THERE’S a county in England that’s been my secret holiday hotspot since I was a child – and now it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.
I love a trip to Lincolnshire, which has something for everyone, whether you love castles, coastline, charming cobbled streets or grand country houses.
So it came as no surprise when Lincoln Castle was given gold for its overall visitor experience by VisitEngland, while Lincoln Guildhall won acclamation in the best told story and tour categories.
My first visit to Lincoln was when my grandma took me to the famous Christmas market in the 1990s.
It was lovely wandering the cobbles near the cathedral, browsing the stalls.
More recently, the market became a victim of its own success and hasn’t run for a couple of years now, because the city became overwhelmed by the number of visitors thronging its historic streets.
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But there’s still loads to do in the county town over the festive season, with carol concerts galore at the cathedral, an illuminated light trail at the castle and hand-carved ice sculptures throughout the city centre on the first weekend in December.
Thirty miles away, on the border between Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, is Belvoir Castle, near Grantham, which was recognised by VisitEngland in the best told story category.
And Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby, halfway between Lincoln and Grantham, was named a hidden gem.
It must have been quite difficult to single out just a few attractions for recognition, as Lincolnshire has a lot to offer when it comes to affordable days out and holidays.
It’s always been a popular destination for Midlands folk heading to the coast, but seems to have slipped below the radar for much of the rest of the country.
I’ve been visiting Sutton on Sea, Mablethorpe and Skegness for as long as I can remember and I love to head back to that stretch of coast with my family, as it feels like a little slice of childhood nostalgia.
We used to stay in a chalet owned by a family friend, with a path down to the nearby beach.
Nowadays, we’re more likely to be found at Butlin’s in Skegness or Haven Golden Sands near Mablethorpe as we love the pools and family entertainment at both.
And more recently, I’ve discovered lots of great days out further inland.
If you want to give Lincolnshire a look, the area around Grantham is easily accessible and has lots to do.
Belton House has one of the biggest outdoor adventure playgrounds in the National Trust.
We often visit in the summer, when the gardens have extra family activities and the miniature train is usually running.
But lots of visitors head there in the winter for its award-winning light trail.
If you prefer smaller sites, I loved Woolsthorpe Manor, the birthplace of Isaac Newton where he is reputed to have discovered gravity when he watched an apple falling from a tree in the garden.
There’s a small hands-on science centre if you’ve got little ones who are keen to follow in Newton’s footsteps.
If you’re after somewhere to stay to explore everything the county has to offer, I really rate Away Resorts Tattershall Lakes, which is about 45 minutes from the coast, Lincoln and Grantham.
It’s a great base for days out, no matter which direction you drive.
It has lovely hot tub lodges, an indoor splash pad for little ones with a view out over the lake, a lakeside lido for summer swimming and an atmospheric spiegeltent for shows, which really comes into its own at Christmas time.
And just nearby is the Kinema in the Woods, which has been running in a converted sports pavilion for more than a century, making it one of the oldest cinemas in the country.
This quirky little spot is just one local that reflects the laid-back Lincolnshire way of life.
It’s lovely to see this much-loved Midlands mecca finally getting a bit of the limelight.
For more recommended spots by VisitEngland, here are the 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter.
Plus, Britain’s best hidden gems have been named from free museums to brewery tours.