But when was the last time you spent the day in Uphill Lincoln, enjoying the magnificent Cathedral, walking around the Castle’s walls or admiring the Magna Carta? All of these delights and many more await visitors to the city this spring.

Starting off at the Cathedral, 200,000 visitors a year walk through the nave and admire the 950 year old building. It’s Grade I listed, 147 metres long, 24 metres wide, 83 metres tall and with a floor space of 5,000m2 it remains the fourth largest Cathedral in the Britain after Liverpool, London’s St Pauls and York Minster.

Don’t just wander through in awe though; even if you’ve visited the Cathedral before and recognise the obvious highlights – the Dean’s Eye window, Remigius’ Tomb –there’s still lots you won’t have seen or heard about before, so a guided tour with one of the Cathedral’s lovely volunteers will help unlock its many secrets. Likewise, Medieval Graffiti Tours and a Guided Roof Tour is a special way to see the Cathedral from a unique perspective. Think you already know the building? Think again! The same can be said about Lincoln Castle which opened its Medieval Wall Walk in April 2015 as part of Lincoln Cathedral Connected which aimed to create closer ties between the Cathedral and Castle. The project also saw the creation of the David Ross Magna Carta vault, which remains the only place in the world to see original copies of both the Magna Carta document and its successor, the Charter of the Forests. A rather more recent addition to the Castle is Lucy, a dragon bursting through the castle walls to welcome visitors. The installation had been due to depart the castle in October but received an invitation to stick around until the New Year.

Don’t forget to endure the climb up to the Castle’s highest point, the Observation Tower, affording 360° views of Lincoln... the view is absolutely spectacular! n

n Rediscover Lincolnshire’s Stately Homes

LINCOLNSHIRE has a triumvirate of stately homes, Belton, Belvoir and Burghley... and don’t overlook Grimsthorpe Castle and Gunby Hall, Normanby Hall or Tattershall Castle. Belton House’s parkland remains open for most of the year, so visitors can stretch their legs, enjoy the adventure playground and wander around some of the estate’s 10,000 acres. Meanwhile the mansion itself will reopen in March. Originally owned by the Pakenhams, the Manor was later sold to the Brownlow family in 1619 with the current Carolean style property created in 1685. Latterly the estate was utilised during both World Wars as a home to the 11th Machine Gun Corps and as RAF Belton Park. A few years later, King Edward VIII’s close relationship with Third Earl Brownlow Peregrine Cust saw the latter try – unsuccessfully – to counsel the monarch through the abdication crisis of 1936. The property has been in the custodianship of the National Trust since 1984. Belvoir Castle and its Engine Yard development is a great place to stretch your legs for decent shopping, a coffee or bistro dining. Visit the Castle and allow younger visitors to burn off some excess energy at the newly opened adventure playground. Also sporting a new adventure playground on a site adjacent to its sculpture garden is Burghley House. It’ll open officially this spring, and slightly older visitors to the estate will be able to enjoy a snowdrop walk from 14th February with Burghley’s head gardener Joe Whitehead as the spring bulbs make their appearance in Capability Brown’s gardens. Gunby Hall is currently working on a new project to create new interpretations and exhibitions in the upstairs rooms of the 42-room Grade I listed country house, built for the Massingberd family in 1700, whilst Tattershall Castle’s grounds are the site of lots of family-friendly activities in spring and summer. If you’ve not done so for a while, it’s worth traversing the steps of the imposing 15th century castle to enjoy breathtaking views of the Lincolnshire countryside from its roof, an ideal detour when visiting nearby Woodhall Spa. n

n Enjoying Natural Lincolnshire’s Landscapes

THE EAST COAST and the RSPB reserves of Frampton and Freiston are among the best places in the UK to enjoy some stunning bird life, from large groups of waders on the salt water lagoon at high tide to tree sparrows, yellowhammers and skylarks, all common around the reserve throughout the year. Mad march hares are prevalent in spring, ringed plovers in summer and then keen birders can see brent geese and hunting harriers in winter. Meanwhile, managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are 99 nature reserves, established from the organisation’s creation in 1948; it was among the first Wildlife Trust groups to be consolidated and created. Recommendations for a late winter/early spring walk are Gibraltar Point, Snipe Dales and in the north of the county Far Ings/Water Edge Nature Reserve. Don’t forget to take along a warm hat, flask of coffee, and a donation for the LWT! n

n Retail Therapy in Lincoln

FOR MANY YEARS, Lincoln’s flagship shopping area has been its Steep Hill and Bailgate area, and we stand by that recommendation, because the area’s wealth of independent businesses and traders are thriving as many town centres have otherwise experienced a downturn in footfall. The mix, vibrancy and quality of retailers is helping Steep Hill to buck the trend. Lincoln can also now boast the Cornhill Quarter with a £70m regeneration of the area yielding 150,000ft2 retail space, new transport hub and multi-storey car parking making it easier than every to explore the city. An ongoing regeneration and more retailers to come, plus the refurbishment of Lincoln’s Central Market due later in 2023 all mean an unprecedented retail experience for visitors to Lincoln. Further afield Springfields near Spalding is a great place to enjoy retail therapy, not matter what the weather, with 50 outlet stores and great places to eat and drink. n

