Included Excursion
Lincoln (full day)
For our first visit we head to Lincoln for some free time at leisure. Lincoln is a compact city with a well-preserved medieval quarter full of quaint cobbled streets and a stunning cathedral. Built in 1088, it is one of Europe’s finest Gothic buildings filled with intricate detail and beautiful medieval decoration.
Included Excursion
Boston Market & Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre at RAF Coningsby (full day)
We head to Lincolnshire’s hidden gem of Boston, a pretty port town with a rich history and surrounded by stunning countryside. The open-air market here has been running every week for over 450 years, and with up to 172 stalls selling fresh produce, local delicacies, clothes, fabrics and gifts, it’s the perfect place to pick up a bargain or two!
Our next stop is RAF Coningsby, which was built just before the Second World War and was once the home of Squadron 617, more famously known as the Dambusters. Nowadays, this is where Typhoon pilots are trained, and the base is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert Stations which help to protect UK airspace. Coningsby also operates the legendary RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, consisting of six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, C47 Dakota, created to honour those who fell during the war. We find out more during our fascinating guided tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Centre and admire the historic aircraft on display.
Included Excursion
Springfields Festival Gardens & Mablethorpe (full day)
A whole host of horticultural delights await at Springfields Festival Gardens, where the Head Gardener takes on a different theme every year, with lovely blooms on display. The stunningly landscaped area features RHS Chelsea-style show gardens with designs from Charlie Dimmock, Kim Wilde and other celebrities, while other highlights include a wonderful Japanese Garden, Senses Garden, magical woodlands and much more.
Next, we visit the seaside town of Mablethorpe, which boasts two miles of Blue Flag golden sands, colourful beach huts and all the traditional attractions that make resorts such as this feel so nostalgic. Enjoy a stroll along the seafront, treat yourself to an ice cream, watch the world go by in one of the lovely cafés or head to the charming Seal Sanctuary & Wildlife Centre here.