Top 10 Museums and Galleries in Lincolnshire
If you would like to get out in the county this month, why not visit one of the many museums and galleries there are to see?
Here are our top ten suggestions…
1. The Collection & Usher Gallery, Lincoln
James Ward Usher, the son of a local jeweller, devoted his life to business and collecting things. When he died, he left money for a museum to be built to house his collection. The Usher Gallery was opened in 1927, and the Collection, previously known as the City and County Museum, merged with the gallery in 2005. Visit www.thecollectionmuseum.com.
2. The story of Lincolnshire can be discovered at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life
This is the largest and most diverse museum in Lincolnshire.
The museum has built up a collection of over 250,000 objects that illustrate community, commercial, agricultural and industrial life. There’s even a working Victorian kitchen and printing press used on event days for you to see. This year there will be a Morris Exhibition and a Lincoln Longwool Sheep Exhibition too.The museum can be found in Lincoln and it’s free to enter. Visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/heritage-and-tourism.
3. The Bubblecar Museum…
There’s also a row of recreated shops for you to explore, memorabilia, a giftshop and a café.
There’s a rally field too offering a multitude of interesting runs for a range of different events with all facilities needed, and bubblecar rides for just £12 per person.
Entry to the museum is £4 for adults and £1 for children.
Visit www.bubblecarmuseum.co.uk.
The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby and the new International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln are both examples of the exceptional aviation heritage our county prides itself on.
The Aviation Heritage Centre is the largest Bomber Command museum, the only place to see a Lancaster Bomber on an original wartime airfield and have a taxy ride in one in the entire country.
The International Bomber Command Centre has a 31-metre tall memorial spire in recognition of the Bomber Command and there are walls surrounding it with the names of the men and women who served and supported the Bomber Command.
Both centres are definitely worth visiting if you want to learn more of Lincolnshire’s aviation history.
Visit www.lincsaviation.co.uk and www.internationalbcc.co.uk
5. Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre…
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Grimsby at the Fishing Heritage Centre. Discover the life of trawlermen and climb aboard the Ross Tiger trawler to experience the conditions aboard a trawler boat.
Fishing is often described as one of the hardest jobs in the world and the museum is there to show what life is actually like at sea. There is a café and a gift shop here too. Visit www.nelincs.gov.uk.
6. The Trolleybus Museum
The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft has over 60 historic trolleybuses in its collection which is the biggest collection of preserved trolleybuses in the world. many are in working order and on open days visitors can ride on them.
Most of the trolleybuses come from towns and cities around Britain, but there are also a few important examples from around Europe and from Canada and New Zealand. The Museum has a number of other historic vehicles for you to see too.
The museum is based at RAF Sandtoft; the cafe and trolleybus depot is where a massive hangar used to be and the route of the trolleybuses is using the old plane runways. Admission is £8 for adults, check the website for open days and up to date prices:- www.sandtoft.org.uk
7. Alford Manor House
Reputedly the largest thatched manor house in the country, Alford Manor House was built in 1611. The Museum of Rural Life is part of the Alford Manor House Complex. Situated at the rear of the 17th century thatched Manor, it houses many of the towns historic artefacts. Agriculture is very strongly represented as Alford is a farming town. One of the largest exhibits is a 1957 Massey Harris 780 special combine. Visit www.alfordmanorhouse.co.uk.
8. The National Centre for Craft and Design
The NCCD is the largest venue in England entirely dedicated to the exhibition, celebration and promotion of national and international craft and design. Under one roof, five gallery spaces showcase up to 20 exhibitions every year from the most innovative and accomplished artists to new and emerging talent. The gallery is based in Sleaford.
9. Navigation House and Cogglesford Watermill…
Navigation House is a unique Grade II listed canal company office with interactive exhibits detailing the history of travel and trade by canal.
Built in 1838, Navigation House stands in the old public wharf area of Sleaford, now known as Navigation Yard.
The building is thought to be the only one of its kind still in existence and has a heritage theme covering the early development of the River Slea and the river’s impact on Sleaford’s history.
The house has interactive exhibits for all ages showing the history of the building, as well as exhibitions and film footage for those who are fascinated by the history of trade and transport. There is also a small gift shop.
A pleasant walk along the river bank will take you past the National Centre for Craft and Design and to Cogglesford Watermill.
Visit www.naturalworldcentre.co.uk.
10. Tennyson Research Centre, part of the Lincolnshire Archives in Lincoln…
Alfred Lord Tennyson, who was born and raised in Lincolnshire, was the most famous poet of the Victorian age. He was the first ever poet to become a Lord and the first to amass considerable wealth from his writing. The most significant collection on Alfred Lord Tennyson in the world can be found in the Lincolnshire Archives in Lincoln. If you’re a self-confessed bookworm and want to know more about the famous poet, this is a treasure trove.