2023 Dates for Your Diary

n The 2023 Lincolnshire Show: Taking place on the 21st and 22nd June, this year’s event will hope to replicate the success of 2022’s event, which returned to the county in spectacular style. www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk.

n The 155th Heckington Show: On Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th July the country’s largest village show will culminate in a grand firework concert. Other attractions include history, livestock as well as road and cycle races. www.heckingtonshow.org.uk.

n Woodhall Spa 1940s Festival On 8th and 9th July, Woodhall Spa recreates wartime Britain with demonstrations, parades, costumes, displays and flypasts all from WWII. www.woodhall-spa-40s-festival.com.

n Ladies Day at Market Rasen Races 22nd July will see the return of the Summer Plate Ladies Day at Market Rasen Racecourse. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.

n So Festival 2023 Returning following confirmation of funding for the next three years and status as National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status, the East Coast’s So Festival will return August with performance art and large-sale art installations. www.sofestival.org.

n Revesby Country Fair: Scheduled for 6th August, and now over 30 years old, with a special emphasis on equestrian and country lifestyle plus a packed main ring programme. www.revesbycountryfair.co.uk.

n Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials: On 31st August to 3rd September the parkland of Burghley House will welcome its annual five-star FEI fixture celebrating the very best international talent as horse and riders compete to be named this year’s winners. www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Spring in Lincolnshire...

2. Ballet in Boston

BLACKFRIARS in Boston welcomes Ballet Theatre UK in late January to perform Beauty & The Beast, with a stunning classical score and new choreography by Artistic Director, Christopher Moore, as well as new sets and costumes created especially for the production.

n Blackfriars, £19.50, 27th January, www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.

1. Lincoln’s Orchestra

LINCOLN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA will perform its 10th anniversary concert at Drill Hall on Sunday 15th January, conducted by Nic Fallowfield and featuring Delibes, Offenbach, Tchaikovsky and Berlioz, as well as Strauss. The group can trace its origins back to the 1880s.

n Sunday 15th January, 3pm, £14/adult, Lincoln Drill Hall, www.lincolndrill.co.uk.

4. Clemmie Churchill

WINSTON CHURCHILL was voted the number one in a poll to find the top 100 Britons, but behind the man himself was steadfast wife Clemmie. My Life with Winston explores her support and love over their 57 years of marriage, enabling the wartime Prime Minister to serve the country.

n Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre, Tues 31st Jan, guildhallartscentre.com.

3. Fleetwood Mac

DREAMS is the most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute and their latest tour is in demand with the recent loss of Christine McVie who wrote many of the group’s most popular hits. Performing at Grimsby Auditorium, expect Chain, Dreams, Go Your Own Way and Don’t Stop.

n Sunday 29th January 7.30pm, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

5. Lights Belvoir Action

BELVOIR CASTLE invites guests to enjoy its Spectacle of Light event from 27th January to 19th February, with a beautiful illuminated trail through the woodlands and around the glorious garden. Walk through the changing Light Curve, immerse yourself in the Carpet of Colour.

n January to 19th February, £19.20/ad, see www.belvoircastle.com.

6. Luxmuralis’ Life

LUXMURALIS is a group which specialises in creating dramatic light shows in buildings like churches and cathedrals with large scale coloured projections. Life is the latest iteration and comes to Lincoln Cathedral from 15th-18th February, with an immersive soundtrack.

n 15th-18th February, from 7.15pm, £8/adults, www.lincolncathedral.com.

7. The Good Life

LOUTH PLAYGOERS bring to life Tom & Barbara Good, taking on the Surbiton status quo with a dream of self-sufficiency. Amateur production by the group, who have obtained special permission of Jeremy Sams who has created a special stage play based on the popular 1970s sit com.

n Wednesday 8th - Saturday 11th March, £10.50, www.louthriverheadtheatre.com.

8. Kipps The Musical

SCUNTHORPE’S Musical Theatre Society presents its version of Kipps, the new musical based on Half a Sixpence. From hapless draper’s assistance to high society hero, Arthur Kipps is played brilliantly in this adaptation by the Society at Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre.

n 1st-4th March, 7.30, 2pm, tickets £14.70, www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk.

10. Countryside Lincs

LOOKING FORWARD to spring, the Lincolnshire Showground is hosting its Countryside Lincs show, which is aimed at making the countryside accessible to all. Nine zones for family fun including Food Zone, Farming Zone, Tractor Zone, Heritage Zone and more.

n Sunday 16th April, from 10am, www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

9. Museum of the Moon

LUKE JERRAM brings his largescale artwork to Skegness as Gaia, Museum of the Moon and Mars will be exhibited at the East Coast venue from 10th February to 24th March 2023. Each is a very large-scale, illuminated inflatable recreation of a planet in high resolution.

n Embassy Theatre, interactive Q&A on 10th March, www.embassytheatre.co.uk.