Lincolnshire’s big skies and warm welcome have long made it a perfect destination for a short break. But with 50 miles of coast in England, Lincolnshire also offers some of Britain’s best traditional British summer seaside hotspots – as well as a less well-known quieter rural coast, rich in wildlife.
Sensational summer fun will be on offer in Lincolnshire this year with a host of events ranging from stunning outdoor RAF Waddington International Airshow, Skegness Kite and Xfest extreme sports weekend and the popular outdoor Shakespeare theatre in the grounds of historic Tolethorpe Hall. Read on to find out more about this 2008 year’s summer sensations, events, festivals and attractions in Lincolnshire, UK. There’s something for everyone!
Summer Fun in Lincolnshire, England
From walking in the Wolds, whiling away summer days along the award-winning coastline, visiting grand stately homes or easing into autumn at one of Europe‘s top equestrian events, England’s fourth largest county has it all.
Family Fun in Seaside Skegness
For family fun, it’s hard to beat Skegness. And 2008 sees a very special celebration. Ever since the larger than life Jolly Fisherman mascot helped the Great Northern Railway launch its catchy marketing slogan ‘Skegness is SO Bracing’ in 1908 the town has been proving pretty good at attracting visitors.
A century on, this iconic mascot is still skipping along the seafront and Skegness is throwing a year-long celebration to mark his 100th birthday including a newly-unveiled ‘Jolly Trail’, a Birthday Party on 27th July and a free to enter exhibition in September.
Nestling besides the bustling family resorts is the Rural Coast offering visitors a different perspective of this county of contrasts. Head off the beaten track and discover nature reserves and miles of unspoilt coastline.
Summer Events, Shows & Festivals in Lincolnshire: Stamford, Egg Throwing, Waddington International Airshow, Kite and XFest and more!
Launching Lincolnshire’s sensational summer events are the popular annual plays at the Rutland Open Air Theatre in the grounds of historic Tolethorpe Hall, two miles north of Stamford. This year’s Stamford Shakespeare Company season runs from 9th June – 30th August and includes performances of Romeo & Juliet and Richard III.
June also sees the annual Lincolnshire Show (18th and 19th June), one of the finest agricultural shows in the country, as well as one of England’s strangest events – the World Egg Throwing Championships (29th June).
July offers aviation fans a chance to visit the Waddington International Airshow (5th and 6th July), home to the RAF’s biggest air show since 1995. Lincolnshire boasts a rich aviation history with scores of former wartime airfields. Today home to the RAF Red Arrows display team, it was also where the famous 617 Dambusters squadron was based and this year sees the 65th anniversary of their famous raid on the Ruhr dams in Germany during World War II.
Extreme sports fans can enjoy a weekend of water sports as well as a lantern beach party, live music, dance-offs and a surf wear fashion show at the Skegness Kite and XFest 2008 (11th-13th July).
More waterside celebrations are on offer in Lincoln. As well as spanning 1,000 years of history beneath the stunning Cathedral skyline, Lincoln hosts the free Waterfront Festival (19th and 20th July) with live music, water shows and street entertainment.
And high on the equestrian calendar is the annual meet in the grounds of Burghley House, one of England’s largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan age. Burghley Horse Trials 2008 (4th-7th September) also has exhibits and stands for a chance to shop, eat and learn more about country living.
More details of short breaks and the county’s summer line-up of events can be found at visitlincolnshire.com