Visit Lincoln: ‘Why Lincoln really is the best city to raise a family’

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Lincoln has been crowned the best UK city to raise a family, thanks to its outstanding schools, clean air quality, safety and average property price.

To uncover the best spots for families, a study conducted by Electric Ride on Cars analysed over 100 of the most populated towns and cities in England, ranking them on factors including the cost of a home, private childcare cost, and family-friendly attractions schools and safety levels. The blog published in House Beautiful magazine named Lincoln the number one city to bring up a family.

Here at Visit Lincoln, we know there are many more reasons why Lincoln has been awarded this accolade above all other UK cities. Our city of Lincoln and the surrounding area is rich in history, culture, and natural landscapes, offering things to do and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy all year round.

Boasting plenty of outdoor spaces to get active with the family and enjoy the fresh air living. It has always been a child-friendly destination with an abundance of family-friendly restaurants, cafés and tea rooms.

Our award-winning tourism attractions such as International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln Castle, Lincoln Cathedral, The Collection Museum, and The Museum of Lincolnshire Life provide hours of entertainment for the whole family. Activity and explorer packs filled with child-friendly guides as well as fun and games are available at most of our sites to keep little fingers entertained.

Lincoln even offers a Lincs Kids membership card to explore Lincoln and Lincolnshire with exclusive members’ discounts to over 50 local attractions, eateries and services. Lincs Kids focuses on Lincolnshire’s activities, classes, retailers, food and drink, services, health/fitness providers and green spaces.

The city regularly hosts an annual programme of free family activities in the city. Exploring cities with a family can be costly, but Lincoln is packed with free activities for the entire family to enjoy. Check out our guide of 30 free things to do in Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

On the outskirts of the city, families can find an array of child-friendly attractions, such as the magnificent Doddington Hall and Gardens, with its miles of gardens to explore and mouth-watering café and restaurant.

Rand Farm has long been a firm favourite for generations of families and never ceases to disappoint. Bransby Horses is also another well-loved attraction; this amazing charity provides a lovely family day out for all ages. The International Bomber Command Centre is a unique way for families to learn more about Lincoln’s central role in World War Two and reflect on the bravery and sacrifices so many made. It is an incredibly moving place.

Even in bad weather, Lincoln delivers! The city is an all-year destination with a wide variety of all-weather attractions where kids can let off steam, such as the fun-packed Jump INC. And for the older kids, Axed Lincoln, Lincoln’s urban axe throwing venue, or getting locked in a mysterious room for 60 minutes at Escape Lincoln provide much needed rainy-day entertainment.

What’s more, Lincoln is accessible for all types of families, too – with many of our partners across Lincoln and the surrounding area are specially equipped and trained to assist visitors with access needs. Many provide autism-friendly experiences, hearing loops, welcome guide dogs, provide audio-visual guides, and have changing-rooms facilities. Discover more and find accessible experiences in Lincoln here.

Our four-legged family members are very well looked after as well – Lincoln is also one of the top dog-friendly cities in the UK. So our pooches will be well and truly spoilt! In honour of this, Visit Lincoln launched a dog-friendly guide with the RSPCA in 2018 and each year; the list is growing of where you can go and what you can do in the city with your dogs.

Many of our shops, along with our attractions, are closed at the moment, but as the sector re-opens as we ease out of lockdown, rest assured they will continue to cater to families. The Waterside Shopping Centre and St Marks Shopping Centre provide regular activities and promotions for children, along with great retail, family-friendly facilities and lovely eateries.

School holidays are great for families in Lincoln, too. The city has seen many sculpture trails and family-friendly trails, and this year you can take part in the Lincoln Imp Trail. All-year-round you can also pick up a Mystery Treasure Trail from the Visitor Information Centre, or follow one of our digital trails around the city; a great way to have fun, learn about Lincoln’s history and heritage and get some exercise too.

Here at Visit Lincoln, we are incredibly proud of our amazing city; it really is the perfect destination to live, work or visit, and raise a family. We look forward to welcoming you back or showing you what else we have to offer if you decide to move here.